A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Bressanone for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Geneva or Bressanone?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Bressanone. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a professional, classy, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bressanone

Bressanone is a picturesque, idyllic, and charming town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food.

Geneva and Bressanone: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Big city activities
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less family-friendly
  • Public transit not as usable


Is there more to do in Geneva or Bressanone?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Geneva than Bressanone, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Geneva is better known for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Bressanone is more popular for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Geneva is well known for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. Also, Geneva is famous for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Bressanone is well known for its charming old town and its idyllic setting.

How is Geneva different from Bressanone?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bressanone and Geneva. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Geneva or Bressanone?

Geneva
Bressanone

Geneva is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bressanone is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Bressanone is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most visitors simply enjoy soaking up the town's atmosphere, but sights around town include The Royal Palace, the cathedral, and Franzenfeste Fortress.


Is the Food Better in Geneva or Bressanone? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Geneva
Bressanone

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Bressanone can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Bressanone has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Despite its small size, there are many family run restaurants that make use of ingredients from local farms. The town also hosts a few culinary festivals throughout the year.

Is Geneva or Bressanone Better for Nightlife?

Geneva
Bressanone

Geneva is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Bressanone is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Geneva has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Bressanone doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a small town with some quaint bars and pubs where you can enjoy a beer and chat with other visitors.

Is Geneva or Bressanone Better for its Old Town?

Geneva
Bressanone

Bressanone is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bressanone. The cathedral and beautiful old buildings make this a charming place to explore.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.


Is Geneva or Bressanone Better for Hiking?

Geneva
Bressanone

Bressanone is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Geneva is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Bressanone. There's a huge variety of hikes in the surrounding countryside. You can walk alongside the river, head into the foothills, or explore the nearby vineyards.

Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Bressanone?

Geneva
Bressanone

Geneva is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Bressanone is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Geneva is a world class destination for shoppers. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bressanone. The medieval streets are lined with family-owned shops, boutique clothing stores, and other unique local shopping opportunities.

Is Geneva or Bressanone Better for Families?

Geneva
Bressanone

Geneva is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Bressanone is a town with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

For families, Bressanone is not always the best place to visit. It's a great town to take a lunch break. The kids will enjoy wandering the alley-like streets. There's a river through town and great views of the Alps.


Is Geneva or Bressanone Better for Couples?

Geneva
Bressanone

Bressanone is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Bressanone frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This charming town is seeped in romance. The quaint streets and surrounding mountain setting make this an idyllic place to take a romantic trip.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Geneva or Bressanone Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Geneva
Bressanone

Bressanone is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bressanone. There's a couple of hostels and cheaper guesthouses in town, so backpackers can enjoy a few days in this picturesque alpine town.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Bressanone Better for Students?

Geneva
Bressanone

Geneva is a great destination for students. However, Bressanone is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Geneva. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Bressanone is not popular with students.


Is Geneva or Bressanone Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva
Bressanone

Geneva is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Bressanone is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Geneva can get you around easily. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

While Bressanone offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are trains and buses throughout the region.

Is Geneva or Bressanone a more walkable city?

Geneva
Bressanone

Geneva and Bressanone both are very good when exploring on foot.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

Bressanone is a very walkable city. The town is compact and small enough to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Bressanone Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bressanone or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Bressanone?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Geneva or Bressanone to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Geneva than Bressanone because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 1-2 days is enough time in Bressanone.

Families should spend more time in Geneva than Bressanone. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Geneva, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bressanone than Geneva. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bressanone that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bressanone than Geneva if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bressanone.


  • How many days in Geneva or Bressanone? Ideal Length of Stay
    Geneva 1-3 
    Bressanone 1-2

One day in Geneva or Bressanone?

When visiting Geneva, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Geneva, one day is sufficent for most.

Bressanone might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.


A weekend in Geneva or Bressanone?

When visiting Geneva, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Bressanone is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Geneva or Bressanone?

Geneva, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bressanone. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or Bressanone?

Geneva is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bressanone is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Bressanone or Geneva?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Geneva is $210, while the average daily cost in Bressanone is $148. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Geneva and Bressanone in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Geneva $145
    Bressanone $77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Geneva $290
    Bressanone $154
Compare Hotels in Geneva and Bressanone

Looking for a hotel in Geneva or Bressanone? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Geneva


Hotels in Bressanone


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Geneva Hotel Prices and Bressanone Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Geneva $9.38
    Bressanone $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Geneva

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:

  • Airport Transfer Geneva Airport to Villars sur Ollon: $361
  • Airport transfer - Geneva city center: $134
  • Arrival Transfer from Geneva Airport GVA to Geneva by Sedan: $73
  • Departure Transfer from Geneva to Geneva Airport GVA by MiniVan: $95
  • From Private Transfer to Chamonix Mont Blanc: $267
  • Geneva Airport (GVA) to Chamonix (FR) - Arrival Private Transfer: $131
  • Geneva Airport (GVA) to Chamonix (FR) - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $262
  • Geneva Airport (GVA) to Courchevel (FR) Arrival Private Transfer: $174
  • Geneva Airport (GVA) to Geneva - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • Geneva Airport (GVA) to Lausanne - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
  • Geneva Airport (GVA) to Meribel (FR) - Arrival Private Transfer: $195
  • Geneva Airport (GVA) to Montreux - Arrival Private Transfer: $135

Is it cheaper to fly into Geneva or Bressanone?

Prices for flights to both Bressanone and Geneva change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Geneva $52
    Bressanone $50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Geneva

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Geneva.

  • Geneva City Tour with Cooking Class: $144
  • City Tour and Fondue Cooking Class: $185
  • Food tour in Geneva: $2,406

Typical Food Prices in Bressanone

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bressanone:


  • Gelato
    $2.36

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Geneva $30
    Bressanone $21

Tours and Activities in Geneva

Here are a few actual costs in Geneva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Escape Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Geneva Lakeside Stroll: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • From Brunswick Monument to the Botanical Garden: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Geneva Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $8.02
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • The Many Faces of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $11
  • International District Self-Guided City Sightseeing: $15
  • Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $15
  • Geneva (International District) City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Geneva $22
    Bressanone $28

Typical Alcohol Prices in Bressanone

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Bressanone:


  • 1/2 Litre of wine
    $9.64
  • 2 Glasses of Wine
    $7.50


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Bressanone, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Bressanone much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bressanone would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bressanone and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Bressanone.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Geneva Expensive? and Is Bressanone Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Geneva or Bressanone?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bressanone. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Bressanone, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.