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

Should you visit London or Bern?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between London and Bern can help you decide which place is right for you.

London

London is a historic, diverse, and iconic 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, live music, and food.

Bern

Bern is a cultural, historic, and charming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

London and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Bern?

You'll generally find more things to do in London than Bern. London is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. London is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Bern is more popular for its historical sights. London is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. Also, London is famous for Big Ben. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

Big Ben

How is London different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

London 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 London that are not to be missed. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

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 London or Bern Better for Theater?

London is renowned for theatre. However, Bern is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in London draw crowds from around the world. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Bern is not a theatre destination.

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

London is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, London makes for a great culinary experience. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

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 London or Bern Better for Nightlife?

London is renowned for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

London is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

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

Is London or Bern Better for Music?

London is renowned for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

London is a world class music destination. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is London or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, London does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Bern?

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

London is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

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 London or Bern Better for Christmas?

London is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Bern does not offer Christmas activities.

London is a world class destination during the Christmas season. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Bern does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Bern Better for Christmas Markets?

London is renowned for its Christmas markets. However, Bern does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel to London specifically to enjoy its famous Christmas markets. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Bern does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Bern Better for Families?

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

As it has a large number of activities for kids, London is a very family-friendly destination. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bern is very family-friendly. 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 London or Bern Better for Couples?

London is renowned for romance. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

London makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is London or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

London is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

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.

Is London or Bern Better for Students?

London is renowned for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Many students frequent London. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

London 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.

London has a great public transit system. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

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

Is London or Bern a more walkable city?

London is renowned for its walkability. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around London on foot. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

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 London Worth Visiting? and Is Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bern or London?

How long in London or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both London and Bern. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in London than in Bern. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bern.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London 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 London.

One day in London or Bern?

London is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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 London or Bern?

London is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. 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 London or Bern?

London is a historic 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.

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 London or Bern?

London is a historic city where you can fill many days. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.

When comparing the travel costs between London 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.

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

Which is Bigger, London or Bern?

London has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of London 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 London 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 London or Bern in the Summer?

Both Bern and London during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, London often gets less sunshine than Bern. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in July than Bern. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Bern. The autumn months attract visitors to London because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

In October, London is generally around the same temperature as Bern. Daily temperatures in London average around 12°C (53°F), and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

London usually receives less sunshine than Bern during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, London usually receives more rain than Bern. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Bern in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to London as well as Bern. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to London this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. It's quite cold in London in the winter. London is much warmer than Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in London averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, London often gets less sunshine than Bern. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.

London usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bern. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Bern in the Spring?

Both Bern and London are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, London is cooler than Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in London in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Bern averages at about 11°C (52°F).

London usually receives less sunshine than Bern during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives less rain than Bern. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bern and London