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

Should you visit Osaka or Bern?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka 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.

Osaka

Osaka is a high energy, colorful, and vibrant city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern

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

Osaka and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Osaka or Bern?

You'll generally find more things to do in Osaka than Bern. Osaka is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Osaka is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Bern is more popular for its impressive beauty. Osaka is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its diverse street food, eclectic shopping and its economic roots as a port city. Also, Osaka is famous for Osaka Castle. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Osaka different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Osaka 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 Osaka that are not to be missed. The city is filled with impressive sights that are both old and new. A highlight is a visit to Osaka Castle, which dates back to the 1500s. The city's most well known temple is Shitennō-ji Temple and the Kobe Port Tower is another recognizable sight. Other highlights include the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, and the National Museum of Art.

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

Osaka is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Osaka is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's one of the top culinary cities in Japan, and you'll find both local and regional dishes throughout. Street food is famous here, but there are also award winning restaurants and small traditional venues. Sushi and sashimi is a favorite, and it's focused simple and high quality ingredients. You'll find some great sushi restaurants around Kuromon Ichiba Market. Another unique experience is to visit a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. Land lovers should try the Yakiniku and Horumon, which is Japanese barbecue. And, of course, there's the ramen. Don't miss the ramen!

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 Osaka or Bern Better for Nightlife?

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

Osaka is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city really comes to life after the sun sets. The buildings light up and the energy is palpable. In addition to the many world class restaurants, there are countless bars, pubs and izakaya, which are Japanese-style bars. Beer is popular, with many internationally recognized brands available. The most popular nightlife area is Dotonbori, which is along the Dotonbori River.

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

Is Osaka or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Osaka and Bern both have very good historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Osaka to see the historical old town. If you want to step back in time, head to Shinsekai, which holds tight to its traditional street life scene. There are old-school arcades, traditional shops, and local street food to sample.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Osaka or Bern?

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

Osaka is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There is everything from grand shopping malls to specialty boutique shops that sell antiques or local trinkets. Umeda Shopping Arcade is a large mall that has everything. For international brands, head to America Mura, which is where many of the younger Japanese hang out. Shinsaibashi-Suji Street is a favorite shopping street in the city and also not-to-be-missed.

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 Osaka or Bern Better for Families?

Osaka and Bern are both very good destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Osaka. Kids will enjoy the view from the observatory of the Umeda Sky Building or taking a ride on the HEP Five Ferris Wheel. There is also the Kids Plaza Osaka as well as arcades along Tenjinbashi suji Shopping Street. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Osaka Castle and museum lovers will also appreciate visiting the Osaka Science Museum or the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living.

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 Osaka or Bern Better for Couples?

Osaka and Bern are both very good to visit as a couple.

Osaka makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's atmosphere is filled with an energy that couples will enjoy. You can take a walk along the Tombori Riverwalk. For a touch of nature, head to Minoh Park and check out Minoh Falls, or for a relaxing experience, visit the hot springs at Solaniwa Onsen. Other fun activities include taking a ride on the Hep Five Ferris wheel or sampling the city's famous street food.

Couples visit Bern frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Osaka or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Osaka and Bern are both very good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Osaka. There are plenty of hostels around town and street food is an affordable and fun way to enjoy the city's culinary scene.

Backpackers come from all over to 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 Osaka or Bern Better for Students?

Osaka is a well-known place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Osaka is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a colorful energy and a lively atmosphere that appeals to students. The city is also the second largest economic center in the country.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Osaka 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.

Osaka has a great public transit system. The best way to get around town is by subway or train. The main tourist areas are located along the Midosuji subway line, which runs north to south.

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

Is Osaka or Bern a more walkable city?

Bern is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Osaka is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Bern is a very walkable destination. 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.

Osaka is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bern or Osaka?

How long in Osaka or Bern?

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

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

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

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

One day in Osaka or Bern?

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

In Bern, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Osaka or Bern?

Osaka is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Osaka or Bern?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful big city of Osaka. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bern is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Osaka or Bern?

The high energy city of Osaka offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to 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 Osaka and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Osaka 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 Osaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Osaka 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 Osaka.

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

Which is Bigger, Osaka or Bern?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Osaka 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 Osaka 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 Osaka or Bern in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Osaka as well as Bern. Many visitors come to Osaka in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Osaka is a little warmer than Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Osaka in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Bern averages at about 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. In the summer, Osaka often gets less sunshine than Bern. Osaka gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.

Osaka receives a lot of rain in the summer. Osaka usually gets more rain in July than Bern. Osaka gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Osaka or Bern in the Autumn?

Both Bern and Osaka are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Osaka is generally a little warmer than Bern. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 19°C (66°F), and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Osaka usually receives more sunshine than Bern during autumn. Osaka gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Osaka. In October, Osaka usually receives more rain than Bern. Osaka gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Osaka or Bern in the Winter?

Both Bern and Osaka during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Osaka because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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. Osaka is much warmer than Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Osaka averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Osaka often gets more sunshine than Bern. Osaka gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.

Osaka usually gets less rain in January than Bern. Osaka gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Osaka or Bern in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Osaka and Bern. The activities around the city are the main draw to Osaka this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Osaka is a little warmer than Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Osaka in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Bern averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Osaka usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bern during spring. Osaka gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Osaka usually receives more rain than Bern. Osaka gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bern and Osaka