Which place is cheaper, Bern or Zermatt?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Switzerland Zermatt vs. Bern for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Zermatt or Bern?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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 Bern can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Zermatt or Bern?
Zermatt
Located at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a Swiss village best known for its skiing, climbing, and hiking opportunities. It has become a popular mountain resort town due to its location and also features a number of boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants that cater to the vacationers who come to enjoy the many winter activities of the Alps.
Bern
The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZermatt $225Bern $251
The average daily cost (per person) in Zermatt is $225, while the average daily cost in Bern is $251. 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 Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZermatt $126Bern $162
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZermatt $252Bern $324
Compare Hotels in Zermatt and Bern
Looking for a hotel in Zermatt or Bern? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Zermatt Hotel Prices and Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zermatt $53Bern $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zermatt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zermatt:
- Airport Transfer to Zermatt or vice versa: $1,078
- Airport Transfer Zermatt to Geneva or vice versa: $1,219
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Low Cost Private Transfer From Bern Belp Airport to Bern City - One Way: $105
- Premium Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Interlaken: $250
- Geneva: Premium 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Bern: $277
- Private Transfer from Bern City Center to Zurich City Center: $318
- Private transfer from Bern City to Zurich Airport: $416
- Low Cost Private Transfer From Bern Belp Airport to Basel City - One Way: $586
- Low Cost Private Transfer From Bern Belp Airport to Zurich City - One Way: $661
Is it cheaper to fly into Zermatt or Bern?
Prices for flights to both Bern 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayZermatt $57Bern $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zermatt $57Bern $34
Tours and Activities in Zermatt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zermatt are as follows:
- Standard Flight Experience with Matterhorn View from Zermatt: $261
- Zermatt Village plus Mt. Gornergrat Private Tour: $305
- The best of Zermatt walking tour: $496
- Guided tour “Love stories of Zermatt”: $496
- Zermatt and Gornergrat Private Day Tour: $512
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- Tour with iPod Audio Guide: $20
- Bern Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $45
- 1-Hour Must-See Express Tour: $72
- Tirano to St. Moritz: Bernina Red Train Return Day-Ticket: $79
- Art and Culture Tour with a Local Guide: $83
- Instagram Highlights Tour: $83
- Bern Capital City Small Group Tour: $90
- Best Introduction Tour of Bern with a Local: $91
- 2-Hour Historical Walking Tour: $162
- Schilthorn Piz Gloria (James Bond Location) Small Group Tour from Bern: $179
- GAILY TOUR in BERN - Gay & Lesbian Tour: $187
- Bern Capital City Private Tour: $194
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZermatt $28Bern $27
When comparing the travel costs between Zermatt and Bern, we can see that Bern 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
When is the best time to visit Zermatt 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 Zermatt or Bern in the Summer?
Both Bern and Zermatt are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences.
Zermatt is around the same temperature as Bern in the summer. The temperature in Zermatt is usually 23°C (73°F) in July, and Bern stays around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Bern. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. Zermatt usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bern during summer. Zermatt gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Zermatt. In July, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Bern. Zermatt gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZermatt 23°C (73°F)Bern 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Zermatt or Bern in the Autumn?
Both Bern and Zermatt during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year.
In the autumn, Zermatt is a little warmer than Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zermatt in October are around 15°C (58°F), and Bern is about 13°C (55°F).
In the autumn, Zermatt often gets more sunshine than Bern. Zermatt gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. Zermatt usually gets more rain in October than Bern. Zermatt gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZermatt 15°C (58°F)Bern 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Zermatt or Bern in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zermatt and Bern. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. It's quite cold in Zermatt in the winter. In January, Zermatt is generally much warmer than Bern. Temperatures in Zermatt average around 5°C (41°F), and Bern stays around 3°C (37°F).
Zermatt usually receives more sunshine than Bern during winter. Zermatt gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Bern. Zermatt gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZermatt 5°C (41°F)Bern 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Zermatt or Bern in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zermatt as well as Bern. Also, many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty.
Zermatt is a little warmer than Bern in the spring. The temperature in Zermatt is usually 13°C (55°F) in April, and Bern stays around 11°C (52°F).
In the spring, Zermatt often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bern. Zermatt gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.
Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zermatt usually gets more rain in April than Bern. Zermatt gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZermatt 13°C (55°F)Bern 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Bern and Zermatt
| Zermatt | Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
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