A Travel Price Comparison for Switzerland Lucerne vs. Bern for Attractions, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Lucerne 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 Lucerne 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.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a scenic, active, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of 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 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.

Lucerne and Bern: Pros and Cons

How is Lucerne different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Lucerne or Bern Better for Museums and Historical Sights?

You'll find a number of museums and attractions in both Bern and Lucerne.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Lucerne. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.

Bern offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and Bern Cathedral.

Is Lucerne or Bern Better for Food?

Both Lucerne and Bern offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

Lucerne is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food is expensive around town, but there are some unique specialties like fondue, brätwurst, and of course, chocolate. It's nice to sit out by the river and enjoy a hearty meal while you soak up the view.

Bern offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Lucerne or Bern Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is comparable in Lucerne and Bern.

Many people head to Lucerne for the nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Lucerne or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the old town areas in both Lucerne and Bern.

Lucerne has an old town worth visiting. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Is Lucerne or Bern Better for Shopping?

If you're looking to go shopping, Lucerne and Bern both offer plenty of spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lucerne. The city is filled with high end shopping opportunities with everything from boutique shops to major chains. Popular items to purchase in town include chocolate, watches, jewelry, and Swiss army knives.

Bern is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Lucerne or Bern Better for Families?

Both Lucerne and Bern are family-friendly destinations.

Lucerne offers lots of family activities. The city is filled with history and there are a number of playgrounds around town. If the weather's warm, you can also take a swim in Lake Lucerne. Many kids enjoy escaping the city and doing a day trip to the amazing Mt. Titlis, or other peaks that are nearby.

Bern is 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.

Is Lucerne or Bern Better for Couples?

Lucerne and Bern both fun destinations for a couple.

Lucerne is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city has many pleasant square, excellent restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere that makes for a great couple's getaway. There are a number of nice hotels to choose from as well.

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.

Is Lucerne or Bern Better for Public Transit?

Lucerne and Bern both offer public transit to get you around.

While Lucerne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Public transit in Bern is fairly effecient and thorough. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Is Lucerne or Bern a more walkable city?

Lucerne and Bern are similar when it comes to walkability.

Lucerne is a somewhat walkable city. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

Bern is very walkable. 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.

Should I spend more time in Bern or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lucerne and Bern. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Lucerne is 1-3 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Bern is 1-3 days.

One day in Lucerne or Bern?

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

In Bern, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Lucerne or Bern?

Lucerne 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.

In Bern, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bern has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Bern?

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

Bern is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Lucerne or Bern?

The scenic city of Lucerne 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bern. 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.

When is the best time to visit Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Bern in the Summer?

Both Bern and Lucerne during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lucerne is around the same temperature as Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lucerne in July are around 21°C (70°F), and Bern is about 21°C (70°F).

In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lucerne. In the summer, Lucerne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bern. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Bern. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Bern. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Lucerne is generally around the same temperature as Bern. Temperatures in Lucerne average around 13°C (56°F), and Bern stays around 13°C (55°F).

Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bern during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Bern. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lucerne or Bern in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Bern. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bern can be very cold during winter. Lucerne can get quite cold in the winter. Lucerne is a little warmer than Bern in the winter. The temperature in Lucerne is usually 3°C (37°F) in January, and Bern stays around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Bern. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Bern. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Bern in the Spring?

Both Bern and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Lucerne is around the same temperature as Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lucerne in April are around 12°C (53°F), and Bern is about 11°C (52°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Bern during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Bern. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bern and Lucerne