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

Should you visit Shanghai 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 Shanghai 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.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a cosmopolitan, professional, and diverse port city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Shanghai and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Shanghai than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Shanghai is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Bern attracts visitors for its historical sights. Shanghai is more touristy than Bern and is known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. It is also well known for The Bund. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Shanghai different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Shanghai 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 Shanghai that are not to be missed. The city's sights mix culture with modern innovation. From the futuristic skyline and the iconic waterfront area known as the Bund, to the classic Yu Garden, there are a diversity of sights around the city. There are also museums like the Shanghai Museum, which educate visitors on Chinese culture.

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 Shanghai or Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Shanghai 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, Shanghai is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city's cuisine has a long history with many distinct traditional dishes. The foods incorporate a lot of soy sauce and sugar and you'll find most dishes are rice based as opposed to using wheat products. Popular local dishes include the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, steamed crab, and braised pork. The city is also famous for its snacks, which can be purchased at one of the many snack houses or street stalls.

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 Shanghai or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Shanghai and Bern.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Shanghai. A night out can quickly become very expensive. Many of the venues are spread out so you'll likely spend at least some of the time in a taxi. The Bund is one of the most popular areas for nightlife, but this area also has the most expensive bars and clubs. They often offer impressive views of Pudong and the Huangpu River though.

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

Is Shanghai or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is notable for its old town. However, Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bern. 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.

Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Bern?

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

Shanghai is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many large shopping malls with department stores, name brand fashion, and trendy shops. It is also known for its cheap electronics and tailor-made clothes.

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 Shanghai or Bern Better for Families?

Both Shanghai and Bern are superb family-friendly destinations.

Shanghai is a very kid-friendly port city. Of course there's Disneyland, but kids will also enjoy soaking up the city's culture, trying fun new snacks, and exploring the many science and kid-friendly museums. There are also parks and outdoor spaces as well as skyscrapers and towers that offer incredible views of the city.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bern. 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 Shanghai or Bern Better for Couples?

Shanghai is renowned for romance. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Shanghai makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its east meets west personality, couples will be able to enjoy an amazing culinary experience, beautiful gardens, and luxury hotels and spas. There are many romantic areas around this bustling city, making it the perfect place for a romantic city getaway.

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 Shanghai or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Shanghai and Bern are superb destinations for backpackers.

Shanghai is a great port city to visit for backpackers. The city is expensive, but there are hostels and cheap eateries that make it accessible even for the budget conscious. Business travelers and local workers give the city a more professional vibe during the day, but if you find the right place to stay you'll quickly be able to meet likeminded travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Is Shanghai or Bern Better for Students?

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

Shanghai is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city attracts international and study abroad students who enjoy its long history and fascinating culture. It's a world financial capital with many businesses headquartered here, so employment opportunities are abundant.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Both Shanghai and Bern offer superb public transit options.

Shanghai has some very good public transit options. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

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

Is Shanghai or Bern a more walkable city?

Shanghai and Bern both are superb when exploring on foot.

Shanghai is a very walkable port city. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Bern or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Shanghai and Bern. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Shanghai than in Bern. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bern.

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

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

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

One day in Shanghai or Bern?

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

The beautiful city of Bern offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Shanghai or Bern?

Shanghai 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.

Bern is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bern, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Shanghai or Bern?

Shanghai is a cosmopolitan big city where you can fill many days. This port city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Bern is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Shanghai or Bern?

The trendy port city of Shanghai offers nightlife and food. 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.

Bern is a great place to explore. 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. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, 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 Shanghai and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai 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 Shanghai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shanghai 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 Shanghai.

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

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Bern?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai 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 Shanghai 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 Shanghai or Bern in the Summer?

Both Bern and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Shanghai is generally a little warmer than Bern. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 28°C (83°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Bern. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Bern during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In July, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Bern. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Shanghai or Bern in the Autumn?

Both Bern and Shanghai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Shanghai is a little warmer than Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Shanghai often gets more sunshine than Bern. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.

Shanghai usually gets more rain in October than Bern. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Bern in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Bern. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bern can be very cold during winter. Shanghai can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Shanghai is much warmer than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shanghai in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than Bern during winter. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Bern. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Shanghai or Bern in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Bern. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty.

In April, Shanghai is generally a little warmer than Bern. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 15°C (58°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Shanghai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bern. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.

Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai usually gets more rain in April than Bern. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bern and Shanghai