Which place is cheaper, Varna or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Varna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg 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: Saint Petersburg or Varna?
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.
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 daySaint Petersburg $63Varna $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, 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 Saint Petersburg and Varna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Varna $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Varna $70
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Varna
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg 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.Saint Petersburg $7.29Varna $9.33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
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Metro Passes$1.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:
- Varna to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $642
- Varna Airport - Sunny Beach | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $130
- Varna Airport - Ravda | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $136
- Varna Airport - Aheloy | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $130
- Private Transfer from Varna to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $298
- Private Transfer from Varna to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $127
- 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: $217
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sozopol: $154
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Pomorie: $117
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Kavarna: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Varna?
Prices for flights to both Varna and Saint Petersburg 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 daySaint Petersburg $18Varna $23
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.61
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Varna $8.55
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: $23
- Audio Guide for All Dobrich & Kavarna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $21
- Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
- Birds, nature and sightseeing tour around the Varna - Beloslav Lake: $205
- Birdwatching and cultural heritage tour from Varna: $205
- Bulgaria Day Bike & E-bike Tours - country & sea: $63
- E-Motorcycle Tour in Old Rock Monastery and Old Roman Fortress : $114
- Experience Varna Gold Treasure Hunt - 2 or 4 Hour Options: $27
- From Hiking and Climbing Day Tour: $74
- From Rock Sanctuaries Hiking Tour: $74
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna: $205
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the South of Varna: $205
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Varna $8.52
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: $103
- Varna Gourmet Tour including Wine Tasting: $127
When comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Varna, we can see that Varna is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Varna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Varna?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg or Varna in the Summer?
Both Varna and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Varna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°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 Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Varna. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varna receives 268 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Varna. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (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 JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Varna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Varna in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Varna.
In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Varna. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Varna fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Varna during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Varna receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Varna. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 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 OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Varna 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Varna in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Varna.
It's quite cold in Varna in the winter. The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Varna in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Varna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Varna. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varna receives 83 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Varna. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 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 JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Varna 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Varna in the Spring?
Both Varna and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Varna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Varna averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Varna during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Varna receives 156 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Varna. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 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 AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Varna 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Varna and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Varna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 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 | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 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.