Which place is cheaper, Varenna or Alexandria?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Alexandria or Varenna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alexandria and Varenna can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Alexandria or Varenna?
Alexandria
There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.
Varenna
A golden light cascades from the heavens, bathing the misty blue mountains in a honey haze. The shivering waters of Lake Como blend the gentle blues and yellows of the sky to a tea rose pink that sits under white sailboats. A quaint village hustled around lush gardens, Varenna, Italy is an attractive fishing village that dates back to the eleventh century. Founded in 769 AD by fisherman, the town was originally destroyed in 1126 AD by the rival town Como, only to be restored refugees from the Isola Comacina whose town was also destroyed. Located on the eastern shore of the lake in the province of Lecco, Varenna is filled with a romantic air from its old Italian fisherman houses to the picturesque lanes. Unlike the towns of Bellagio or Milan, Varenna holds a particular authenticity to Italian culture without the burdens of tourist-ridden streets and hotel-packed areas. As Lake Como works as the main attraction of Varenna, the village provides its visitors with a wide array of entertainment on its pebbly beaches. Besides this, Varenna is also known for its exquisite gardens of two villas, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Besides this, Varenna also has museums just waiting to be explored. Take a tranquil retreat to Varenna!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlexandria $17Varenna $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $17, while the average daily cost in Varenna is $176. 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 Alexandria and Varenna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlexandria $7.99Varenna $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlexandria $16Varenna $184
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Varenna
Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Varenna? 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.
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: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Varenna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alexandria $2.49Varenna $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:
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Taxi to Train Station$0.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:
- Private transfer from Luxor to Alexandria: $243
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $73
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $71
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria City Hotels: $16
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria: $26
- Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $52
- Private Pickup Transfer From A Hotel In Alexandria To Borg Al Arab Airport: $50
- Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
- From Private Transfer to Luxor: $251
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $75
- Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varenna
Also for Varenna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varenna : Private transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $358
Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Varenna?
Prices for flights to both Varenna and Alexandria 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
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Food Meals for one dayAlexandria $6.46Varenna $57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.
- Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $35
- Alexandria Food Tour: $50
- From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varenna
For Varenna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alexandria $3.50Varenna $36
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour to Alamein and Alexandria: $169
- National Museum and Egyptian museum Private Tour in Egypt: $258
- Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria: $16
- 10-Hour Historical Pyramids Tour from Alexandria Port: $130
- 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $174
- 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $155
- 6-Hour Day Tour to Alexandria Attractions with Pickup Included: $78
- 6-Hour Private Day Tour to Rashid from Alexandria: $100
- 8 Days Ultra Luxury Cairo, Alexandria & Nile cruise: $4,190
- Alamein full day tour from Alexandria: $95
- Alexandria : Rosetta Day Tour from Alexandria: $117
- Alexandria : Tour to WadiElNatroun Monastery from Alexandria: $135
Tours and Activities in Varenna
For Varenna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lake Como Shared Boat Tour: $32
- Lake Como Sightseeing Cruise (90 minutes): $43
- Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $112
- Sunset shared boat tour with aperitif from Varenna: $118
- Picnic Experience in the Italian Alps: $150
- Private Luxury Boat Tour of Lake Como with Stops & Drinks: $491
- Bellagio: Private Tour on Vintage Wooden Boat: $664
- Lake Como: Grand Private Tour 5 hours Invictus boat: $1,551
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlexandria $1.35Varenna $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Varenna
Also in Varenna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Castello di Vezio: $112
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Villa Monastero: $134
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Varenna, we can see that Varenna is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alexandria is in Africa and Varenna is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Varenna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varenna than you might in Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Varenna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Varenna?
Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 4510 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Varenna, 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 Alexandria or Varenna?
Varenna has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Alexandria experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Alexandria or Varenna in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Varenna. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Varenna for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 26°C (79°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite rainy in Varenna. Alexandria usually gets less rain in July than Varenna. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlexandria 26°C (79°F)Varenna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Varenna in the Autumn?
Both Varenna and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Alexandria is much warmer than Varenna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 22°C (72°F) in October, and Varenna fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Varenna. In October, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Varenna. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlexandria 22°C (72°F)Varenna 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Varenna in the Winter?
Both Varenna and Alexandria during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Alexandria because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.
It's quite cold in Varenna in the winter. In the winter, Alexandria is much warmer than Varenna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Alexandria in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Varenna averages at about 5°C (41°F).
Alexandria usually gets less rain in January than Varenna. Alexandria gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlexandria 13°C (55°F)Varenna 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Varenna in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Varenna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Varenna for the natural beauty.
In April, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 19°C (66°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Varenna receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Varenna. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlexandria 19°C (66°F)Varenna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Varenna and Alexandria
| Alexandria | Varenna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.