A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Andrews vs. Bern for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Bern?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews 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.

Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews is a charming, quaint, and peaceful university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bern

Bern is a historic, charming, and beautiful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Saint Andrews and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Bern?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews. Although Saint Andrews and Bern are popular destinations, Saint Andrews has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Andrews is very popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Bern attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Saint Andrews is famous for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. It is also well known for The Old Course. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

The Old Course

How is Saint Andrews different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Andrews or Bern?

Bern is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bern can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint Andrews. For many, a highlight of their trip is to play a round of golf at St. Andrews Links Golf Courses. Golf enthusiasts will also appreciate a visit to the British Golf Museum. Other interesting sights in the area include a visit to the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, visiting the St. Andrews University Museums, or stopping by St. Andrews Castle.

Is the Food Better in Saint Andrews or Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews 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, Saint Andrews makes for a great culinary experience. The town holds on to its history and heritage, and that stands out with the restaurant selection. There are a range of of independent cafes and pubs and surprisingly few major chain restaurants and fast food joints.

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 Saint Andrews or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Both Saint Andrews and Bern are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint Andrews. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

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

Is Saint Andrews or Bern Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Saint Andrews is a good option for a beach vacation. Adding to the natural beauty is the beautiful coastline around St. Andrews. Some of the best beaches include West Sands Beach, Kingsbarns Beach, Castle Sands, and Saint Andrews Beach.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a well-known place for its old town. However, Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bern to see the historical old town. 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.

Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Andrews or Bern Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

Saint Andrews is a good destination for hiking. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Bern?

Both Saint Andrews and Bern are very good shopping destinations.

Saint Andrews is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is filled with boutique shops and local markets where you can buy unique items like artisan food, handmade crafts, or local art.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bern. 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 Saint Andrews or Bern Better for Families?

Bern is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Bern is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Saint Andrews is a family-friendly university town. There are some great playgrounds, parks, and gardens that kids will enjoy. Check out Kingbrae Gardens, Ministers Island, and Katy’s Cove. For museums, head to Ross Memorial Museum and Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium.

Is Saint Andrews or Bern Better for Couples?

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

Saint Andrews is a very popular place to visit for couples. The scenic landscapes, stunning views, and quaint charm make this a perfect place for couples to escape to. You can enjoy boat rides, seafood restaurants, golfing, and spas all while you soak up the natural beauty.

Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Saint Andrews or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bern is a great city to visit for backpackers. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Saint Andrews is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really a backpacker's destination, but there are some guesthouses and apartments that are more affordable.

Is Saint Andrews or Bern Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is renowned for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Saint Andrews. At its heart, this is a university town with a long standing history in teaching. You'll find the town's population doubles when students are in town.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Bern is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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

Saint Andrews has some public transit options. There are buses through St. Andrews.

Is Saint Andrews or Bern a more walkable city?

Bern is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit 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.

Saint Andrews is a somewhat walkable university town. Parts of the town are compact enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bern or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Bern?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Bern than Saint Andrews. 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 Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews or Bern?

Saint Andrews is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Bern. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint Andrews or Bern?

Saint Andrews is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint Andrews or Bern?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This university town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Bern. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Saint Andrews or Bern?

Because Saint Andrews is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 beautiful city of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Andrews and Bern, we can see that Saint Andrews is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Bern?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews or Bern in the Summer?

Both Bern and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Bern. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 14°C (58°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Bern. Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Bern during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Bern. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Bern in the Autumn?

Both Bern and Saint Andrews during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Bern. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets more rain in October than Bern. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Bern in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Bern. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. 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 Saint Andrews can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Andrews is a little warmer than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Andrews in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Bern during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Andrews usually receives more rain than Bern. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Bern in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Bern. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Andrews is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 7°C (45°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bern. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in April than Bern. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bern and Saint Andrews