Capital city, Switzerland
Bern
Relaxed federal capital with arcaded old town, Aare river swimming and a calm pace. Good for a slower solo trip or day-trip base; fewer nightlife and expat options than Zurich, and still expensive.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$5,190–7,240Comfortable, one person · CHF4,300–6,000Details
- Value for money2/100Better value than 1% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 24°CDetails
- Air quality9 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet281 MbpsFixed broadband, Switzerland medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent water; public fountains in the old town are drinkable unless marked otherwise.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$133–241Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundTram and bus (Bernmobil)Very walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless almost everywhere; carry francs for markets and some small kiosks.Details
Where to stay in Bern
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Altstadt (Old Town) | UNESCO arcades, fountains, restaurants; best for short stays |
| Länggasse | University area with cheaper food, bars and cafés |
| Kirchenfeld and Marzili | Quiet residential area near the Aare and museums |
Apps that work in Bern
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Just Eat | Takeaways and local restaurants |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- SBB Mobile: All trains, buses, boats and tickets
- MeteoSwiss: Mountain weather and storm warnings
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and expensive; the old town is pedestrian-friendly. Book by phone or use the station taxi rank.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Switzerland.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless almost everywhere; carry francs for markets and some small kiosks.
- Currency: Franc (CHF). US$1 ≈ CHF0.83 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs often dispense francs and euros; decline the machine's currency conversion and check your bank's foreign fees.
- Tipping: Service is included by law; rounding up or a few francs for good service is plenty.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted; TWINT, the local payment app, needs a Swiss bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Switzerland is in Schengen but not the EU: 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area.
- The EU Entry/Exit System applies here too: non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a face photo at first entry.
- ETIAS (a €20 online pre-travel authorisation) is not required yet; its start has been delayed, so check before travel.
Emergency numbers
Police 117 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 118 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, J · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from carrier shops, kiosks and supermarkets; passport registration required. Many EU roaming plans exclude Switzerland, so check before using yours. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Switzerland
Going to Bern solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.