Travel budget and cost of living in Bern (Switzerland) how much does a trip cost?

Bern travel budget

Bern: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Bern

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Bern for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Bern compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Bern in 2025 is 76% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Bern in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Bern by expense type

Restaurant budget in Bern

Lunch

$ 32/person
($ 20 to $ 52)

---

51% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 65/person
($ 45 to $ 93)

---

65% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 21/person
($ 17 to $ 24)

---

68% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Local beer

$ 9.2 for 500ml
($ 6.1 to $ 10.1)

---

53% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 2.3 for 330ml
($ 1.3 to $ 2.6)

---

35% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 6.3/cup
($ 3.8 to $ 8.9)

---

18% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Fizzy drink

$ 5.2/can
($ 3.8 to $ 6.3)

---

101% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Water bottle

$ 5/bottle
($ 2.6 to $ 6.3)

---

135% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Bern

1-star hotel

$ 149/night
($ 123 to $ 241)

---

12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 170

2-star hotel

$ 194/night
($ 111 to $ 502)

---

17% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 166

3-star hotel

$ 219/night
($ 128 to $ 460)

---

10% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 244

4-star hotel

$ 270/night
($ 142 to $ 577)

---

22% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 347

5-star hotel

$ 454/night
($ 321 to $ 640)

---

21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 578

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 213/month
($ 167 to $ 318)

---

21% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 177

Room with kitchen

$ 308/month
($ 118 to $ 908)

---

17% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 264

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 259/month
($ 129 to $ 503)

---

17% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223

Cottage or guest house

$ 202/month
($ 179 to $ 280)

---

20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 255

Family room

$ 376/month
($ 187 to $ 945)

---

74% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 217

Supermarket food budget in Bern

Milk

$ 2.3/litre
($ 1.9 to $ 2.4)

---

115% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 3.7/500g
($ 1.5 to $ 5)

---

3% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Rice

$ 4.3/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 6.3)

---

6% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 7.7/12 eggs
($ 4.2 to $ 13)

---

75% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4

Chicken

$ 35/kg
($ 20 to $ 42)

---

180% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 4/kg
($ 2.6 to $ 5)

---

25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 7.6/kg
($ 3.8 to $ 10)

---

54% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 2.3/kg
($ 1.5 to $ 3.8)

---

20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 1
($ 0.6 to $ 2.1)

---

51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Public and private transport budget in Bern

Bus ticket

$ 4/ticket
($ 3.6 to $ 6.5)

---

57% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 7.2/km
($ 4.8 to $ 7.6)

---

310% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.8

Petrol

$ 2.2/litre
($ 2.2 to $ 2.6)

---

152% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 8.3
($ 7.6 to $ 20)

---

135% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Leisure activity budget in Bern

Cinema

$ 27/ticket
($ 24 to $ 33)

---

77% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 52/hr
($ 39 to $ 58)

---

130% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Bern

Cigarettes

$ 12/pack
($ 12 to $ 14)

---

12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10.5

Levi's jeans

$ 159
($ 115 to $ 203)

---

194% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 69
($ 39 to $ 115)

---

57% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

London → Bern

$ 961
(fair price: $ 373)

Manchester → Bern

$ 917
(fair price: $ 353)

Dublin → Bern

$ 908
(fair price: $ 360)

Edinburgh → Bern

$ 1072
(fair price: $ 504)

New York City → Bern

$ 1726
(fair price: $ 901)