Switzerland
City guide · Switzerland
Bern
About Bern
Bern is the federal city of Switzerland and the seat of its government, yet it keeps the calm, unhurried feel of a provincial town. Its medieval Old Town, set on a loop of the fast-flowing Aare river, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for sandstone houses, covered arcades and painted fountains.
Highlights include the Zytglogge clock tower with its astronomical clock, the Bern Minster with views from its tower, the Federal Palace (Bundeshaus), and the arcaded shopping streets of the Old Town. Across the river, the BärenPark is home to the city's famous bears, and the Rose Garden above it offers a classic view over the rooftops. Albert Einstein lived and worked in Bern, and his former flat is open to visitors.
One or two nights work well. Bern combines easily with Interlaken, about 50 minutes away by train, as well as Thun, Lucerne, Zurich and the Emmental cheese country. It is a good base for day trips into the Bernese Oberland.
The compact, walkable centre and the arcades, which offer shelter in rain, make Bern comfortable for families and senior travellers.
Practical Information
Useful to know before your group arrives in Bern.
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Bern has a central European climate, with warm summers, cold winters and rain through the year.
- Spring (March–May): Cool to mild, with highs from around 10°C to 18°C.
- Summer (June–August): Warm, with highs around 23–25°C and occasional thunderstorms.
- Autumn (September–November): Mild in September, then cooler with frequent fog, highs falling to around 6–8°C.
- Winter (December–February): Cold, with highs around 2–4°C, nights below freezing and some snow.
May to September is the most comfortable time to visit. Pack layers, a rain jacket and comfortable shoes for cobbled streets; warm clothing is essential in winter.
- Arriving: Most international travellers fly into Zurich Airport, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Bern by direct train. Geneva Airport is around two hours away by train. Bern also has a small regional airport with limited flights.
- Getting around: The Old Town is easy to explore on foot. Trams and buses cover the rest of the city, and the Swiss Travel Pass is valid on local public transport.
- Tickets: Buy tickets before boarding from machines or the SBB app; day tickets are available for longer days of sightseeing.
- Groups: Traffic in the Old Town is restricted, so coaches set down at its edge and groups continue on foot along the arcades.
An eSIM or a European data plan bought before travel usually costs much less than Indian international roaming packs. Switzerland is not in the EU, so an EU plan may not cover it; check that your eSIM includes Switzerland. Local prepaid SIMs are sold in shops and at airports; a passport is needed at purchase.
Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and many stations. Switzerland uses 230 V with Type C/J plugs; Indian Type D plugs do not fit, so a universal adapter is needed.
Bern has a modest choice of Indian restaurants, with more variety in Zurich. Vegetarian food is easy to find in Switzerland, and Jain meals should be requested in advance through the DMC or the restaurant. Halal options exist through Turkish and Middle Eastern takeaways but are less common than in larger cities.
Swiss dishes that are naturally vegetarian include cheese fondue, raclette served with potatoes and pickles, and Rösti, crisp grated potato (check it is not cooked with bacon). Supermarket chains such as Migros, Coop, Denner, Aldi and Lidl are useful for fruit, yoghurt, bread and snacks, and the main station has well-stocked shops.
Tailor-made for your group
Planning Bern for Your Group?
We don't list ready-made sightseeing or itineraries for Bern yet, but our team can plan it for you: hotels, guided sightseeing, transfers and onward connections. Share your dates and group size and we'll send a proposal built around Bern.
Itineraries in Switzerland
None of our set itineraries includes an overnight stay in Bern yet. These Switzerland itineraries can be adapted to include it.
