A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kuala Lumpur vs. Bern for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur 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.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a welcoming, friendly, and diverse city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern

Bern is a charming, beautiful, and cultural city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Kuala Lumpur and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Bern?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kuala Lumpur than Bern, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kuala Lumpur is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Bern is known for its historical sights. Kuala Lumpur is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. It is also home to The Petronas Twin Towers. Bern is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

The Petronas Twin Towers

How is Kuala Lumpur different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kuala Lumpur or Bern?

Kuala Lumpur is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Kuala Lumpur that are not to be missed. The most notable landmark in the city is the famed Petronas Twin Towers, but other popular sights include Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the National Museum.

Many visitors head to Bern specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Kuala Lumpur or Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kuala Lumpur is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Kuala Lumpur is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The food is influenced by the populations that live here and you'll find a lot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Spicy curries and noodle dishes are very common. Street food is also a mainstay in this city and it's an experience to wander the market streets and sample dishes from the different vendors.

Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Kuala Lumpur is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Kuala Lumpur offers plenty to do in the evening. Rooftop bars and lounges are popular hangout spots after the sun sets. For classy pubs and clubs head to the Golden Triangle district, but if drinking and partying isn't your thing, the city's night markets are not to be missed.

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

Is Kuala Lumpur or Bern Better for its Old Town?

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

Kuala Lumpur does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Bern?

Kuala Lumpur is renowned for shopping. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Kuala Lumpur is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with shopping malls, and a big appeal of shopping in this city is the very affordable prices. Some of the most popular shopping malls are Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers as well as the malls in the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas.

Bern is well-known for its shopping. 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 Kuala Lumpur or Bern Better for Families?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Bern are superb family-friendly destinations.

Kuala Lumpur is a very family-friendly destination. This family-friendly city includes a surprising number of opportunities to experience wildlife. There's an aquarium, petting zoos, and places to see the wild monkeys. There are also large playgrounds including one by the Petronas Towers. Kids will also enjoy exploring the Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Park, and the Forest Eco Park.

Bern is a very kid-friendly city. 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 Kuala Lumpur or Bern Better for Couples?

Kuala Lumpur and Bern both superb destinations for a couple.

Kuala Lumpur makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This city has diverse restaurants and a number of luxury hotels at affordable prices. For couples who enjoy romance on a budget, this is a good city.

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 Kuala Lumpur or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kuala Lumpur and Bern are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Kuala Lumpur is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular stop for backpackers on the Southeast Asia circuit. It's modern and comfortable but also affordable and diverse. The city has a number of affordable hostels, but it also has a more laid back and authentic vibe than you'll find in many other Southeast Asian cities. The city also isn't as touristy as some other cities, so the people are down to Earth and helpful without being jaded by all of the vacationers.

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

Is Kuala Lumpur or Bern Better for Students?

Kuala Lumpur is renowned for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Kuala Lumpur. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city for international students.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

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

Kuala Lumpur has a great public transit system. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.

The public transit in Bern can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Bern a more walkable city?

Kuala Lumpur and Bern are superb when it comes to walkability.

Kuala Lumpur is very walkable. Traffic can be congested, but there are many wide sidewalks and pedestrian areas around town. The River of Life waterfront area offers nice paths that connect many tourist areas.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Bern or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kuala Lumpur and Bern. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than in Bern. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Kuala Lumpur, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bern.

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

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

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

One day in Kuala Lumpur or Bern?

Kuala Lumpur is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Bern, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historic city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Kuala Lumpur or Bern?

Kuala Lumpur 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 fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Kuala Lumpur or Bern?

Kuala Lumpur is a welcoming big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Kuala Lumpur or Bern?

The friendly city of Kuala Lumpur 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 popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, 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 Kuala Lumpur and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur is in Asia and Bern is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.

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

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Bern?

Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur or Bern?

Bern has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Bern in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Bern. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences.

Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, 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 Kuala Lumpur this time of the year. In the summer, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Bern. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.

Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in July than Bern. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Bern in the Autumn?

Both Bern and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Bern averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Bern during autumn. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Bern. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Bern in the Winter?

Both Bern and Kuala Lumpur during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bern can be very cold during winter. In January, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Bern. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Bern. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Bern. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Bern in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Bern. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty.

Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Bern during spring. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Bern. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bern and Kuala Lumpur