A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Murren vs. Bregenz for Couples, Food, Families, and Nightlife

Should you visit Murren or Bregenz?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Murren and Bregenz can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Murren

Murren is a breathtaking, stunning, and serene town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, skiing, and food.

Bregenz

Bregenz is a medieval, vibrant, and cultural city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Murren and Bregenz: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Murren or Bregenz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Murren than Bregenz, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Murren is better known for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Bregenz is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping. Murren is more touristy than Bregenz and is popular for its spectacular mountain views, authentically local atmosphere, and world class hiking and skiing. Also, Murren is famous for Lauterbrunnen Valley. Bregenz is well known for its lakefront setting, its rich culture, and its fun-filled festivals.

How is Murren different from Bregenz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Murren or Bregenz Better for Skiing?

Murren
Bregenz

Murren is terrific for skiing. However, Bregenz is not a skiing destination.

Murren is among the world's best ski destinations. If you're visiting in the winter, you're in luck because the scenery and the slopes are both amazing. The top of Schilthorn is quickly accessed from the gondola and ski lifts, and heading down you'll find some difficult runs along with easier slopes. Enjoy your apres-ski in the village with cozy drinks and a dinner of fondue. And with more time, you can easily get across the valley to the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area, too.

Bregenz is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Murren or Bregenz?

Murren
Bregenz

Bregenz is a city with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Murren is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Bregenz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The sights are split between the Lower Town and the Upper Town. There's a long history with many historic buildings and museums that you can explore.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Murren. You don't visit this area for the museums, so if you're looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day, your options are limited.

Is the Food Better in Murren or Bregenz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Murren
Bregenz

Bregenz is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Murren is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bregenz makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find many restaurants around town that serve local dishes. Popular options include fish dishes, roasted venison, and baked rabbit. The food is hearty and often served with filling sauces. Cheese platters are also popular.

Murren has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. If you can afford the prices, you'll enjoy some great meals of fondue or local steak. There aren't many restaurants in town and some of the best are attached to the hotels. Those on a tight budget will be frustrated because cheap eats are hard to come by. You may as well pay a little more and enjoy a high quality, fine dining experience.

Is Murren or Bregenz Better for Nightlife?

Murren
Bregenz

Bregenz is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Murren is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Bregenz has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find bars and clubs around town as well as a lively beach bar by the lake.

Murren doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet and residential town that is more about the daytime activities than the nightlife scene.


Is Murren or Bregenz Better for its Old Town?

Murren
Bregenz

Bregenz is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Murren does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bregenz to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with medieval buildings that each have a fascinating and sometimes dark story to tell.

Murren does not have a historic old town.

Is Murren or Bregenz Better for Hiking?

Murren
Bregenz

Murren is terrific for hiking. However, Bregenz is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Murren specifically for its hiking. Hiking trails pass right through the town, connecting the many alpine towns in the area. There are hikes for all levels, and each offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, which include Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch.

Bregenz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Murren or Bregenz?

Murren
Bregenz

Bregenz is a city with good options for shopping. However, Murren is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

Bregenz is a great destination for shopping. A mix of international brands and local shops make shopping a fun and diverse experience. Wandering the streets and popping in the selection of retail stores is a fun way to spend the afternoon.

Shopping in Murren can be found for those interested. Aside from a food market or two, there aren't many shops in town and prices for everything are a bit high.


Is Murren or Bregenz Better for Families?

Murren
Bregenz

Both Murren and Bregenz are superb to visit with kids.

Murren is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly activities are everywhere in this amazing town. Take the Allmendhubel Funicular Train and explore one of the coolest playgrounds ever! Family-friendly trails abound and outdoor adventures with spectacular views are fun for everyone.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bregenz is very family-friendly. Its location on Lake Constance means that there are a wide range of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. There are also a number of kid-friendly museums, zoos, and other places that will inspire young minds.

Is Murren or Bregenz Better for Couples?

Murren
Bregenz

Murren is terrific for couples. Also, Bregenz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Murren has plenty to offer. This small town offers charming hotels, hidden viewpoints, and romantic hikes through the Alps. If you want to experience an authentic side to the Alps, then stay in this town and explore the many hiking trails in the area.

Bregenz is a very popular place to visit for couples. The lakefront setting offers a romantic atmosphere for couples. There's a lakefront promenade that you can stroll down as well as several great museums and some interesting historical sights.

Is Murren or Bregenz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Murren
Bregenz

Bregenz is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Murren is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bregenz is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels around town that make this an easy stop off for backpackers and budget travelers.

Murren is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in town so it's a bit difficult to stay in Murren as a backpacker. There are a number of charming hostels in the surrounding area though and they each have a unique local character.


Is Murren or Bregenz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Murren
Bregenz

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Murren and Bregenz.

You'll find some public transit in Murren, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Train, cable car, and funicular are the only ways to reach this car-free town.

While Bregenz offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are five bus lines that run around town.

Is Murren or Bregenz a more walkable city?

Murren
Bregenz

Murren is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Bregenz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Murren is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's a small town with a very limited number of vehicles so it's best explored on foot. There are also many walking trails in the area.

Bregenz is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are walkable and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Murren Worth Visiting? and Is Bregenz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bregenz or Murren?

How long in Murren or Bregenz?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Murren and Bregenz. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Murren than in Bregenz. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Murren, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bregenz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bregenz than Murren 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 Bregenz.


  • How many days in Murren or Bregenz? Ideal Length of Stay
    Murren 2-4 
    Bregenz 1-3

One day in Murren or Bregenz?

Murren is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bregenz. One day is often enough time to do most activities.


A weekend in Murren or Bregenz?

Murren might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Murren has to offer.

Bregenz 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 Murren or Bregenz?

Murren is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bregenz. 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 Murren or Bregenz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Murren. Since Murren is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Bregenz. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland, The Best Music Tours in Austria, and The Best Budget Tours to Austria.


Which place is cheaper, Bregenz or Murren?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Murren is $407, while the average daily cost in Bregenz is $130. 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 Murren and Bregenz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Murren $217
    Bregenz $71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Murren $434
    Bregenz $142
Compare Hotels in Murren and Bregenz

Looking for a hotel in Murren or Bregenz? 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 Murren


Hotels in Bregenz


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: Murren Hotel Prices and Bregenz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Murren $50
    Bregenz $18

Is it cheaper to fly into Murren or Bregenz?

Prices for flights to both Bregenz and Murren 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
    Murren $150
    Bregenz $44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Murren

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

  • Sunset hike with outdoor Cheese Fondue dinner: $167

Typical Food Prices in Bregenz

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bregenz:


  • Lunch from Market (for 2)
    $7.09
  • Kebabs for Dinner (for 2)
    $8.57
  • Chocolate
    $1.82

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Murren $59
    Bregenz $15

Tours and Activities in Murren

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

  • Private Speedriding Tandem Experience in Switzerland: $279
  • Sledding adventure with Chocolate degustation: $129
  • Swiss countryside tour in free-cars town: $123

Tours and Activities in Bregenz

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bregenz.

  • Bregenz Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Bregenz Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Surprise tour of Bregenz guided by a Local: $149
  • Bregenz - Historic Guided walking tour: $289
  • Bregenz - Historic Guided walking tour: $294
  • Magical Christmas Walking Tour: $769

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Murren $19
    Bregenz $20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Murren and Bregenz, we can see that Murren is more expensive. And not only is Bregenz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bregenz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bregenz 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 Murren would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Murren than you might in Bregenz.

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


Which is Bigger, Murren or Bregenz?

Bregenz has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Murren and Bregenz, 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.

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