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

Should you visit Varna or Bad Gastein?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Varna and Bad Gastein can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Varna or Bad Gastein?

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.

Bad Gastein

Located in the High Tauern Mountains south of Salzburg, Bad Gastein is a spa and ski town known for hotels and villas built into steep and forested slopes. While the town is most visited in the winter for skiing purposes, it is also a home base for many hiking opportunities throughout the summer.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.


Which place is cheaper, Bad Gastein or Varna?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $65, while the average daily cost in Bad Gastein is $130. 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 Varna and Bad Gastein in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varna $35
    Bad Gastein $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varna $70
    Bad Gastein $132
Compare Hotels in Varna and Bad Gastein

Looking for a hotel in Varna or Bad Gastein? 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 Varna


Hotels in Bad Gastein


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 and Bad Gastein Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varna $9.33
    Bad Gastein $43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:

  • Bucharest to Varna - Private Transfer: $451
  • Private One-way Transfer Varna Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $53
  • Private Transfer from Albena to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $155
  • Private Transfer from Albena to Varna (VAR) Airport : $65
  • Private Transfer from Balchik to Varna (VAR) Airport: $58
  • Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $131
  • Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Sofia (SOF) Airport : $300
  • Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Varna (VAR) Airport: $35
  • Private Transfer from Kavarna to Varna (VAR) Airport: $82
  • Private Transfer from Saints Constantine and Helena to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $123
  • Private Transfer from Sunny Beach to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $72
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Albena: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Bad Gastein?

Prices for flights to both Bad Gastein and Varna 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
    Varna $23
    Bad Gastein $37

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varna $8.55
    Bad Gastein $23

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varna $8.52
    Bad Gastein $8.42

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 Varna and Bad Gastein, we can see that Bad Gastein 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 Bad Gastein would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bad Gastein 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 Varna Expensive? and Is Bad Gastein Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Varna or Bad Gastein?

Varna has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Bad Gastein. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Bad Gastein, 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.