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

Should you visit Tallinn or Bern?

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

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

Tallinn

Tallinn is a historical, charming, and quaint city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern

Bern is a charming, beautiful, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Tallinn and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tallinn than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Tallinn is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Old Town. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

The Old Town

How is Tallinn different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Tallinn and Bern.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Tallinn can be an interesting and educational experience. There are beautiful historic churches, particularly in the city's old town. A highlight is the stunning Alexander Nevski Cathedral. You'll also find some unique museums around town as well as Toompea Castle.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bern. 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 Tallinn or Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Tallinn and Bern offer a number of nice restaurants to choose from.

Tallinn has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food is affordable and hearty. Many dishes incorporate rye bread, pork, smoked fish, potatoes, or dairy products. You'll also find a lot of variation in dishes between seasons.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bern area. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Tallinn or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Tallinn is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Tallinn offers plenty to do in the evening. As it's grown in popularity with tourists, the city has put itself on the map as a top party destination in Eastern Europe. There's an active bar and club scene, but there are also art venues and other creative activities for everyone.

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

Is Tallinn or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Tallinn is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The old town of Tallinn is one of the most recognized in the world. The city's medieval old town is at the heart of it's tourist attractions. The Gothic architecture, local restaurants, and cobblestone streets give the city a fairytale charm.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallinn or Bern?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Tallinn and Bern.

Tallinn is well-known for its shopping. There's a mix of quirky shops and recognizable brands around town. Old town is a popular shopping area, as is nearby Kalamaja. Visitors enjoy picking up marzipan, local crafts, and unique art.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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 Tallinn or Bern Better for Families?

Bern is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Tallinn. Your kids will feel like they stepped into a fairytale in this beautiful city. It has countless museums including an open air museum and a zoo. There's also nearby Pirita Beach, where you and your kids can enjoy ice cream in a seaside setting.

Is Tallinn or Bern Better for Couples?

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

Tallinn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with gardens, romantic walks, and impressive views, this city makes for a great couple's getaway. Base yourself in the city's beautiful old town and dine in one of the many local restaurants. There are also nice hotels around town that are great for couples.

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 Tallinn or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Tallinn is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city is both affordable and unique, which is perfect for travelers on a budget. There are plenty of hostels around town as well as casual places to grab a cheap bite to eat.

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 Tallinn or Bern Better for Students?

Tallinn is a popular place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Tallinn is a good city to visit for students. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Tallinn and Bern.

Tallinn has some very good public transit options. There are buses trolleys and trams around town.

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

Is Tallinn or Bern a more walkable city?

Tallinn is renowned for its walkability. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Tallinn on foot. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, particularly in the most touristy areas.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Bern or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Bern?

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

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

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

One day in Tallinn or Bern?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Tallinn. 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, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Tallinn or Bern?

Tallinn 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.

In Bern, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bern has to offer.

Five days in Tallinn or Bern?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the whimsical destination of Tallinn. 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 great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Tallinn or Bern?

The quaint city of Tallinn 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bern. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Bern?

Tallinn has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn 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 Tallinn 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 Tallinn or Bern in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as Bern. Many visitors come to Tallinn in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Tallinn is generally cooler than Bern. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 17°C (62°F), 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 Tallinn this time of the year. In the summer, Tallinn often gets more sunshine than Bern. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets more rain in July than Bern. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Bern in the Autumn?

Both Bern and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tallinn for the shopping scene 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.

Tallinn is much colder than Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 7°C (44°F) in October, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Tallinn usually receives less sunshine than Bern during autumn. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tallinn usually receives more rain than Bern. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tallinn or Bern in the Winter?

Both Bern and Tallinn during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Tallinn 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 Tallinn can be very cold. In the winter, Tallinn is much colder than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tallinn in January average around -5°C (22°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than Bern. Tallinn gets 25 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets less rain in January than Bern. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Bern in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and Bern. The natural beauty are the main draw to Tallinn this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Tallinn in the spring. In April, Tallinn is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 4°C (39°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Tallinn usually receives more sunshine than Bern during spring. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Bern. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bern and Tallinn