Bern Vs. Lucerne: Which Swiss City Suits You Best?

If you are looking to visit a beautiful old historical city in Switzerland chances are you are going to be choosing between Bern and Lucerne.

Both of these cities are quite similar as they are beautiful cities with a well-preserved Old Town, historical sites and great access to nature, but which is the right one for you, Bern or Lucerne? That is what we are here to find out! 

Join me as I run through everything you need to know about visiting Bern and Lucerne so that you can choose the Swiss city that suits you best!

Bern vs Lucerne: Cost

Switzerland is an expensive place in general and traveling there is even more expensive as you have to fork out for accommodation. But, that doesn’t mean everywhere in Switzerland is as expensive as the next, and this is certainly not the case for Bern and Lucerne. 

If you can shave off some savings by choosing Bern or Lucerne, then it might just make your Swiss adventure a little bit more special. 

When it comes to general costs, we are looking at accommodation, food, drinks, transport, and entertainment. Generally speaking, Lucerne and Bern cost similar amounts when it comes to food and entertainment, but Lucerne is more affordable in all the other categories. 

Daily local transport costs in Lucerne are about $9 a day, whereas it is $24 in Bern. Alcohol is around $16 per day in Lucerne and $19 in Bern. Accommodation costs about $100 a night in Lucerne and $118 a night in Bern. 

So, what does this all mean? Well, by visiting Lucerne, you will be saving close to $40 a day, and over 3 days, that’s an extra $120. I love looking at budgets like this, as you immediately get to save $120 or choose to spend it on an awesome experience in Lucerne that you wouldn’t get to do in Bern. 

Bern vs Lucerne: Transportation

The last thing anyone wants on a weekend getaway is to spend all their time getting from one place to the next instead of seeing what the city has to offer. 

Luckily, both Lucerne and Bern are very walkable cities meaning you can pretty much see most of what it has to offer on foot, especially the Old Town. 

But, walking around all day isn’t that appealing for everyone, so it is good to know you can fall back on transportation when you need it. 

Bern is home to an excellent tram system and bus system that will get you everywhere in the city very efficiently, this is Switzerland after all. Lucerne’s transportation includes a good bus network and you can also go on a cruise around Lake Lucerne to get to nearby attractions. 

When it comes to transportation, both Lucerne and Bern are incredibly similar. But, if a cruise along the stunning Lake Lucerne is top of your list, Lucerne wins.  

Bern vs Lucerne: Food

When it comes to food, both Lucerne and Bern are pretty much on par. You can find everything from traditional cuisines to fine dining options and even Michelin Star restaurants in the city center of both of them. 

Bern

When it comes to traditional food, Rosti is the main dish in Bern as it stems from the farmers around Bern. Rosti is like a potato pancake with added cheese and meat, it is absolutely delicious. 

Lucerne

You can also find Rosti in Lucerne along with other traditional dishes like cheese fondue and brätwurst, which you can also find in Bern too.

The main difference is that Lucerne has a lot of restaurants where you get to eat with a view across Lake Lucerne and into the alps beyond, whereas you can not find this at restaurants in Bern. 

Also, Lucerne is known for steak and many restaurants there have made steak their specialty. I love a good steak now and then, therefore this could swing it for me. 

Bern vs Lucerne: Accommodation

Both Lucerne and Bern have a range of hotels to suit your needs whether you are looking for 5-star luxury or budget options. The main difference, again, comes down to the locations of the popular cities. 

Lucerne

In Lucerne, you can find hotels that offer breathtaking views of Lake Lucerne and into the Alps. Bern, on the other hand, is a beautiful city, but it is not on the water’s edge like Lucerne is, which for me personally, makes a big difference. 

If you are looking for luxury in Lucerne, check out the Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern. It is right on the lake shore, has amazing views, and you can walk to the charming Old Town across Chapel Bridge in a few minutes. 

For a great budget option, check out Backpackers Lucerne. This is also right on the lake but you can be in the city center and Old Town in just a 15-minute walk. 

Bern

Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa is the top luxury hotel in Bern and it is right in the center of town making accessing the city sites on foot a breeze. The facilities are pretty epic too! 

For budget travelers, Hostel 77 Bern is your best option. It is affordable but you will have to get public transport to it since it is a bit outside of town. 

Bern vs Lucerne: Shopping

Everyone likes to do a little bit of shopping when they get to a new place and luckily for you, Bern and Lucerne offer great shopping opportunities. 

Bern

Bern is packed full of boutique shops, especially in the Old Town and there are some very cool markets worth checking out in Bern too. 

The more upmarket retail stores can be found on  Spitalgasse and Marktgasse where you will find Swiss watches, art, and high-end chocolate shops too. 

Lucerne

Lucerne Old Town is known for its plethora of unique little shops selling unique goods that are hard to find elsewhere. 

You can also find high-end boutique stores and it is a famous place in Switzerland for watches too. One can also find great jewelry, chocolate, and lots of shops selling Swiss army knives too.  

Bern vs Lucerne: Nightlife

Lucerne

Lucerne is quite a small city and therefore you might not expect to find much of a nightlife scene, but you would be wrong. 

In the summer, the lake shore is lined with more than 15 bars that all take on a beach vibe. It is a great place to spend the evenings drinking beer, Swiss wine, and cocktails. Not to mention, they have amazing views. 

Who wouldn’t want to watch the sunset colors drape themselves over the lake and the mountains with a cold drink in hand? 

There are also some great nightclubs in the Old Town and near the Reuss River too that stay open all the way until dawn. 

Bern

Bern is also home to fun nightlife and it has many bars, pubs, and clubs. The vibes aren’t quite as cool as Lucerne but head to the banks of the Aare River and you will find some cool bars. 

The nightclubs also book international DJs and have live music too, so you can easily party until dawn in Bern if you want to.  

Bern vs Lucerne: People and Culture

Lucerne

Lucerne is a much smaller city than Bern and since Bern is the capital of Switzerland, the local residents are far less international. Lucerne, however, is a tourist hub, and therefore, there is a non-permanent international crowd coming in and out. 

The locals in Lucerne are quite traditional and experiencing traditional Swiss culture is a great thing and a part of the reason to be there. 

Also, the city of Lucerne is full of historical culture. The medieval Old Town is immaculately preserved and with lake and mountain views, it is a quintessential Swiss city.  

Bern

Bern is also a traditional Swiss city, but it is more international and is a cultural center in Switzerland. The Old Town of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is full of museums, and stunning architecture to boot!

While Swiss tradition still runs true in Bern, it is slightly diluted with its international residents and the swathes of tourists, but it is easy to notice as you explore the city.

Bern vs Lucerne: Day Trips

Lucerne 

Lucerne is a wonderful position in central Switzerland meaning you can access some great places on a day trip from there. 

Mount Pilatus is just down the lake from Lucerne and you can get a cable car to the top to see some of the best views in Switzerland. The views are neverending across the lake, you can look down on the city, and all the peaks surrounding the lake too. 

Interlaken is just a 2-hour train ride from Lucerne. It is a magical town with a lake on either side and is right at the foot of the alps. Imagine a turquoise blue lake with the alps behind it, and that is what Interlaken has to offer. 

A cruise on the lake is also a great day trip in Lucerne as you can access some of the charming lakeside villages along the shores. 

A day trip to Zurich is also a great option as it is just a 40-minute train ride away. You can see the Old Town, Lake Zurich, and lots more before heading back to Lucerne. 

Bern

One of my favorite day trips from Bern is heading to Lake Geneva on the train. It takes just 1.5 hours and then you can get a boat from Lausanne to Montreux, and enjoy the views of the alps and across the lake. Plus, you should stop in at the beautiful Chateau de Chillon in Montreux. 

Interlaken is another wonderful day trip from Bern and you can be there in under an hour to gaze upon the lakes and the alps. 

You can also extend this trip and go to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, which is one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland. A valley of 72 waterfalls carved into the alps is not something to miss!  

A day trip to Zurich is also a great idea, as you will be there in under an hour and can explore the city for a day before heading back to Bern after dinner. 

Top Sights in Bern

The Old Town

Bern’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to medieval buildings that date back to the 12th and 15 centuries. It is a stunning place to walk around with the Aare River running through it and architectural wonders around each corner. 

Zytglogge

Zytglogge is the iconic medieval clock tower in Bern that dates back to the early 13th century. When visiting Bern, be sure to see it at the hour as its chimes and characters come out to play. 

Rosengarten

The Rose Garden in Bern is stunning. It is a park overlooking the city and if you are there at the right time it will be full of roses in bloom. It is a great place to relax and unwind away from the busy streets. 

Einstein Museum & Einstein House

Albert Einstein lived in Bern when he came up with his theory of relativity. Check out the dedicated exhibition in the Historical Museum of Bern to learn a ton about this amazing physicist that changed how we see the world. 

Alternatively, you can explore the two-story apartment where Einstein lived, now called Einstein House, in the center of Bern and also learn all about his life and works at the same time.

Historic Museum of Bern

The Historic Museum of Bern is worth visiting as it is home to over 500,000 objects from around the world. You can learn about almost every culture on the planet and a lot about Bern too. 

Gurten Park

Gurten Park is the best place in Bern to get a good view from. You can take the funicular to the top and see across to the Jura and the Bernese Alps. It is also a fun place for kids, a great place for lunch, and for a good walk. 

Top Sights in Lucerne

Chapel Bridge

Chapel Bridge is one of the top sights in Lucerne. Dating back to the 14th century it is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe. Stroll across it and take in the paintings along the ceiling that depict the history of Lucerne. 

The Swiss Museum of Transport

The Swiss Museum of Transport is one of the most popular museums in Switzerland. It is a great trip with the family, and you can see everything about transport including life-size planes, ships, trains, and more. 

Rosengart Museum

The Rosengart Museum is a special art museum in Lucerne and is home to many pieces by Picasso. You can find it in the Old Town. 

The Old Town 

Old Town Lucerne is a very well-preserved medieval town and strolling around it is a must when you visit Lucerne. With the cobble-stone alleyways and historic buildings sneeking up on your from every angle, you could spend hours here exploring Lucerne’s past.

Lion Monument

The Lion Monument is another must-see when you visit Lucerne. It was built in 1821 in honor of the Swiss Guards who died in the siege of Paris in 1792. 

Glacier Garden

Lucerne was once a beach on the sea, some 20 million years ago and the Lucerne Glacier Garden showcases this. You have to go and see it when you visit Lucerne and you can also see potholes from the last ice age that is 20,000 years old. 

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit these popular destinations is in the months of May, June, and September. This is when accommodation will be more affordable, the weather will be great, and there won’t be too many visitors around. 

The two weeks before Christmas are also lovely as there are Christmas markets, lights, and lots of festivities.