Which place is cheaper, Varna or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Varna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Varna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Varna?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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 dayRiga €104Varna €61
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, 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 Riga and Varna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Varna €33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Varna €66
Compare Hotels in Riga and Varna
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Varna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Varna €8.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minibus: $90
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $150
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $342
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $459
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $427
- From Transfer to Tallinn with Turaida Museum Reserve: $230
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $182
- Paintball Adventure: Expert Guide & Transfers Included!: $80
- Private Transfer From Riga Airport To Riga City Center: $38
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
- Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
- Private Transfer from Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $70
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 Riga or Varna?
Prices for flights to both Varna and Riga 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 dayRiga €33Varna €22
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $42
- Unique Food Tour: $52
- Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $96
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $138
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $139
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $152
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Varna €8.04
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.95
- Riga Old Town Legends Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.39
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $7.49
- Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.45
- Boat tour in Canal and Daugava: $9.62
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Riga Nightlife Ticket: $11
- Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour: $13
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
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 dayRiga €20Varna €8.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $25
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $37
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
- Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $96
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $523
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,320
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 Riga and Varna, we can see that Riga 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga 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 Riga Expensive? and Is Varna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Varna?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga 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 Riga or Varna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Varna. Many visitors come to Riga in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Riga is cooler than Varna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Varna averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Varna. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 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 JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Varna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Riga or Varna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Riga as well as Varna. Most visitors come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Riga is generally much colder than Varna. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Varna fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in October than Varna. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 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 OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Varna 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Riga or Varna in the Winter?
Both Varna and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Riga because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Varna in the winter. The weather in Riga can be very cold. Riga is much colder than Varna in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Varna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Varna. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 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 JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Varna 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Riga or Varna in the Spring?
Both Varna and Riga during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
In the spring, Riga is much colder than Varna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Varna averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in April than Varna. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 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 AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Varna 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Varna and Riga
| Riga | Varna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.