A Travel Price Comparison for Switzerland Lausanne vs. Bern for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Lausanne or Bern?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lausanne 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: Lausanne or Bern?

Lausanne

Located on Lake Geneva, Lausanne is the capital city of French-speaking region of Vaud, Switzerland. The slopes of Lake Geneva's shores are known for growing wine, while the city of Lausanne sprawls across three hills. The city is also home to the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Museum, and lakeshore Olympic Park, as well as an old town that dates to medieval times.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Bern or Lausanne?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lausanne is $232, while the average daily cost in Bern is $254. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lausanne and Bern in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lausanne $139
    Bern $164
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lausanne $278
    Bern $328
Compare Hotels in Lausanne and Bern

Looking for a hotel in Lausanne 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.

Hotels in Lausanne


Hotels in Bern


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: Lausanne Hotel Prices and Bern Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lausanne $41
    Bern $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lausanne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lausanne:

  • Limousine Transfer & Chaplin's world visit: $111
  • Private Transfer: Lausanne to Geneva Airport (GVA): $249

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:

  • Premium Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Interlaken: $250
  • Geneva: Premium 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Bern: $277
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Bern Belp Airport to Basel City - One Way: $586
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Bern Belp Airport to Bern City - One Way: $105
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Bern Belp Airport to Zurich City - One Way: $661
  • Private Transfer from Bern City Center to Zurich City Center: $318
  • Private transfer from Bern City to Zurich Airport: $416

Is it cheaper to fly into Lausanne or Bern?

Prices for flights to both Bern and Lausanne 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
    Lausanne $63
    Bern $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lausanne

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

  • Swiss Dinner in an Igloo tour with transport & shopping opportunities: $173
  • Lavaux Panoramic Dinner Tour: $201
  • Lavaux: Panoramic Dinner Experience: $251

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lausanne $38
    Bern $34

Tours and Activities in Lausanne

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

  • Medieval Tour this historic city & its architecture on an audio walk: $5.20
  • The Olympic Museum Entrance Ticket in Lausanne: $21
  • Lavaux Panoramic Tour from Lausanne: $59
  • Art and Culture Tour with a Local Guide: $83
  • Riviera Col du Pillon & Glacier 3000: High Level Experience Swiss Alps from Lausanne: $91
  • Photogenic City Tour: $103
  • Glacier 3000 High Level Experience in the Swiss Alps from Lausanne: $114
  • Riviera line to Vevey, Chaplin, Montreux, Lavaux tour and optional cruise from Lausanne: $130
  • Architectural Walking Tour: $135
  • Riviera tour with long cruise in Montreux and Lavaux Unesco Tour from Lausanne: $156
  • Past and Present Walking Tour: $162
  • Montreux: Swiss Fondue Experience with Panoramic Tour: $175

Tours and Activities in Bern

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:

  • Tour with iPod Audio Guide: $20
  • Bern Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $45
  • 1-Hour Must-See Express Tour: $72
  • Tirano to St. Moritz: Bernina Red Train Return Day-Ticket: $79
  • Art and Culture Tour with a Local Guide: $83
  • Instagram Highlights Tour: $83
  • Bern Capital City Small Group Tour: $90
  • Best Introduction Tour of Bern with a Local: $91
  • 2-Hour Historical Walking Tour: $162
  • Schilthorn Piz Gloria (James Bond Location) Small Group Tour from Bern: $179
  • GAILY TOUR in BERN - Gay & Lesbian Tour: $187
  • Bern Capital City Private Tour: $194

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lausanne $27
    Bern $27

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Lausanne and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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Compare Hotel Prices
Kayak

Hotel Angleterre & Residence From $206 Chateau d'Ouchy From $197 Best Western Plus Hotel Mirabeau From $138 Hotel de la Paix From $143 Hotel des Voyageurs Boutique From $174
View Hotels in Lausanne

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Lausanne vs. Bern Travel Comparison

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