Bern

Medieval charm on the Aare

Bern stands as Switzerland’s capital with a compact city center that feels easy to explore on foot. The old town, made of sandstone buildings and lined by arcades, holds historic squares where locals gather daily. Public transport connects neighborhoods without heavy traffic, making movement simple for visitors. Many medieval landmarks remain intact here including the Zytglogge clock tower and the Bern Minster with its tall spire visible across parts of the city. Markets serve regional produce alongside cozy cafés that reflect everyday Swiss life.

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City in Switzerland

$$$+

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 9.0

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	8
Tap water:	10

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4/5

Most locals working in tourism, hospitality, and shops speak good English, and signage is often multilingual. You’ll get by easily, though a few German phrases can be handy in smaller shops or markets.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Bern Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Strong in medieval architecture and relaxed city life. Walk arcaded old town streets, visit museums, swim in the river and enjoy cafés and local markets.

Place score

7.9

Best at:

Spotless

Walkable

Museums

Rivers

Local cuisine

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

👩 8

Solo

❤️ 8

Couples

Switzerland – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type J Type C: Type J: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Swiss Franc (CHF) £1 ≈ CHF 1.10
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Switzerland is very cashless-friendly, with credit and debit cards widely accepted. Mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also increasingly common. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Switzerland. Most service charges are included in bills. In restaurants, rounding up to the nearest 5 CHF or leaving 5-10% is common. Taxi drivers and hotel staff appreciate small tips for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed and socially acceptable in Switzerland, but being disruptive is frowned upon. Alcohol can be consumed in parks, trains, and outdoor events.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned indoors in public places but allowed in designated areas. Outdoor smoking is common.

Swiss National Day (August)	Expect celebrations, parades, and fireworks throughout the country.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events are common, with tourist areas being busier than usual.
Easter (March/April)	Many attractions are closed, but some areas offer special events and celebrations.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt
Other:	Switzerland is famous for its natural beauty, well-organised transport, and multilingual culture. The Swiss Travel Pass is highly recommended for tourists.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Bern, Switzerland

❄️

Jan

❄️

Feb

🌥️

Mar

🌥️

Apr

🌦️

May

🌦️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

🌤️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

☁️

Oct

☁️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	June - Aug.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Sep. - Dec.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Zibelemärit onion market on the fourth Monday in November; Christmas markets late November to 24 December

Swimming in the Aare river is popular June to early September, only for experienced swimmers, current is strong

Don't miss

🏘️ Stroll Bern’s UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town streets
🕰️ Climb the Zytglogge Clock Tower for city views and puppet show
⛪ Visit the majestic Berner Münster cathedral and its spire
🌹 Relax in Rosengarten with panoramic views over Bern
🐻 See bears roam in the BärenPark, Bern’s famous bear enclosure
🏛️ Explore history and art at the Bern Historical Museum

You've been here?

Why travel to Bern?

Bern is the kind of place that quietly wins you over. The old town’s arcades are perfect for wandering, rain or shine and there’s a sense of history everywhere – from the whimsical fountains to the imposing Parliament Building. The city’s not just about the past, though: you’ll find lively markets, cozy cafés and a local culture that’s both relaxed and welcoming. Plus, Bern is a great jumping-off point for exploring the rest of Switzerland, thanks to its central location. Just be prepared: Switzerland is expensive and Bern is no exception, but the experience is worth every Swiss franc.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Federal Palace - House of Parliament
The Federal Palace houses Switzerland's federal government and parliament in Bern’s historic center. Its neoclassical façade, grand halls and panoramic views of the city make it a key political landmark.
2 Bern Cathedral
The Bern Cathedral stands as a majestic landmark within the historic city center, featuring intricate Romanesque and Gothic architecture that draws visitors to its towering spire and centuries-old stained glass windows.
3 Clock Tower
4 Historical Museum of Bern
5 Einstein House
6 Rose Garden
7 Prison Tower
8 Child Eater Fountain
9 Bundesplatz
10 Steakhouse Old Town

🎡Places for activities

1 Bear park
2 Berne Animal Park
3 Schwellenmätteli
4 Welle7
5 Stadion Wankdorf

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Gurten
2 Rosengarten
3 Egelsee
4 Dählhölzli
5 Elfenau
6 Aare
7 Schützenmattpark

🛍️Shopping

1 Wankdorf Center
2 Loeb
3 Marktgasse
4 Manor

🎈Events

Bern Carnival (Fasnacht)
Buskers Bern Street Music Festival
Bern Jazz Festival
Zibelemärit (Onion Market)
Gurtenfestival
Bern Grand Prix (running event)
Bern International Film Festival
Christmas Markets
Museum Night
Bern Pride

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Knowledge before you go

Walk the Old Town arcades; rain rarely ruins sightseeing.
Catch the Zytglogge clock show on the hour; arrive early for a clear view.
Swim the Aare only in safe spots; current is strong and water stays cold.
Go to Rosengarten at sunset for postcard skyline views, then stroll down into the UNESCO Old Town.

How to travel to Bern

Bern is well-connected by train to all major Swiss cities and many European destinations. The Bern Airport offers limited regional flights, but most international travelers arrive via Zurich or Geneva airports, then take a direct train (about 1 hour from Zurich). The city’s main train station is right in the center, making arrivals and departures simple.

Access summary

From Bern Airport (BRN): Local train plus bus 160, about 30–40 minutes.
From Zurich Airport (ZRH): Direct trains to Bern, roughly 1–1.5 hours.
From Basel: Intercity trains from Basel SBB to Bern, usually about 1 hour.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Bern

You’ll find everything from boutique hotels in historic buildings to modern hostels and cozy B&Bs. Prices are generally high, but standards are excellent. The old town is ideal for atmosphere and convenience, while areas near the train station offer easy transport connections.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

AMERON Luzern Hotel Flora

8.9

Hotel Monopol Luzern

8.9

Hotel Krebs Interlaken

9.0

Hotel Weisses Kreuz

8.6

Eiger Mountain & Soul Resort

Crowne Plaza Zurich By IHG

8.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Bern

Bern is very walkable, especially the old town, but you’ll also find an efficient network of trams and buses that make getting around easy. The main train station is a central hub and bike rentals are popular for exploring the riverbanks and parks. Public transport is reliable and well-integrated, so you rarely need a car.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+55 %

Daily expenses in Bern are around 55% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+6 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CHF) is 6% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now is more expensive compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£104	£233	£634
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£44	£113	£259
🍝 Food per day	£46	£104	£304
🚕 Transportation per day	£14	£17	£70

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£41
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£20
🍟 Fast food combo	£14
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£16
☕ Cappuccino	£5
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£7

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£3.40
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£42
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.70

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£19
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£100
🤧 Cold medication	£11.50
💇 Basic haircut	£41

Safety information overview

General safety

Bern is very safe, with low crime rates. Usual precautions apply: watch your belongings in crowded areas and at night. The city is calm and welcoming, even after dark.

Health & Medical

Medical care in Bern is excellent, with modern hospitals and pharmacies readily available. No special vaccinations are needed. Tap water is safe and high-quality.

Accessibility

Most of Bern’s main attractions and public transport are accessible, though some old town cobblestones and narrow arcades can be tricky for wheelchairs. Many hotels and museums offer good facilities for visitors with disabilities.

Tap water

Tap water is of outstanding quality and safe to drink everywhere. Public fountains are common in the old town, so you can refill your bottle as you explore.