Should you visit Bucharest or Varna?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Bucharest and Varna. 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. So, let's dig into it.
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
Varna
Varna is a coastal city on the Black Sea. It's the third largest city in Bulgaria and many people consider it the summer capital of the country. It's a major tourist destination and it can make for a relaxing escape at the beach if you're in Bulgaria during the summer. It is the only city in Bulgaria that cruises visit, and as such, it's tourist infrastructure has grown. In addition to being a tourist destination, Varna is also a business and university center, seaport, and the headquarters of the Bulgarian Navy and merchant marine.
Which city is cheaper, Varna or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $123, while the average daily cost in Varna is $58. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Bucharest and Varna in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $112 for a double occupancy room in Bucharest.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Varna is $62. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
The price of a meal in Bucharest can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $52 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $21 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
Varna food costs typically run travelers around $21 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Bucharest $52
Varna $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
-
Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours:
$80
-
Cooking Class in Transylvania - Day Tour from Bucharest:
$199
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Walking Food Tour in the Old Town of Bucharest:
$199
-
Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience:
$223
-
Private Dracula Castle Tour by night and Romanian traditional dinner:
$331
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Bucharest is $23 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $8.30 per day to get around in Varna.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
-
Airport Private Transfer - to or from any Bucharest hotel:
$36
-
Airport transfer to Bucharest:
$27
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Business Car:
$142
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Luxury Van:
$165
-
Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City:
$41
-
Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City:
$55
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Bucharest Airport OTP to Bran Castle of Dracula:
$236
-
Best transfer from Bucharest Airport to City Center:
$3.72
-
Bran Castle of Dracula Yourself : Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP:
$236
-
Bucharest (OTP) airport transfer to Predeal - fixed price for up to 7 seats:
$299
-
Bucharest - Private Airport Transfer:
$15
-
Bucharest - Sibiu transfers:
$430
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:
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Private Arrival Transfer: Varna Airport to Sunny Beach:
$57
-
Private Minibus Transfer from Varna to Golden Sands:
$50
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Private One-way Transfer Varna Airport to Hotel or vice versa:
$42
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Private Round-Trip Transfer: Varna Airport to Sunny Beach:
$114
-
Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Burgas (BOJ) Airport:
$149
-
Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Sofia (SOF) Airport:
$342
-
Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Varna (VAR) Airport:
$40
-
Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Albena:
$47
-
Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Balchik:
$66
-
Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Bucharest:
$373
-
Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Burgas:
$128
-
Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Byala:
$72
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Varna?
Prices for flights to both Varna and Bucharest 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.
Entertainment
Bucharest's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $13 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $7.60 per person, per day in Varna. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Museum of Senses Bucharest Entrance Ticket:
$11
-
One Hour Epic Escape Room Adventure Mystery in Bucharest:
$14
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Half-day tour to the Mogoșoaia Palace by train from Bucharest:
$20
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3-Hour Guided Tour of Communist Bucharest:
$20
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Skip the line: Bucharest Parliament Palace Ticket:
$23
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Self-Guided Ruse from Bucharest Tour:
$24
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Skip the Line: Palace of the Parliament - Bucharest:
$25
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Dracula's Transylvania Virtual Private 2-Hour Live Guided Tour:
$31
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Bucharest panoramic tour (by car) and city center walking tour, Private tour:
$37
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Bucharest Panoramic Tour by Night - 3 hours:
$37
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Ticket to Ferestroika Museum of Family Life during Communism:
$39
-
Wooden Church from Maramures Tour:
$40
Tours and Activities in Varna
Here are a few actual costs in Varna for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Self-guided Retro Museum Varna Tour:
$8.96
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Self-guided tour in Varna Archaeological Museum + ticket:
$9.70
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Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences:
$17
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Pokémon GO Varna Private Tour:
$19
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Private Virtual Tour in Varna with a Local Guide:
$24
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The Ultimate Private Communist Tour of Varna:
$61
-
Bulgaria Day Bike Tours - countryside & seaside:
$82
-
Unique Boat Trip Experience from Varna:
$86
-
Varna - Aladza Monastery - Balchik - Kaliakra Cape Tour:
$187
-
Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna:
$223
-
Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the South of Varna:
$235
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Bucharest may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $8.19 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Varna may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.57 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Private Wine Tasting at Bucharest's First Wine Bar:
$65
-
Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting – 2.5 hours:
$88
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Bike & Wine tour in Dealu Mare wineland:
$96
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Wine tasting at the mansion, Dracula's grave from Snagov & Mogosoaia Palace:
$100
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Traditions in Village Museum and Wine Tasting Tour:
$100
-
Romanian Wine Tasting:
$106
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Planetarium in salt mine, Wine tasting and Dracula's grave, Private Tour:
$124
-
Wine tasting in lord mansions, nearby Bucharesti, the Romans wine road:
$124
-
Wine tasting - 1 Day Tour:
$129
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Private Full Day Tour to The Peles Castle & Wine Tasting - 9 Hours:
$134
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Salt Mine, Mud Volcanoes, and Wine Tasting Private Day Tour from Bucharest:
$139
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Constanta and Wine Tasting - Private Day Tour from Bucharest:
$143
Sample the Local Flavors in Varna
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Varna:
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Vineyards tour & wine tasting near Varna:
$5.31
-
Varna Exquisite Wine Tasting:
$40
-
Private Exploration: French Influence in Varna + Walking + Wine tasting tour:
$49
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The Ultimate Private Varna Walking, Culture & Wine Tasting Tour:
$61
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Private Varna Gourmet Tour with Superb Wine Tasting:
$61
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Varna, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Varna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Varna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varna 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest than you might in Varna.
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