Which place is cheaper, Varna or Helsinki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Helsinki or Varna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Varna can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Helsinki or Varna?
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHelsinki €139Varna €61
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €139, while the average daily cost in Varna is €61. 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 Helsinki and Varna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki €73Varna €33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki €146Varna €66
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Varna
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki or Varna? 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: Helsinki Hotel Prices and Varna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki €22Varna €8.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Private Transfer Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL by business car: $64
- Departure Transfer: Helsinki to Airport HEL in Business Car: $97
- Guided Tallinn Day Tour from Helsinki / Include hotel transfers: $218
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki West Terminal - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
- Helsinki Airport (HEL): One-Way Transfer to/from Helsinki: $144
- Helsinki Airport (HEL): Transfer to Helsinki Cruise Terminal: $129
- Helsinki Airport VIP Transfers: Exclusive Comfort&Efficiency: $134
- Helsinki City hotels to Helsinki Airport (HEL) Departure Transfer: $41
- Helsinki Private Airport & City Transfer: $82
- Helsinki Private Transfer: $158
- Helsinki Private Transfer from Helsinki city centre to Helsinki airport: $98
- Helsinki Stopover Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transfers: $139
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:
- Varna to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $644
- Varna Airport - Ravda | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $136
- Varna Airport - Nessebar | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $131
- Private Transfer from Varna to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $128
- Private Transfer from Varna Airport (VAR) to Burgas Cruise Port: $65
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Varna City: $22
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sveti Vlas: $109
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sunny Beach: $219
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sozopol: $155
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Saints Constantine and Helena: $25
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Pomorie: $118
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Obzor: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Varna?
Prices for flights to both Varna and Helsinki 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 dayHelsinki €34Varna €22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD Tour with Rooftop Bar Visit in Helsinki: $106
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $108
- Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings: $164
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Helsinki €27Varna €8.04
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tip-Based City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $2.14
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Tip-based Free Walking Tour Helsinki - RED UMBRELLA TOURS: $5.13
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
- Helsinki Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $6.95
- Temppeliaukio Church Entrance Ticket: $8.56
- From Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to Suomenlinna: $8.64
- Suomenlinna: Museum Ticket: $9.62
- Historical Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- 4D Flying Cinema Tour of Helsinki Tickets: $14
- Self-Guided City Highlights Audio Tour: $14
Tours and Activities in Varna
Here are a few actual costs in Varna for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Action Aqua Park Entrance Ticket: $25
- Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
- Bulgaria Day Bike & E-bike Tours - country & sea: $63
- E-Motorcycle Tour in Old Rock Monastery and Old Roman Fortress : $114
- From Hiking and Climbing Day Tour: $74
- From Rock Sanctuaries Hiking Tour: $74
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna: $206
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the South of Varna: $206
- Full-Day Small-Group Tour of Bulgaria by Minivan with Lunch: $87
- GPS & Video guided Tour to The North Coast Of The Black Sea: $183
- Guided Nessebar Sightseeing Tour with Pick Up: $108
- Half Day Private Bicycle Tour in Varna: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHelsinki €16Varna €8.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Varna
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Varna:
- Private Exploration: French Influence in Varna + Walking + Wine tasting tour: $53
- Bulgarian Wine Tasting & Art Gallery Experience in Varna: $53
- Varna Exquisite Wine Tasting: $64
- Private Varna Gourmet Tour with Superb Wine Tasting: $64
- The Ultimate Private Varna Walking, Culture & Wine Tasting Tour: $75
- E-bike & Wine Tour to the Bulgarian Coast: $104
- Varna Gourmet Tour including Wine Tasting: $127
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Varna, we can see that Helsinki 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki than you might in Varna.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Helsinki Expensive? and Is Varna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Varna?
Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Varna, 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 Helsinki or Varna?
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 Helsinki or Varna in the Summer?
Both Varna and Helsinki during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Helsinki is cooler than Varna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Helsinki in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Varna averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In Varna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Helsinki. In the summer, Helsinki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Varna. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varna receives 268 hours of full sun.
Helsinki usually gets more rain in July than Varna. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Varna receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHelsinki 17°C (62°F)Varna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Varna in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Varna. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year.
In October, Helsinki is generally much colder than Varna. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 6°C (42°F), and Varna fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Varna during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Varna receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Varna. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Varna receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHelsinki 6°C (42°F)Varna 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Varna in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Varna. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Varna can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. Helsinki is much colder than Varna in the winter. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Varna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Varna. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varna receives 83 hours of full sun.
Helsinki usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Varna. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Varna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHelsinki -6°C (21°F)Varna 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Varna in the Spring?
Both Varna and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the spring for the natural beauty.
Helsinki can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Helsinki is much colder than Varna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Helsinki in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Varna averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Varna during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Varna receives 156 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of rain as Varna. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Varna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHelsinki 3°C (37°F)Varna 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Varna and Helsinki
| Helsinki | Varna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 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.