Which place is cheaper, Bern or Minsk?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Minsk or Bern?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minsk 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: Minsk or Bern?
Minsk
Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMinsk $64Bern $249
The average daily cost (per person) in Minsk is $64, while the average daily cost in Bern is $249. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Minsk and Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMinsk $32Bern $161
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMinsk $64Bern $322
Compare Hotels in Minsk and Bern
Looking for a hotel in Minsk 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.
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: Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Minsk $12Bern $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $191
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $213
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $227
- Private Transfer from Bern to Zurich with 2h of Sightseeing: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Minsk or Bern?
Prices for flights to both Bern and Minsk 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
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Food Meals for one dayMinsk $21Bern $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.
- Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $57
- Bern Food Market: Brunch & Local Food Tour: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Minsk $20Bern $34
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.95
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.43
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.56
- Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $9.99
- Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- City Sightseeing Self-Guided Walking Tour Game: $15
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMinsk $14Bern $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Minsk and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Minsk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Minsk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Minsk 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 Minsk.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Minsk Expensive? and Is Bern Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Minsk or Bern?
Minsk has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Minsk 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 Minsk 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 Minsk or Bern in the Summer?
Both Bern and Minsk are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Minsk is generally around the same temperature as Bern. Daily temperatures in Minsk average around 19°C (66°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Bern. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Minsk. Minsk usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bern during summer. Minsk gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Minsk usually receives more rain than Bern. Minsk gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMinsk 19°C (66°F)Bern 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Minsk or Bern in the Autumn?
Both Bern and Minsk during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Minsk is much colder than Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the autumn, Minsk often gets less sunshine than Bern. Minsk gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.
Minsk usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bern. Minsk gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMinsk 8°C (47°F)Bern 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Minsk or Bern in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Minsk and Bern. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year.
It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. The weather in Minsk can be very cold. In the winter, Minsk is much colder than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Minsk in January average around -5°C (22°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F).
Minsk usually receives less sunshine than Bern during winter. Minsk gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Minsk usually receives less rain than Bern. Minsk gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMinsk -5°C (22°F)Bern 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Minsk or Bern in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Minsk as well as Bern. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty.
In April, Minsk is generally cooler than Bern. Daily temperatures in Minsk average around 8°C (46°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the spring, Minsk often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bern. Minsk gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.
Minsk usually gets less rain in April than Bern. Minsk gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMinsk 8°C (46°F)Bern 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Bern and Minsk
| Minsk | Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (22°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (25°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (33°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (47°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.