A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Bern for Old Town, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Kaunas or Bern?

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 Kaunas and Bern. 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.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a young, vibrant, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife and food.

Bern

Bern is a historic, charming, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kaunas and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Bern?

You'll generally find more things to do in Kaunas than Bern. Kaunas is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Kaunas is better known for its big city activities, while Bern is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Bern is more touristy than Kaunas and is known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Kaunas is well known for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town. Also, Kaunas is famous for The Kaunas Old Town.

How is Kaunas different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bern is notable for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Kaunas and Bern.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kaunas area. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bern. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Kaunas or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Kaunas and Bern.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Kaunas or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bern. 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.

Kaunas is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Bern?

Bern is notable for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

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.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Bern Better for Families?

Bern is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Bern Better for Couples?

Bern is notable for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Bern is a very popular place to visit for couples. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is notable for backpackers. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bern is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 budget travelers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Is Kaunas or Bern Better for Students?

Kaunas is a popular place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Kaunas is a good city to visit for students. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is notable for its public transit. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bern. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Kaunas or Bern a more walkable city?

Bern is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

Bern is a very walkable destination. 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.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

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

Should I spend more time in Bern or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Bern?

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

Families should spend more time in Bern than Kaunas. 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 Kaunas. 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kaunas. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Kaunas or Bern?

Kaunas 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 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 Kaunas or Bern?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Kaunas or Bern?

The cultural city of Kaunas 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Bern. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, 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 Kaunas and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Kaunas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kaunas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kaunas 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 Kaunas.

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

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Bern?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Bern?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kaunas or Bern in the Summer?

Both Bern and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kaunas is cooler than Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kaunas in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Bern averages at about 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Bern. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kaunas. Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bern during summer. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Bern. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kaunas or Bern in the Autumn?

Both Bern and Kaunas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kaunas is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 8°C (46°F), and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Bern. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in October than Bern. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Bern in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Bern. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bern can be very cold during winter. Kaunas can get quite cold in the winter. Kaunas is much colder than Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Bern during winter. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Bern. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kaunas or Bern in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Bern. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the activities around the city during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Kaunas is much colder than Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kaunas in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Bern averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bern. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in April than Bern. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bern and Kaunas