Bern
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Bern travel guide, exploring the capital city of Switzerland. While Zurich or Geneva may be larger, Bern is the perfect small city to highlight Switzerland’s heritage and diversity, with its Unesco World-Heritage listed Old Town made up of cobbled streets, museums and hidden cellars.
While Zurich and Geneva are much larger, Bern is, in fact, the lesser-known capital of Switzerland and, as a result, Bern delivers big on Swiss heritage, history and sightseeing in a small, beautiful city. Whether it’s interesting museums, great views or delicious food that you’re after, Bern has it. What’s more is that Bern is superbly well-connected to both Zurich and Geneva as well as being on the edge of some of Switzerland’s most beautiful and scenic rural spots, making it a great destination to get an overview of what Switzerland has to offer.
Bern Travel Guide Contents
Check out our other Switzerland Travel Guides:
Basel Travel Guide | Geneva Travel Guide | Lucerne Travel Guide | Zurich Travel Guide
Bern Travel Guide
How to get to Bern
Bern is well connected to the rest of Switzerland and, as a result, the world. Bern does have it’s very own airport, however, it serves limited flights which are primarily to European holiday destinations, so is more useful for the residents of Bern than any one else. Bern is easily accessible via public transport from Zurich Airport (ZRH), EuroAirport (BSL) in Basel and Geneva Airport (GVA), as well as many other cities in Switzerland. The most convenient and popular arrival airport of the three is Zurich Airport. It is the largest international airport in Switzerland and many domestic, European and international flights operate in and out of the airport. It is a large, modern airport with great facilities. Chances are that wherever you arrive into Bern from, you’ll arrive into Bern train station. The main train station in Bern is large, full of shops, eateries and services and located in the heart of Bern city centre. To help you plan your trip and to get to Bern the best possible way, here is an overview of how to get to Bern city centre from some of the closest and most major Swiss cities and airports:
From Zurich City and Airport – Trains from Zurich Airport and Zurich HB depart direct to Bern every 30 minutes. The journey from Zurich Airport to Bern takes 1hr 15 minutes, while the journey from Zurich HB takes 56 minutes on the fastest services. Tickets can be bought at the desks or machines at the station or online. Tickets from Zurich Airport to Lucerne cost 56 CHF ($60) one way, per person and 51 CHF ($55) one way, per person from Zurich HB. You can also purchase ‘supersaver’ tickets for a specific train in advance at Trainline and save as much as 30 CHF ($33) per ticket! A taxi from Zurich Airport to Bern is an expensive option and not recommended. The journey will take around 1hr 30 minutes and will cost in the region of 400 CHF ($430)
From Geneva- Direct trains from Bern to Lucerne leave every hour. The journey takes around one hour and standard tickets cost 39 CHF ($42) per person, one way. You can get a reduced price ‘supersaver’ ticket for a specific train for around 30 CHF ($32) per person, one way if you buy the ticket at least a few days in advance online at Trainline. A taxi from Bern to Lucerne will cost a staggering price of around 400 CHF ($430) and will take around 1hr 30 minutes
From Basel – There is one direct train service per hour from Basel to Bern, with the journey taking 1 hour. Standard train tickets for this journey cost 41 CHF ($44) and ‘supersaver’ tickets bought a few days in advance for a specific train can be as low as 21 CHF ($23). You can buy either type of ticket online at Trainline. You can check out our Basel travel guide for more information on how to get from EuroAirport to Basel train station.
Areas to stay in Bern
While Bern is a small city, there are a few different areas for visitors to stay in and choosing which one best suits your needs can make a big difference to your experience in the city. However, like many Swiss cities, the public transport in Bern is excellent so getting around is a breeze, wherever you’re staying. Here is a quick guide to the most popular areas to stay in Bern:
Old Town – Full of so many things to see and do and lots of shops and restaurants, we’d recommend any first-time visitor to Bern to stay in Bern Old Town. This is easily the most scenic area of town and is close to public transport links as well as having the largest selection of accommodation options
Langgasse – Situated to the west of Bern, near the main train station, Langgasse is the university district of the city and is a great place to stay for those on a budget who still want to be close to the Old Town. In recent years the area has been populated by many independent shops and restaurants, making it a great little area to have a wander around, even if you decide not to stay there
Kirchenfeld – Also referred to as the museum district of Bern, Kirchenfeld is located on the other side of the Aare river from the Old Town and is home to some of the largest museums in Bern. There is also a large park and the zoo in this area, making it ideal for families
Breitenrain – Located north of Bern’s Old Town, Breitenrain is a great area for those wanting to be close to some of Bern’s large exhibition centres. There are also lots of accommodation options in this area as well as links to public transport
Accommodation in Bern
As the capital city of Switzerland, Bern is well-equipped with a variety of accommodation options to suit any traveller. Its compact nature also means that wherever you stay in the city, you’re never too far from the Old Town or a train station. Like many Swiss cities, accommodation prices can be high in Bern so it’s always advisable to book in advance where possible, be flexible with your dates and travel in off-peak season. To help you find the perfect place, here are just a few of our top picks of where to stay in Bern:
Budget Hostel | Bern Youth Hostel – Located in the centre of Bern, just a 5-minute walk from some of the city’s main attractions, Bern Youth Hostel is a fresh, contemporary and simple option for those on a budget, offering everything from dorms to private family rooms with a good breakfast included
Mid-Range Hotel | Prizeotel Bern City – Prizeotel Bern-City is a solid mid-range option for those wanting to be in the heart of the action, situated just a 15-minute walk from Bern’s Old Town. As a chain hotel, Prizeotel offers all the amenities and facilities that you would expect from a modern hotel and includes a terrace, shared lounge, buffet breakfast and a business centre
High-End Hotel | The Bristol – Situated in the centre of Bern’s Old Town, The Bristol Hotel is a boutique hotel featuring unique and contemporary, English inspired, rooms. This 4-star hotel offers guests free bicycle hire for exploring Bern city, a fitness centre, and a great restaurant and bar area to unwind in at the end of the day. A superb option for those wanting something a little special on their trip to Bern
Luxury Hotel | Hotel Savoy – Just a few minute’s walk from Bern train station, Hotel Savoy is a great luxury option for those visiting Bern. With classy, modern rooms that are well-equipped and superbly comfortable, the hotel is a great place to relax at the end of a day exploring Bern
How to get around Bern
The easiest and most enjoyable way to get around Bern is by foot, and, due to the small size of Bern city, the majority of attractions can be accessed within just 30 minutes walk of each other. However, Bern city is also home to a fantastic public transport system that, if you need it, will get you from A to B with ease. If you’re staying in a hotel for at least 1 night while in Bern then you will receive a Bern Ticket during your stay, which gives you free public transport for the duration of your stay in that hotel. Here is a quick guide on how to get around Bern:
Tram, Bus & Trolleybus – This is the main and most popular public transport in Bern and will allow visitors to access the majority of the city. Operating times depend on specific lines but are generally from around 05:00 to 00:30. Journeys are priced by zones and Bern city centre is zone 100 and 101. A day pass for the Bern city centre costs 5.60 CHF ($5.70), a single ticket valid for 1-hour costs 2.80 CHF ($2.90) and a short distance ticket (under 1.5km) costs 2.00 CHF ($2). You can buy tickets at most stations from the ticket machines
Train – There are both local and intercity trains in Bern. Intercity trains depart Bern to other cities in Switzerland including Zurich, Basel, Lucerne and Geneva. We recommend purchasing tickets for these journeys online via Trainline. A train is also a great option for day trips from Bern to places such as Interlaken
Taxi – Taxies are readily available throughout Bern but are a relatively expensive way to get around. The base charge for Bern taxis is 6.80 CHF ($7) and 3.90 CHF-4.50 CHF ($4-4.60) for every kilometre thereafter. Uber is also available in Bern and can be considerably cheaper than standard taxis
Things to do in Bern
Bern is home to some of Switzerland’s best museums, a splendid Old Town and is on the doorstep of some of the most scenic natural areas in the country. It is a great place to soak up some culture while also using it as a base for exploring some of Switzerland’s stunning countryside spots. Here is our compact list of the top 5 things to do in Bern:
Bern Cathedral – Also called Bern Minster, this is the tallest cathedral in Switzerland and began construction in 1421. Taking some time to visit the inside of the Cathedral is a must. Climbing the tower to see the views over Bern is also well worth it and costs 5 CHF ($5.50) per person
Explore the Old Town – A Unesco World Heritage site, Bern Old Town is a beautiful example of historical Swiss architecture and exploring the cobbled streets, old cellars and stone arches that scatter the Old Town is one of the most enjoyable experiences when visiting Bern
The Einstein & Historical Museum – One of the most important historical museums in Switzerland, the Historical Museum is home to over 500,000 objects and, combined with the Einstein Museum, which contains various displays on the life and works of Einstein, the two make an excellent day out in Bern. A combined ticket for both museums costs 18 CHF ($18.50)
Rosengarten – Bern’s Rose Garden, situated on a hillside overlooking the city, is the perfect place to enjoy views and unwind in beautifully landscaped gardens
Interlaken Day Trip – Trains from Bern to Interlaken take just 54 minutes and take visitors to one of the most spectacular natural areas in Switzerland. Interlaken is well known for its lake views, skiing and outdoor activities
What to eat in Bern
Bern is home to around 550 restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from, with a vast selection of cuisines to choose from including Swiss, German, Italian, Asian and much more. Traditional Swiss-German food is the most popular type of Swiss food in Bern and you’ll find lots of it including Swiss favourites such as fondue and rosti. Here are our top picks of what to eat in Bern, Switzerland during your visit:
Spaetzle – A type of small style dumpling that is commonly served as a side dish. Made from soft wheat flour, eggs and water
Schnitzel – Also popular in Austria, Schnitzel is commonly a veal or pork fillet that is coated in breadcrumbs
Raclette – Raclette is a type of cheese and it is warmed until gooey and then poured over potato and pickles
Cheese Fondue – One of the most famous dishes in Switzerland, cheese fondue is melted Swiss cheese in a pot to which bread is dipped and sometimes potatoes and pickles too. It is usually served as one pot for a few to share
Swiss Chocolate – One of Switzerland’s most famous foods, Swiss chocolate is simply delicious and can be found in shops all over Switzerland and Bern
Money - Bern Travel Costs
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF or Fr). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Switzerland, including in Bern, and there are plenty of ATMs that accept foreign cards. A service charge is rarely added to the bill in Bern, and is not expected, but is appreciated and a tip of 5-20% is common. Like much of Switzerland, Bern is an expensive city to visit but you can save on many aspects of travel to Switzerland by booking travel and accommodation ahead of time. Eating and drinking out is a hard expense to avoid, so we advise budgeting accordingly for this. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) in Bern for:
A local draught beer – CHF 5 – CHF 8 ($5.50-$8.50)
A coffee – CHF 3.50 – CHF 5.50 ($4-$6)
A bratwurst (Swiss sausage with bread roll and mustard) – CHF 5 – CHF 9 ($5.50-$10)
Budget restaurant meal – CHF 18 – CHF 35 ($19.50-$38)
Mid-range restaurant meal – CHF 35 – CHF 60 ($38-$65)
High-end restaurant meal – CHF 70+ ($76+)
When to go to Bern and for how long
Reasons to visit Bern, and Switzerland in general, vary from person to person and can range from a city break to a stop on the way to some wilder outdoor activities in the Swiss countryside. For skiing and winter sports, visit between December and February but for general sightseeing visit between April and October. Peak summer season in Switzerland is from June to August, this is also when the weather is warmest, making for great conditions to explore the country. Unsurprisingly, accommodation in Bern is the most expensive during this time so try to visit in April or May for more reasonable prices. Ultimately Switzerland is a year-round destination, but the only thing to note is that from November to March some outdoor attractions will be closed due to poor weather. We would recommend visiting Bern for at least 1-2 days if possible and if you’re looking to incorporate some day trips outside of the city into your visit, then you could stay for 3-4 days.
Local language and phrases
The primary language that is used in Bern is German or Swiss-German, but it is common to hear both German and French being spoken throughout Bern. Some useful German and Swiss-German phrases to use while you are visiting Bern are:
Hello – Hallo or Grüezi
Bye – Uf Widerluege or Ciao
Thanks – Danke
Please – Bitte
Yes – Ja
No – Nein
Where is the WC? – Wo isch d’Toilette
Bern travel tips
– Bern is a very safe city to visit and is safe for lone travellers, including lone females
– There are a range of places to eat including those specialising in vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets
Bern travel guide written in April 2022
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Bern Walking Tour Route
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