A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Moscow vs. Varna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Moscow or Varna?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Moscow 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, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Moscow or Varna?

Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.

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 Moscow?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $66, while the average daily cost in Varna is $53. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Moscow and Varna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Moscow $41
    Varna $29
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Moscow $82
    Varna $58
Compare Hotels in Moscow and Varna

Looking for a hotel in Moscow 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.

Hotels in Moscow


Hotels in Varna


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: Moscow Hotel Prices and Varna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Moscow $6.40
    Varna $7.63
Typical Local Transportation prices in Moscow

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:


  • Two Metro Passes
    $1.91

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow

Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Moscow Domodedovo DME to Moscow City by Luxury Car: $124
  • Arrival Private Transfer Moscow Domodedovo DME to Moscow by Luxury Van: $53
  • Arrival Private Transfer Moscow Train Station to Moscow City by Luxury Van: $87
  • Arrival Private Transfer Moscow Vnukovo Airport VKO to Moscow City by Luxury Van: $54
  • Arrival Private Transfer Moscow Vnukovo VKO Airport to Moscow by Luxury Car: $109
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Domodedovo DME by Luxury Car: $123
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Domodedovo DME by Luxury Van: $59
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow SVO Airport by Luxury Van: $54
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Train Station by Business Car: $38
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Train Station by Luxury Car: $87
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Train Station by Luxury Van: $87
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow SVO Airport to Moscow City by Luxury Car: $110

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:

  • Varna Airport/City to Sofia Airport/City Transfer: $152
  • Varna Airport - Sunny Beach | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $112
  • Varna Airport - Ravda | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $112
  • Varna Airport - Nessebar | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $112
  • Varna Airport - Aheloy | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $118
  • VARNA One-Way Private Airport Transfer: $27
  • Private Transfer to Bucharest from Varna (Bulgaria): $261
  • Private Transfer from Varna to Sofia: Hotel-to-hotel, English-speaking driver: $168
  • Private Transfer from Varna to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $342
  • Private Transfer from Varna to Nessebar, Hotel-to-hotel, English-speaking driver: $61
  • Private Transfer from Varna to Golden Sands: $45
  • Private Transfer from Varna to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $146

Is it cheaper to fly into Moscow or Varna?

Prices for flights to both Varna and Moscow 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Moscow $15
    Varna $19
Typical Food prices in Moscow

For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $7.78
  • Lunch in the Center Market
    $4.24
  • Breakfast for 2
    $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moscow

For Moscow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Virtual Home Cooking with Russian Family: $22
  • Moscow Food Tour: $67
  • An evening at the monastery with dinner: $80
  • An Evening at the Monastery with Dinner: $85
  • Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in Moscow with a Friendly Local: $91
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Russian Cooking Class in Moscow: $101
  • Food Tour: $102
  • Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in a Local Home in Moscow: $117
  • Traditional French-Russian Dinner in a Local's Home: $118
  • Moscow Metro and Russian Dinner Private tour: $127
  • Moscow River Cruise with Dinner and Lively Firework with a Private Guide: $133
  • Private food tour: Russian culinary culture: $144

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Moscow $17
    Varna $6.99
Typical Entertainment prices in Moscow

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Theater Tickets
    $16
  • Kremlin Entry (2)
    $14

Tours and Activities in Moscow

For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Moscow classical tour: $6.38
  • Admission ticket to Kolomenskoye Historical and Architectural Museum and Reserve: $7.02
  • Tsaritsyno Museum entrance ticket: $8.14
  • Admission ticket to the The Museum of Cosmonautics: $11
  • The Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center Admission Ticket: $12
  • Admission ticket to the State Museum of GULAG's History, Moscow: $13
  • The Museum of Victory Admission Ticket: $13
  • Guided Metro Tour by Night: $14
  • Admission ticket to the Tochka-G Museum of Erotic Art, Moscow: $14
  • Admission ticket to Gallery of the European and American XIX-XX centuries art: $14
  • Tretyakov Gallery Admission Ticket: $16
  • Admission ticket to the New Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow: $17

Tours and Activities in Varna

Here are a few actual costs in Varna for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $17
  • Bulgaria Day Bike Tours - countryside & seaside: $82
  • Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna: $223
  • Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the South of Varna: $235
  • Pokémon GO Varna Private Tour: $19
  • Private Virtual Tour in Varna with a Local Guide: $24
  • Self-guided Retro Museum Varna Tour: $8.96
  • Self-guided tour in Varna Archaeological Museum + ticket: $9.70
  • The Ultimate Private Communist Tour of Varna: $61
  • Unique Boat Trip Experience from Varna: $86
  • Varna - Aladza Monastery - Balchik - Kaliakra Cape Tour: $187
  • Varna Private Half-Day Walking Tour: $227

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Moscow $8.22
    Varna $6.96

Sample the Local Flavors in Moscow

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Moscow:

  • Pub Crawl by Soviet Van: $76
  • Pub Crawl Moscow Guided Tour in Classic Soviet Van: $79
  • Private Wine Tour in Moscow with History, Architecture and Friendly Local Guide: $121

Sample the Local Flavors in Varna

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Varna:

  • Vineyards tour & wine tasting near Varna: $5.31
  • Varna Exquisite Wine Tasting: $40
  • Private Exploration: French Influence in Varna + Walking + Wine tasting tour: $49
  • The Ultimate Private Varna Walking, Culture & Wine Tasting Tour: $61
  • Private Varna Gourmet Tour with Superb Wine Tasting: $61

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moscow and Varna, we can see that Moscow 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 Moscow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moscow than you might in Varna.


When is the best time to visit Moscow 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 Moscow or Varna in the Summer?

Both Varna and Moscow during the summer are popular places to visit.

In July, Moscow is generally cooler than Varna. Temperatures in Moscow average around 19°C (67°F), and Varna stays around 23°C (73°F).

Moscow usually gets more rain in July than Varna. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Varna receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Moscow 19°C (67°F) 
    Varna 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Moscow or Varna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and Varna.

Moscow is much colder than Varna in the autumn. The temperature in Moscow is usually 6°C (43°F) in October, and Varna stays around 14°C (57°F).

In October, Moscow usually receives more rain than Varna. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Varna receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Moscow 6°C (43°F) 
    Varna 14°C (57°F)

Should I visit Moscow or Varna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Moscow as well as Varna.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Varna. It's quite cold in Moscow in the winter. In the winter, Moscow is much colder than Varna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Moscow in January are around -8°C (17°F), and Varna is about 3°C (37°F).

Moscow usually gets more rain in January than Varna. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Varna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Moscow -8°C (17°F) 
    Varna 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Moscow or Varna in the Spring?

Both Varna and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Moscow is generally much colder than Varna. Temperatures in Moscow average around 7°C (45°F), and Varna stays around 11°C (52°F).

In April, Moscow usually receives less rain than Varna. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Varna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Moscow 7°C (45°F) 
    Varna 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Varna and Moscow

Moscow Varna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (17°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -1°C (30°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 6°C (43°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 76 mm (3 in) 21°C (70°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Nov -0°C (32°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec -5°C (23°F) 52 mm (2 in) 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)


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Moscow vs. Varna Travel Comparison

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