Murten versus Bern

Those places are 35 minutes apart by train, so there's no way I'd split my hotel nights, though I grant you that Swiss trains are rather expensive per mile.

I've been to both Murten and Bern, but very long ago. I'd be glad to return to both, but Murten is a lot smaller, so I'd prefer to spend the night in Bern. Depending on where you're arriving from and traveling to next, perhaps you could see Murten in transit?

A plus for Bern is that many of the streets are arcaded, so if you're unlucky with the weather (an experience I've had all too often in Switzerland, and all my time there was after Memorial Day), you can stay fairly dry as you sightsee.

We spent 3 weeks in Bern this summer and day tripped to charming little Murten. Bern has lots to do over several days. Murten can be enjoyed in a few hours or less on a Sunday since very little is open on Sundays.

We did a day trip to Murten and found it less than charming with little to do. I can't imagine spending a night there There is part of an old wall to walk and a park and a shopping street. Bern is definitely worth visiting. We spent a half day there.

Murten also has arcades. The streets are slightly inclined downhill from the station (after you go up) as you walk through.

Much less traffic, a wall, basically three parallel streets and when you are done, turn around and walk back. Scenic enough. The castle is closed to the general public.

Bern has way more traffic, buses, trams, two funicular railways, a fun high hill top (the Gurten), a super cool river, bears, and a great vibe.

The two are really quite different, the main similarity is that they both have arcades but even the arcades are very different - the ones in Murten are much lower and closer in a mostly good way - but if you don't like them you can walk around in Murten and not get hit because there is very little traffic.

See both but stay at one, whichever appeals more.

If you stay in Bern you get free travel on the local buses, trains and trams.