The Canton of Bern is Switzerland's second-largest canton, stretching from the UNESCO-listed medieval capital city to the dramatic peaks of the Bernese Oberland. Home to the federal capital of Switzerland, picturesque alpine lakes, and world-class ski resorts, Bern blends political significance with breathtaking natural beauty.
Local currency: Swiss Franc (CHF).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Bern.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- CHF 35-55/night ($38-60) — dorm bed in Bern or Interlaken hostel
- Budget
- CHF 80-130/night ($88-143) — budget hotel or hostel private room
- Midrange
- CHF 140-220/night ($154-242) — 3-4 star hotel in Bern city centre
- Luxury
- CHF 350-600+/night ($385-660+) — 5-star hotel (Bellevue Palace, Schweizerhof, Mandarin Oriental)
Food
- Street
- CHF 8-13 ($9-14) — bratwurst, falafel pita, bakery pastry
- Local
- CHF 16-28 ($18-31) — lunch Tagesmenü at a restaurant or Tibits by weight
- Midrange
- CHF 35-60 ($38-66) — dinner at a traditional Swiss restaurant
- Fine
- CHF 100-200+ ($110-220+) — Michelin-starred tasting menu
Transport
- Bus
- CHF 3.80/ride ($4.20) — single city tram/bus ticket in Bern
- Taxi
- CHF 3.90/km + CHF 6.80 base fare ($4.30/km + $7.50)
- Airport
- CHF 3.80 (Bern city bus) or CHF 45+ taxi to Bern Airport (BRN)
- Daytrip
- CHF 25-60 ($28-66) — return train to Interlaken, Thun or Grindelwald
Activities
- Museum
- CHF 13-22 ($14-24) — most Bern city museums
- Sites
- CHF 8-16 ($9-18) — Einstein House, castle entry
- Tour
- CHF 30-60 ($33-66) — guided Old Town walking tour
- Excursion
- CHF 88-235 ($97-258) — Grindelwald First or Jungfraujoch
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Bern costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
CHF 420-525 for 7 days ($460-580)
Midrange traveller
CHF 1,050-1,400 for 7 days ($1,155-1,540)
Luxury traveller
CHF 2,800-4,200+ for 7 days ($3,080-4,620+)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Get the Bern Ticket from your accommodation for free city public transport—huge saving over daily tickets
Eat lunch at restaurants using the Tagesmenü (daily special)—2 courses for CHF 18-28 vs CHF 35-50 for dinner
Visit the Tuesday/Saturday Bundesplatz markets for cheap, fresh picnic food from Swiss producers
Swiss Museum Pass (CHF 144) pays for itself after 7-8 museum entries
Book Jungfraujoch tickets online in advance—online prices are cheaper than at the station
Travel by regional train passes (Half-Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass) to save 50% on most rail journeys
Drink tap water—Bern's is excellent quality and costs nothing vs CHF 5-8 for bottled water in restaurants
Grocery shop at Migros or Coop supermarkets for picnic supplies, especially for Bernese Oberland day trips
Stay in Interlaken hostels rather than hotels—exceptional quality at CHF 30-45 per dorm bed
Look for Wochenkarten (weekly rail passes) for regional travel if staying 5+ days
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Bear Park (Bern)
Watch Bern's iconic brown bears roam in their riverside habitat—free admission
Rose Garden (Rosengarten)
Spectacular hilltop park with 220 rose varieties and Old Town panorama—free
Bern Arcaded Streets (Lauben)
Stroll 6km of medieval covered walkways in the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town
Aare River Swimming (Marzili)
Free riverside swimming in the fast-flowing Aare at the beloved Marzili lido
Federal Palace (Bundeshaus) exterior
Admire the magnificent parliament building and watch free summer fountain shows at Bundesplatz
Zytglogge hourly show (exterior)
Watch the free mechanical figure display every hour from Kramgasse without paying for a tour
Münsterplattform
Free panoramic terrace behind the cathedral with spectacular Old Town and Alps views
Bern Botanical Garden
University botanical garden with 6,000 plant species—free outdoor admission
Dählhölzli Animal Park (outdoor area)
Free access to the outdoor wolf, deer, and fox enclosures in the Tierpark
Tuesday and Saturday Farmers Market
Free to browse Bern's vibrant Bundesplatz market with local produce and specialties
Kunstmuseum free Sunday
Free entry to Switzerland's oldest public art museum on the first Sunday of each month
Hoheweg Promenade (Interlaken)
Free stroll on Interlaken's famous avenue with the best Jungfrau view at no cost