Which place is cheaper, Varenna or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Varenna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Varenna, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Ephesus or Varenna?
Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).
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 Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $143Varenna $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, 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 Ephesus and Varenna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Varenna $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Varenna $184
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Varenna
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus 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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Varenna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Varenna $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP Transfer Kusadasi From/To Bodrum Airport: $128
- Transfer izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Davutlar: $98
- Scuba Diving Experience in Kusadasi with Instructor and Transfer: $60
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Selçuk, Ephesus, Şirince: $131
- Private Transfers From Kusadasi: $173
- Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $120
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $24
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi hotels: $24
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi Hotels: $22
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Izmir Airport (ADB): $58
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 Ephesus or Varenna?
Prices for flights to both Varenna and Ephesus 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 dayEphesus $33Varenna $57
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:
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Sandwiches$0.15
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Dessert$0.17
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Lunch at Beach (for 2)$0.59
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Snacks$0.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus
For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110
- Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village: $149
- Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $211
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $228
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.Ephesus $59Varenna $36
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- Ephesus Half Day Small Group Tour: $40
- Ephesus Shared Tour from Kuşadası Port: $130
- Ephesus Tour With Small Group From Kusadasi: $76
- Ephesus Tour from Kusadası Port: $44
- Ephesus small groups Tour For Cruisers (skip the line): $100
- Ephesus tours Sirince Village from Kusadasi Port with lunch: $63
- Ephesus tours and Virgin Mary's House Temple Artemis tours : $67
- Private Tour Ephesus for Cruise Guests : $250
- Private Tour to Ephesus, Virgin Mary, and Artemis Temple From Cruise Ship/Hotel: $120
- Small Group Pamukkale Day Tour from Selcuk or Kusadası : $93
- "Ephesus Tours" Port Kusadasi lunch guide bus shopping Caravanserai artemis : $58
- "No Better Way to Explore History - Affordable Ephesus Tour": $30
Tours and Activities in Varenna
For Varenna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bellagio: Private Tour on Vintage Wooden Boat: $664
- Lake Como: Grand Private Tour 5 hours Invictus boat: $1,551
- Private Luxury Boat Tour of Lake Como with Stops & Drinks: $491
- Sunset shared boat tour with aperitif from Varenna: $118
- Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $112
- Lake Como Shared Boat Tour: $32
- Lake Como Sightseeing Cruise (90 minutes): $43
- Picnic Experience in the Italian Alps: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Varenna $24
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:
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Beer$0.12
Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus
Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skip-the-line Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $53
- Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
- Ephesus&Sirince Village with Wine Tasting Shore Ex: $100
- Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $100
- Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House: $130
- Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $134
- Virgin Mary Bread and Wine Tour included Lunch: $300
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 Ephesus and Varenna, we can see that Varenna is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus 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 Ephesus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Varenna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Varenna?
Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus 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 Ephesus or Varenna?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Ephesus or Varenna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Varenna. Furthermore, many visitors come to Varenna in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Ephesus is a little warmer than Varenna in the summer. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Varenna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Varenna this time of the year. In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.
Varenna receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Varenna. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Varenna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Varenna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Varenna. Additionally, most visitors come to Varenna for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Ephesus is a little warmer than Varenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ephesus in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Varenna averages at about 15°C (58°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Varenna. Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Varenna. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Varenna 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Varenna in the Winter?
Both Varenna and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Varenna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Varenna can be very cold. In January, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 10°C (50°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Ephesus. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Varenna. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Varenna 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Varenna in the Spring?
Both Varenna and Ephesus during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.
Ephesus is a little warmer than Varenna in the spring. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Varenna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the spring, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun.
Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Varenna. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Varenna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Varenna and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Varenna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 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.