Should you visit Sochi or Varna?
Should I visit Sochi or Varna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Sochi
Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.
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 Sochi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi is $63, while the average daily cost in Varna is $52. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Sochi and Varna in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $15. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Sochi the cost is $30 on average.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Varna is $56. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $7.41 per day to get around in Varna.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sochi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sochi:
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Airport transfer:
$66
-
Departure Private Transfer from Sochi City to Sochi Airport AER by Business Car:
$52
-
Departure Private Transfer from Sochi City to Sochi Airport AER by Minivan:
$52
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Sochi to Sochi International Airport (AER):
$23
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Sochi International Airport AER to Sochi City Center:
$28
-
Private Sochi International Airport AER - Sochi City Round-Trip Transfer:
$55
-
Sochi International Airport Private Transfer:
$123
-
Sochi, Russia Private & Secure Airport Transfers to/from AER Airport & Sochi:
$132
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:
-
Private Arrival Transfer: Varna Airport to Sunny Beach:
$57
-
Private Minibus Transfer from Varna to Golden Sands:
$50
-
Private One-way Transfer Varna Airport to Hotel or vice versa:
$42
-
Private Round-Trip Transfer: Varna Airport to Sunny Beach:
$114
-
Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Burgas (BOJ) Airport:
$149
-
Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Sofia (SOF) Airport:
$342
-
Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Varna (VAR) Airport:
$40
-
Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Albena:
$47
-
Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Balchik:
$66
-
Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Bucharest:
$373
-
Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Burgas:
$128
-
Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Byala:
$72
Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Varna?
Prices for flights to both Varna and Sochi 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
The average traveler spends about $18 per day in Sochi for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Varna food costs typically run travelers around $19 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Sochi $18
Varna $19
Entertainment
Sochi's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $117 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $6.79 per person, per day in Varna. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Sochi
Here are a few actual costs in Sochi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Private Tour: Discover Sochi on a Private Stroll:
$93
-
Sochi Private Tour with driver (ENG):
$160
-
Olympic Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana Private Tour:
$177
-
Discover the Highlights of Sochi and its Best Bird's-eye View on Private Tour:
$193
-
Agura Canyon and Waterfalls Private Trekking Tour from Sochi:
$225
-
3–Hour City Tour:
$255
-
Sochi City Tour:
$281
-
Highlights of Sochi Private Tour: Dacha of J.Stalin and Mount Akhun Views:
$330
-
Nightlife in Sochi - Private tour. Meet a Sunset at the Akhun Mountain:
$330
-
Discover the secrets of Sochi on the shore Excursion Private Tour:
$330
-
Walking Tour in the Heart of Sochi:
$382
-
Discover Olympic Sochi and Enjoy Scenic Mountainous Views on Private Tour:
$406
Tours and Activities in Varna
Here are a few actual costs in Varna for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Self-guided Retro Museum Varna Tour:
$8.96
-
Self-guided tour in Varna Archaeological Museum + ticket:
$9.70
-
Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences:
$17
-
Pokémon GO Varna Private Tour:
$19
-
Private Virtual Tour in Varna with a Local Guide:
$24
-
The Ultimate Private Communist Tour of Varna:
$61
-
3-Hour Black Sea Cruise With Lunch and Drinks:
$66
-
Kamchia River Kayaking Day Tour:
$73
-
Bulgaria Day Bike Tours - countryside & seaside:
$82
-
Unique Boat Trip Experience from Varna:
$86
-
Varna - Aladza Monastery - Balchik - Kaliakra Cape Tour:
$187
-
Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna:
$223
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Varna may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $6.76 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sochi and Varna, we can see that Sochi 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 Sochi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sochi than you might in Varna.
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