A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagano vs. Bern for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Nagano or Bern?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and Bern 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.

Nagano

Nagano is a alpine, scenic, and historic 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 skiing, nightlife, and food.

Bern

Bern is a cultural, historic, and charming city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nagano and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nagano than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nagano is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and big city activities, while Bern attracts visitors for its historical sights and shopping. Nagano is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is also well known for Zenko-ji Temple. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Nagano different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Bern Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Bern is not a skiing destination.

Nagano is an extremely popular place for snow skiing and other winter sports. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Bern is not a skiing destination.

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Nagano and Bern.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bern. 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 the Food Better in Nagano or Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nagano 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, Nagano makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

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 Nagano or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Nagano is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Nagano offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

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

Is Nagano or Bern Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a popular place for its resorts. However, Bern is not a resort destination.

Nagano has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a great city for its old town. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Bern is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Nagano offers a nice historic old town area. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Is Nagano or Bern Better for Hiking?

Nagano is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

Nagano is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Bern?

Bern is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Nagano or Bern Better for Families?

Both Nagano and Bern are excellent to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nagano is very family-friendly. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

Bern is known to be 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 Nagano or Bern Better for Couples?

Bern is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Bern is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Nagano is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Is Nagano or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Nagano or Bern Better for Students?

Nagano is a popular place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Nagano is a good city to visit for students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

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

Nagano has a few public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is Nagano or Bern a more walkable city?

Bern is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

For even more information, also check out Is Nagano Worth Visiting? and Is Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bern or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nagano and Bern. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bern than Nagano 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 Bern.

One day in Nagano or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nagano. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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 Nagano or Bern?

Nagano is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

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 Nagano or Bern?

You'll find food and shopping around the scenic destination of Nagano. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Nagano or Bern?

The scenic city of Nagano offers shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

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 Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagano and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Nagano much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nagano is in Asia and Bern is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Nagano would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagano 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 Nagano.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Bern?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Nagano 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 Nagano 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 Nagano or Bern in the Summer?

Both Bern and Nagano during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nagano is generally a little warmer than Bern. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 25°C (77°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Bern. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in July than Bern. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Bern. Many visitors come to Nagano in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Nagano is a little warmer than Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Bern during autumn. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nagano usually receives more rain than Bern. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nagano or Bern in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Bern. Most visitors come to Nagano for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bern can be very cold. Nagano can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Nagano is cooler than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nagano in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nagano this time of the year. In the winter, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Bern. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nagano usually gets more rain in January than Bern. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Bern in the Spring?

Both Bern and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Nagano because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

In April, Nagano is generally around the same temperature as Bern. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 11°C (52°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Bern during spring. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nagano usually receives more rain than Bern. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bern and Nagano