A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Bern for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sydney or Bern?

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

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

Sydney

Sydney is a outdoorsy, adventurous, and glamorous 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bern

Bern is a beautiful, cultural, and historic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sydney and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Bern?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sydney than Bern. Sydney is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sydney is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Bern is more popular for its historical sights. Sydney is more touristy than Bern and is known for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. Also, Sydney is famous for the Sydney Opera House. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Sydney different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sydney 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 Sydney that are not to be missed. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

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 Sydney or Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sydney 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, Sydney makes for a great culinary experience. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

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 Sydney or Bern Better for Nightlife?

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

Sydney is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

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

Is Sydney or Bern Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sydney has a few good snorkeling spots. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Bern Better for Beaches?

Sydney is renowned for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Sydney. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Sydney or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney 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.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Sydney or Bern Better for Hiking?

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

Sydney is a popular spot for hiking. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Bern?

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

Sydney is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular 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.

Is Sydney or Bern Better for Families?

Sydney is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Sydney is a very family-friendly destination. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bern is very family-friendly. 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 Sydney or Bern Better for Couples?

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

Sydney makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

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 Sydney or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is renowned for backpackers. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sydney is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

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.

Is Sydney or Bern Better for Students?

Sydney is renowned for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Sydney. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Sydney 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.

Sydney has a great public transit system. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

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

Is Sydney or Bern a more walkable city?

Sydney and Bern both are very good when exploring on foot.

Sydney is a very walkable destination. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

Bern is very walkable. 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 Sydney Worth Visiting? and Is Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bern or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sydney and Bern. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than in Bern. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bern.

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

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

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

One day in Sydney or Bern?

Sydney is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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 Sydney or Bern?

Sydney is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. 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 Sydney or Bern?

Sydney is a glamorous big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Sydney or Bern?

Sydney is a outdoorsy city where you can fill many days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.

When comparing the travel costs between Sydney and Bern, we can see that Sydney 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. Even though Sydney is in Pacific and Bern is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Bern?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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 Sydney or Bern?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Bern has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Bern in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Bern. Many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Sydney is around the same temperature as Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sydney in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Bern averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bern during summer. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sydney usually receives more rain than Bernin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sydney or Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Bern. Most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In April, Sydney is generally a little warmer than Bernin October. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 19°C (65°F), and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Bernin October. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney usually gets more rain in April than Bernin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Bern in the Winter?

Both Bern and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Sydney 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. Sydney is much warmer than Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Bern during winter. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Sydney usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bernin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sydney or Bern in the Spring?

Both Bern and Sydney during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Sydney is much warmer than Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sydney in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Bern averages at about 11°C (52°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the spring, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Bernin April. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets more rain in October than Bernin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bern and Sydney