Which place is cheaper, Bern or Porvoo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Porvoo 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 Porvoo 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.
Where Should I go: Porvoo or Bern?
Porvoo
Porvoo is a city and a municipality situated on the southern coast of Finland approximately 50 kilometers east of Helsinki. Porvoo is one of the six medieval towns in Finland, first mentioned as a city in texts from 14th century. Even though Porvoo is not exactly a coastal town, it is connected to the Gulf of Finland via the Porvoo River. The river flows through the city, passing Porvoo's most well-known landmarks: the red shore houses. Historically, Porvoo has been an important center of trade. Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and evidence of its long history can still be seen and felt as you walk its charming streets. For centuries, the city has served as both a home and a source of inspiration for many Finnish artists.
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 Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, 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 dayPorvoo €132Bern €234
The average daily cost (per person) in Porvoo is €132, while the average daily cost in Bern is €234. 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 Porvoo and Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPorvoo €69Bern €151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPorvoo €138Bern €302
Compare Hotels in Porvoo and Bern
Looking for a hotel in Porvoo 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: Porvoo Hotel Prices and Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Porvoo €56Bern €31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Transfer from Bern to Zurich with 2h of Sightseeing: $300
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $227
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $213
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $191
- Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Porvoo or Bern?
Prices for flights to both Bern and Porvoo 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 dayPorvoo €30Bern €56
Typical Food Prices in Porvoo
For Porvoo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for 2€42
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.Porvoo €21Bern €31
Tours and Activities in Porvoo
For Porvoo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Tour: Porvoo Exclusive Journey: $604
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- 007 Elegance:Exclusive Private Tour to Schilthorn from Bern: $627
- Alpine Heights: Small Group Tour to Jungfraujoch from Bern: $592
- Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Bern : Highlights & Hidden Gems Walking Tour: $80
- Bern : Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide (Private tour): $59
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.95
- Bern Historical UNESCO Old Town Private Tour: $161
- Bern Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $60
- Bern Old City Walking Tour: $459
- Bern Old Town - Private Historic Walking Tour: $534
- Bern Private Walking Tour: $334
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPorvoo €9.93Bern €25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Porvoo and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Porvoo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Porvoo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Porvoo 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 Porvoo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Porvoo Expensive? and Is Bern Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Porvoo or Bern?
Bern has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Porvoo. When comparing the sizes of Porvoo 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 Porvoo 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 Porvoo or Bern in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Porvoo as well as Bern. Additionally, many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences.
Porvoo is cooler than Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bern. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porvoo this time of the year. In the summer, Porvoo often gets more sunshine than Bern. Porvoo gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.
Porvoo usually gets less rain in July than Bern. Porvoo gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPorvoo 17°C (62°F)Bern 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Porvoo or Bern in the Autumn?
Both Bern and Porvoo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Porvoo is much colder than Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Porvoo in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Bern averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Porvoo usually receives less sunshine than Bern during autumn. Porvoo gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Porvoo usually receives more rain than Bern. Porvoo gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPorvoo 6°C (42°F)Bern 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Porvoo or Bern in the Winter?
Both Bern and Porvoo during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Bern can be very cold during winter. Porvoo can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Porvoo is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Porvoo average around -6°C (21°F), and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Porvoo often gets less sunshine than Bern. Porvoo gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.
Porvoo usually gets less rain in January than Bern. Porvoo gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPorvoo -6°C (21°F)Bern 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Porvoo or Bern in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Porvoo and Bern. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty.
Porvoo can be very cold during spring. Porvoo is much colder than Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Porvoo usually receives more sunshine than Bern during spring. Porvoo gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Bern. Porvoo gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPorvoo 3°C (37°F)Bern 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Bern and Porvoo
| Porvoo | Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.