A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zurich vs. Bled for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zurich or Bled?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Bled. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Zurich or Bled?

Zurich

Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.

Bled

Bled is an incredibly scenic place, on the east side of Lake Bled. The lake is a beautiful, rich, emerald green. There's a small island in the middle of the lake where you'll find a nice white chapel. The lake is surrounded by striking green mountains, among which you'll find the Bled Castle overlooking the scene. Bled also offers access to the nearby Triglav National Park, a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies. Within the national park you'll find countless waterfalls and the lovely Lake Bohinj. You can find plenty of opportunities for mountain climbing, rafting, and hiking. There's even a cable car if you're looking for an easy way to get some good views of the mountains and landscape.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ljubljana, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana.


Which place is cheaper, Bled or Zurich?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $364, while the average daily cost in Bled is $146. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Zurich and Bled in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zurich $197
    Bled $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zurich $394
    Bled $130
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Bled

Looking for a hotel in Zurich or Bled? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Zurich


Hotels in Bled


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Zurich Hotel Prices and Bled Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zurich $41
    Bled $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:


  • City Pass (2)
    $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • ZRH Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $42
  • One-Way Private Airport Transfer: $151
  • 1-Way Private Transfer from the airport to Zurich: $216
  • Zurich to Zurich Airport (ZRH) - Departure Private Transfer : $80
  • Zurich to Lucerne one way Private Transfer : $296
  • Zurich to Basel or Basel to Zurich private transfer, Local driver: $185
  • Zurich to Basel Private Transfers: $271
  • Zurich City to Zurich Airport one way Private Transfer : $102
  • Zurich City to Zurich Airport ZRH Private Transfer Service: $137
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to/from Lucerne: $377
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to St Moritz: $693
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to St Anton am Arlberg: $467

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bled

Also for Bled, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bohinj Lake: Convenient Transfer to/from Bled Central: $22
  • Get a Transfer for you, Family, Group of Cyclists, hikers-around Julian Alps: $24
  • Private Taxi Transfer from Bled to Ljubljana Airport (Brnik): $137
  • Private transfer from Tržič to Ljubljana city: $149
  • Private Transfer from Bohinj to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $181
  • Private transfer from Tolmin to Ljubljana city: $225

Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Bled?

Prices for flights to both Bled and Zurich change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zurich $124
    Bled $57
Typical Food Prices in Zurich

Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:


  • Breakfast for 2
    $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.

  • Food Tour of 8+ Tastings with Cheeses & Chocolates: $154
  • Zurich Food Tour of 10 Local Delicacies with Cheeses & Chocolates: $156

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zurich $41
    Bled $15

Tours and Activities in Zurich

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:

  • 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $114
  • Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $160
  • Best of Zürich & Surroundings: Walking Tour, Cable Car and Ferry: $103
  • Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $84
  • Best of Zurich and Surroundings - Extended City Sightseeing Tour: $103
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
  • Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $163
  • Chocolate Walking Tour in Zurich: $96
  • Chocolate, Art, and History walking tour of Zurich: $94
  • Christmas Walking Tour in Zürich: Exploring Holiday Charm: $51
  • Cinematic Zurich – Photo and Video Shoot Tour: $566
  • City e-bike tour: $50

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bled

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bled's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Rafting
    $109

Tours and Activities in Bled

For Bled, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Rent of Ski Touring Equipment: $30
  • Bled Castle Skip the Line Entry Ticket with Audio Guide: $32
  • Lake Bled Express Walking Tour – Small Group, Free Cancellation: $42
  • Lake Bled Guided Walking Tour with Cream Cake: $42
  • Lake Sava River Rafting Experience with Hotel Pickup: $53
  • From Self-Guided E-Bike Tour to Vintgar Gorge: $53
  • From Self-Guided E-Bike Tour to Vintgar Gorge: $58
  • Vintgar Gorge Best Experience and Food Tasting: $59
  • Motorcycle Tours in Slovenia: $60
  • Vintgar Gorge Best Experience with Tasting (Self guided): $60
  • 3-Hour Family-Friendly Rafting Adventure: $64
  • Sava River Pack-Rafting Tour: $76

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zurich $34
    Bled $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich

Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $38

Typical Alcohol Prices in Bled

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bled are as follows:


  • Bottle of Champagne
    $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Bled

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bled:

  • Slovenian wine tasting at Hotel Triglav Bled's wine cellar: $35
  • Wine Tasting Bled with a sommelier: $68
  • 2-Hour Interactive Wine Tasting Experience in Bled: $69


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Bled, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Bled much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bled would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bled and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Bled.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Bled Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zurich or Bled?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Bled. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Bled, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Zurich or Bled?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Zurich or Bled in the Summer?

Both Bled and Zurich during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Zurich is generally cooler than Bled. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 21°C (70°F), and Bled fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Bled, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zurich. In the summer, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Bled. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bled receives 288 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Bled. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bled receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zurich 21°C (70°F) 
    Bled 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Bled in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Bled. The autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Zurich is cooler than Bled in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Bled fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Bled during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Bled receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zurich usually receives less rain than Bled. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bled receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zurich 13°C (56°F) 
    Bled 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Bled in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Bled. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. In the winter, Zurich is much colder than Bled. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zurich in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Bled averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Bled. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bled receives 96 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Bled. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bled receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zurich 3°C (37°F) 
    Bled 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Bled in the Spring?

Both Bled and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zurich for the natural beauty.

In April, Zurich is generally cooler than Bled. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 12°C (53°F), and Bled fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Bled during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Bled receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zurich usually receives less rain than Bled. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bled receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zurich 12°C (53°F) 
    Bled 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Bled and Zurich

Zurich Bled
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)