Which place is cheaper, Varna or Kiev?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kiev or Varna?
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 Kiev and Varna can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Kiev or Varna?
Kiev
Kiev is the capital city and also the largest city in the Ukraine, with a population of almost 3 million in the metropolitan area. It is situated on the Dnieper River in the north central part of the country and is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, dating back to the fifth century. The people in Kiev are quite friendly and welcoming, and are happy to have you in their city. It can, however, be difficult to communicate and get around if you don't speak at least a little Russian. It is doable with a little sign language and the help of a guide book with translations though.
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 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKiev $26Varna $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Kiev is $26, while the average daily cost in Varna is $65. 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 Kiev and Varna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKiev $17Varna $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKiev $34Varna $70
Compare Hotels in Kiev and Varna
Looking for a hotel in Kiev 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: Varna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kiev $1.03Varna $9.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiev
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiev:
- Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City in Business Car: $60
- Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $67
- Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev City to Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP in Business Car: $60
- Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV in Business Car: $55
- Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $60
- Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City: $67
- Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $55
- Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $60
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Boryspil Airport KBP: $60
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $60
- Luxury Arrival Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $80
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer from Kyiv Boryspil Airport: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Varna City: $22
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Saints Constantine and Helena: $25
- Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Varna (VAR) Airport: $35
- Private One-way Transfer Varna Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $53
- Private Transfer from Balchik to Varna (VAR) Airport: $58
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Balchik: $58
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Byala: $63
- Private Transfer from Albena to Varna (VAR) Airport : $65
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Albena: $65
- Private Transfer from Varna Airport (VAR) to Burgas Cruise Port: $65
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Obzor: $71
- Private Transfer from Sunny Beach to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Kiev or Varna?
Prices for flights to both Varna and Kiev 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 dayKiev $7.23Varna $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kiev
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kiev.
- "Kiev Private Food Tour" - Taste the best Ukraine has to offer: $53
- Ukrainian cooking master class − the tastiest master class in Kyiv: $103
- Kyiv Restaurant Food Tour: Ukrainian Cuisine Tasting: $112
- Private Gastro/Food Tour In Kyiv : $144
- Cooking master class: $226
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kiev $2.03Varna $8.55
Tours and Activities in Kiev
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kiev are as follows:
- Memories of a Revolution: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Kyiv: $6.22
- Custom Kyiv Walking Tour with Private Local Guide: $28
- 2 Hours Kyiv Street Art Tour : $32
- Underground Tunnels Exploration Tour: $34
- Kiev guided walking tour: discover highlights and hidden gems of the capital: $34
- Private Ukrainian Street Art Tour in Kiev: $35
- Sightseeing City Tour: $35
- Kyiv Podil District Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $38
- Kyiv Old Town Private Walking Tour: $38
- Panoramic Kyiv by Night Driving Tour with Private Guide: $38
- Kiev Open Tour - History & Modern Life in 3 hours: $42
- Kyiv Street Art Tour: $44
Tours and Activities in Varna
Here are a few actual costs in Varna for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-guided tour in Varna Archaeological Museum + ticket: $11
- Archaeological Museum Ticket & E-Guide: $13
- Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
- Pokémon GO Varna Private Tour: $19
- Action Aqua Park Entrance Ticket: $25
- Half Day Private Bicycle Tour in Varna: $29
- Private Virtual Tour in Varna with a Local Guide : $32
- Nessebar: Guided City Tour: $49
- Bulgaria Day Bike & E-bike Tours - country & sea: $63
- The OFFroad Adventure : $64
- The Ultimate Private Communist Tour of Varna: $64
- Half-Day Tsarev Brod Winery and Walking Tour: $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKiev $6.37Varna $8.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Kiev
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kiev:
- Kiev Bar Crawl - Private Nightlife Tour: $49
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 Kiev and Varna, we can see that Varna is more expensive. And not only is Kiev much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kiev would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kiev 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 Varna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varna than you might in Kiev.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kiev Expensive? and Is Varna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kiev or Varna?
Kiev has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Kiev 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 Kiev or Varna?
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 Kiev or Varna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiev and Varna.
Kiev is around the same temperature as Varna in the summer. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Varna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In July, Kiev usually receives more rain than Varna. Kiev gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Varna receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKiev 21°C (70°F)Varna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Varna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kiev as well as Varna.
In the autumn, Kiev is cooler than Varna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kiev in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Varna averages at about 14°C (57°F).
Kiev usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Varna. Kiev gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Varna receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKiev 10°C (49°F)Varna 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Varna in the Winter?
Both Varna and Kiev are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
The weather in Varna can be very cold. Kiev can be very cold during winter. In January, Kiev is generally much colder than Varna. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around -4°C (24°F), and Varna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In January, Kiev usually receives more rain than Varna. Kiev gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Varna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKiev -4°C (24°F)Varna 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Varna in the Spring?
Both Varna and Kiev during the spring are popular places to visit.
Kiev is around the same temperature as Varna in the spring. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Varna fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Kiev usually gets more rain in April than Varna. Kiev gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Varna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKiev 10°C (51°F)Varna 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Varna and Kiev
| Kiev | Varna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (24°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -3°C (27°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 2°C (36°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (51°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 3°C (38°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (30°F) | 52 mm (2 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.