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

Should you visit Windsor or Bern?

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

Should I visit Windsor or Bern? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Windsor

Windsor is a beautiful, royal, and traditional town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Bern

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

Windsor and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Windsor or Bern?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bern. Although Windsor and Bern are popular destinations, Bern has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bern is very popular for its historical sights and shopping, while Windsor attracts visitors for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Windsor is more touristy than Bern and is known for being home to the largest and oldest operating castle in the world. Bern is famous for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. It is also well known for The Zytglogge Clock Tower.

How is Windsor different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Windsor and Bern.

Windsor offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The main draw is the Windsor Castle, which many people explore in a few hours. Then you can pass some time wandering around the town.

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 Windsor or Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Windsor and Bern both to be nice destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Windsor. There are cafes, pubs, and local restaurants that let you sample regional dishes. There are also chain restaurants and international options including Japanese and Thai food.

Bern is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Windsor or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Windsor and Bern.

Windsor has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a low key nightlife scene with local pubs and a theater. Dinner cruises are also a fun activity.

If you're looking for night time activities Bern has a few options to choose from. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Windsor or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is well known for its old town. Also, Windsor is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Windsor has an old town worth visiting. The old town is opposite the castle and caters specifically to tourists with its restaurants, pubs, and a few shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Windsor or Bern?

Bern is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bern is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Windsor or Bern Better for Families?

Bern is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Windsor is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Windsor offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy seeing a working castle when they visit Windsor Castle. While a visit to Windsor Castle is the obvious draw to the town, there are also river cruises, parks, and even the Royal Windsor Maze at the Goswells Park that the whole family will enjoy. There is also a Legoland in the area for those who have more time.

Is Windsor or Bern Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Windsor and Bern make for a high quality place to visit.

Couples visit Windsor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Exploring the Windsor Castle, taking a river cruise, and wandering the parks and gardens hand in hand make this a great place for a couples retreat.

Bern is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Windsor or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is well known for backpackers. However, Windsor is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Windsor is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Bern is well known for its public transit. Also, Windsor is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

While Windsor offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system around town.

Is Windsor or Bern a more walkable city?

Windsor and Bern both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Windsor is a very walkable town. The town is compact and relatively easy to walk around. There are also several walking routes in the area.

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 Windsor Worth Visiting? and Is Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bern or Windsor?

How long in Windsor or Bern?

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

Families should spend more time in Bern than Windsor. 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 Windsor. 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 Windsor 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 Windsor or Bern?

Windsor is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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 Windsor or Bern?

Windsor 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.

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 Windsor or Bern?

Windsor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. 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 Windsor or Bern?

Because Windsor 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.

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 Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, 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 Windsor and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Windsor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Windsor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Windsor 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 Windsor.

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

Which is Bigger, Windsor or Bern?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Windsor. When comparing the sizes of Windsor 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 Windsor 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 Windsor or Bern in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Windsor and Bern. The summer months attract visitors to Windsor because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

In July, Windsor is generally cooler than Bern. Daily temperatures in Windsor average around 18°C (64°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Bern during summer. Windsor gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Windsor usually receives less rain than Bern. Windsor gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Windsor or Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Windsor as well as Bern. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Windsor this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Windsor is around the same temperature as Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Windsor averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Windsor often gets less sunshine than Bern. Windsor gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets more rain in October than Bern. Windsor gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Windsor or Bern in the Winter?

Both Bern and Windsor are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Windsor for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bern can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Windsor. In the winter, Windsor is much warmer than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Windsor in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Bern during winter. Windsor gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Windsor usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bern. Windsor gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Windsor or Bern in the Spring?

Both Bern and Windsor during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Windsor in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Windsor is generally cooler than Bern. Daily temperatures in Windsor average around 9°C (48°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Windsor often gets less sunshine than Bern. Windsor gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets less rain in April than Bern. Windsor gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bern and Windsor