A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Helsinki vs. Bern for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Helsinki or Bern?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Bern can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a environmentally conscious, waterfront, and active city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern

Bern is a charming, beautiful, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Helsinki and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Bern?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bern than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Bern, Bern has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bern is very popular for its historical sights, while Helsinki attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Helsinki is famous for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. It is also well known for The Zytglogge Clock Tower.

How is Helsinki different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Helsinki or Bern?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Helsinki and Bern.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bern. The city is filled with architecture and charming character. While you're in town make sure you visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Bern Cathedral.

Is the Food Better in Helsinki or Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Helsinki and Bern both to be nice destinations.

Helsinki has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bern area. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Helsinki or Bern Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Helsinki and Bern.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Helsinki. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Bern has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Helsinki or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a very popular place for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Bern is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town is filled with quaint alleys and sandstone buildings. It's a compact area that flows down a hill to the River Aare.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Bern?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Helsinki and Bern.

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bern. The old town is filled with boutique shops and unique markets. The main shopping streets are Spitalgasse and Marktgasse and popular items to buy include jewelry, art, and watches.

Is Helsinki or Bern Better for Families?

Both Helsinki and Bern are excellent to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Helsinki is very family-friendly. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

Bern is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This charming town has riverside parks and pools, a zoo, a waterpark, and kid-friendly museums that the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit nearby Gurten, a mountain with tobogganing, concerts, and a mini ski resort.

Is Helsinki or Bern Better for Couples?

Both Helsinki and Bern are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Couples visit Bern frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Helsinki or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Bern. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Plenty of backpackers visit Helsinki. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Is Helsinki or Bern Better for Students?

Helsinki is a well-known place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Helsinki is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Bern is not popular with students.

Is Helsinki or Bern Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Helsinki and Bern.

The public transit in Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Bern offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Is Helsinki or Bern a more walkable city?

Bern is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Bern is a very walkable city. It's fun to explore the old town on foot. It is compact enough to that you can see all of the highlights in a few hours.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

For even more information, also check out Is Helsinki Worth Visiting? and Is Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bern or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Helsinki and Bern. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Helsinki than in Bern. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bern.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bern than Helsinki 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 Bern.

One day in Helsinki or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Helsinki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful city of Bern offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Bern?

Helsinki is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bern is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bern, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Bern?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the environmentally conscious destination of Helsinki. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bern is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Bern?

The active city of Helsinki offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Bern is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Helsinki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Helsinki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Helsinki 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern than you might in Helsinki.

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Bern?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Bern, 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.

When is the best time to visit Helsinki or Bern?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Helsinki or Bern in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Bern. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Helsinki is generally cooler than Bern. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Helsinki this time of the year. In the summer, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Bern. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in July than Bern. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Bern in the Autumn?

Both Bern and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Helsinki is much colder than Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Bern during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Bern. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Helsinki or Bern in the Winter?

Both Bern and Helsinki during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bern can be very cold. Helsinki can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Bern. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in January than Bern. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Bern in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Bern. The spring months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Bern during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Bern. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bern and Helsinki