Which place is cheaper, Bergen or Zermatt?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Zermatt and Bergen can help you decide which place is right for you.
Zermatt is a breathtaking, charming, and stunning town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.
Bergen is a friendly, laid back, and nostalgic city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Zermatt than Bergen, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Zermatt is better known for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Zermatt is more touristy than Bergen and is known for its skiing, hiking, winter sports, and stunning views of Matterhorn. Also, Zermatt is famous for The Matterhorn. Bergen is well known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bergen and Zermatt. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Zermatt is very popular for snow skiing. However, Bergen is not a skiing destination.
If you're an avid snow skiier, Zermatt should be on your list. This is Europe's highest ski resort and it is one of the most famous and beautiful, at the base of the world renowned Matterhown. The slopes attract professional skiers from around the world who come for the challenging skiing and spectacular setting.
Bergen is not a skiing destination.
Bergen is very good for its sights and museums. However, Zermatt is not a good town for its museums and history.
Bergen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.
While most people don't head to Zermatt specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. You don't visit Zermatt for the museums, but it is worth checking out the Matterhorn Museum while you're in town.
Zermatt is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.
Dining out in Zermatt is an experience not to be missed. There are actually many great restaurants right on the slopes, so you don't have to head into town to enjoy a meal. In town, you'll find many cozy restaurants that have terraces that offer spectacular views.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bergen. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.
Zermatt is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.
Zermatt has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The town cuts loose in the evening with locals and visitors intermingling at the many bars and live music venues around town. Elegant fun is a great way to describe the nightlife scene and whether you're looking for a mellow night out or a more vibrant party, there's something for everyone.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.
Zermatt is notable for its resorts. However, Bergen is not a resort destination.
Zermatt is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of upscale inns and hotels in town. Many have pools or hot tubs with views of the mountains.
Bergen is not a resort destination.
Bergen is very good for its historic old town. However, Zermatt does not have a historic old town.
Many visitors go to Bergen to see the historical old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.
Zermatt does not have a historic old town.
Zermatt is very popular for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergen is not a hiking destination.
People visit Zermatt specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are countless hiking trails in the area that cater to all levels of fitness. Almost all trails offer some sort of view of Matterhorn, and it's possible to enjoy a great view without much effort. It's also possible to do a multi-day trek while staying in mountain huts which will get you well into the amazing scenery.
Bergen is not a hiking destination.
Both Zermatt and Bergen are great shopping destinations.
Zermatt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Luxury boutiques that sell jewelry, watches, and clothing are found all around town. You'll also find sporting equipment or anything that you may have forgotten. For the best shopping in town head to Bahnhofstrasse.
Bergen is well-known for its shopping. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.
You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Zermatt or Bergen.
Zermatt is a very family-friendly place to visit. From world class hiking to countless outdoor adventures, this is a great place to explore with kids. There are a number of kid-friendly ways to view Matterhorn as well as cable cars and Glacier Palace.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bergen is very family-friendly. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.
Zermatt is very popular for couples. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.
Zermatt makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who seek an adrenaline filled adventure will be in heaven in this iconic alpine destination. There are breathtaking views of Matterhorn, stunning hikes, impressive skiing, and a charming town where you can enjoy a great meal after a day filled with adventure.
Bergen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.
Zermatt is notable for backpackers. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Zermatt is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels in town that cater to the backpacker and budget crowd. It's an expensive place to visit, with food and entertainment costing a lot, but if you can swing it, it's well worth a visit.
Bergen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.
Bergen is very good for students. However, Zermatt is not popular with students.
Bergen is a good city to visit for students. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.
Zermatt is not popular with students.
Bergen is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Zermatt is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.
Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bergen. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.
Zermatt has some public transit options. There are ebuses in town, but the town itself is car free and walking is your best option.
Zermatt is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.
It is easy to get around Zermatt on foot. There aren't any cars in town so this is a very pedestrian-friendly town with charming streets and walking paths.
Bergen is very walkable. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is Zermatt Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Zermatt and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Zermatt than in Bergen. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zermatt, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.
Families should spend more time in Zermatt than Bergen. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Zermatt, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Zermatt than Bergen. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Zermatt that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zermatt than Bergen 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 Zermatt.
Many travelers enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Zermatt. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
In Bergen, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.
Zermatt 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.
In Bergen, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bergen has to offer.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zermatt. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Bergen is a great place to explore. 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.
Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the breathtaking destination of Zermatt. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bergen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bergen. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zermatt is $223, while the average daily cost in Bergen is $108. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Zermatt and Bergen in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Zermatt or Bergen? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zermatt:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bergen:
Prices for flights to both Bergen and Zermatt change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zermatt.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bergen.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zermatt are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bergen are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Zermatt:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zermatt and Bergen, we can see that Zermatt is more expensive. And not only is Bergen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bergen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bergen 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 Zermatt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zermatt than you might in Bergen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zermatt Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.
Bergen has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Zermatt. When comparing the sizes of Zermatt and Bergen, 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.
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.
Both Bergen and Zermatt are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zermatt for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Zermatt is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Zermatt average around 23°C (73°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. It's quite rainy in Zermatt. In July, Zermatt usually receives less rain than Bergen. Zermatt gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Bergen and Zermatt during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Zermatt because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.
Zermatt is much warmer than Bergen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zermatt averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. Zermatt usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Zermatt gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zermatt and Bergen. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zermatt this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bergen. It's quite cold in Zermatt in the winter. In the winter, Zermatt is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zermatt in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Bergen averages at about 2°C (35°F).
Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Zermatt usually receives less rain than Bergen. Zermatt gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Zermatt as well as Bergen. Many travelers come to Zermatt for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Bergen in the spring for the small town charm.
In April, Zermatt is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Zermatt average around 13°C (55°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
It's quite rainy in Bergen. Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zermatt usually gets more rain in April than Bergen. Zermatt gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Zermatt | Bergen | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Mar | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
May | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 283 mm (11.1 in) |
Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) |
Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 259 mm (10.2 in) |
Dec | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 235 mm (9.3 in) |