Which place is cheaper, Bern or Hofn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hofn or Bern?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Bern, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Hofn or Bern?
Hofn
Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.
Bern
The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHofn $151Bern $249
The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $151, while the average daily cost in Bern is $249. 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 Hofn and Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHofn $97Bern $161
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHofn $194Bern $322
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Bern
Looking for a hotel in Hofn or Bern? 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.
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: Hofn Hotel Prices and Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hofn $27Bern $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Transfer from Bern to Zurich with 2h of Sightseeing: $300
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $227
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $213
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $191
- Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Bern?
Prices for flights to both Bern and Hofn 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
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Food Meals for one dayHofn $36Bern $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.
- Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $57
- Bern Food Market: Brunch & Local Food Tour: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hofn $18Bern $34
Tours and Activities in Hofn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.
- Ice Exploration Tour from the Glacier Lagoon: $129
- Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $160
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
- Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $185
- Blue Ice Cave Adventure: $284
- Private Iceland Aurora Hunting and Photography Tour from Hofn: $291
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- 007 Elegance:Exclusive Private Tour to Schilthorn from Bern: $627
- Alpine Heights: Small Group Tour to Jungfraujoch from Bern: $592
- Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Bern : Highlights & Hidden Gems Walking Tour: $80
- Bern : Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide (Private tour): $59
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.95
- Bern Historical UNESCO Old Town Private Tour: $161
- Bern Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $60
- Bern Old City Walking Tour: $459
- Bern Old Town - Private Historic Walking Tour: $534
- Bern Private Walking Tour: $334
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHofn $12Bern $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hofn and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Hofn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hofn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hofn 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 Hofn.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hofn Expensive? and Is Bern Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hofn or Bern?
Bern has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn 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 Hofn 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 Hofn or Bern in the Summer?
Both Bern and Hofn during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Hofn is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 9°C (48°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Hofn usually gets more rain in July than Bern. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHofn 9°C (48°F)Bern 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Bern in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Bern. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Hofn can be very cold during autumn. Hofn is much colder than Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 4°C (40°F) in October, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Hofn gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hofn usually receives more rain than Bern. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHofn 4°C (40°F)Bern 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Bern in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Bern. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year.
It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. The weather in Hofn can be very cold. In the winter, Hofn is much colder than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hofn in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F).
Hofn receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hofn usually gets more rain in January than Bern. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHofn -0°C (31°F)Bern 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Bern in the Spring?
Both Bern and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Hofn in the spring. In April, Hofn is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 2°C (36°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In April, Hofn usually receives more rain than Bern. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHofn 2°C (36°F)Bern 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Bern and Hofn
| Hofn | Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.