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

Should you visit Varna or Balaton Lake?

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 Balaton Lake 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 Balaton Lake?

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.

Balaton Lake

Balaton is a major freshwater lake in Hungary and the largest lake in Central Europe with a shoreline of 197 kilometers. The region around the lake is a popular holiday destination with a great number of resort towns and high-rise hotels to accommodate visitors seeking out lakeside activities, beaches, volcanic hills, and vineyards. Some of the towns are also very historic, offering examples from eighteenth-century art and architecture to castle ruins.

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


Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Varna?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $66, while the average daily cost in Balaton Lake is $86. 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 Balaton Lake in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varna $35
    Balaton Lake $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varna $70
    Balaton Lake $96
Compare Hotels in Varna and Balaton Lake

Looking for a hotel in Varna or Balaton Lake? 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 Balaton Lake


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varna $9.46
    Balaton Lake $12

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 Golden Sands to Varna (VAR) Airport: $35
  • Private One-way Transfer Varna Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $54
  • 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: $64
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Albena: $66
  • Private Transfer from Albena to Varna (VAR) Airport : $66
  • Private Transfer from Varna Airport (VAR) to Burgas Cruise Port: $66
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Obzor: $72
  • Private Transfer from Sunny Beach to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $73
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Kavarna: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Balaton Lake?

Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake 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 $24
    Balaton Lake $27

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varna $8.67
    Balaton Lake $20

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
  • Audio Guide for All Dobrich & Kavarna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $21
  • Action Aqua Park Entrance Ticket: $24
  • Experience Varna Gold Treasure Hunt - 2 or 4 Hour Options: $28
  • Nessebar: Guided City Tour: $49
  • Bulgaria Day Bike & E-bike Tours - country & sea: $64
  • Half-Day Tsarev Brod Winery and Walking Tour: $65
  • The Ultimate Private Communist Tour of Varna: $65
  • The OFFroad Adventure : $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varna $8.64
    Balaton Lake $8.76

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: $54
  • Varna Exquisite Wine Tasting: $65
  • Private Varna Gourmet Tour with Superb Wine Tasting: $65
  • The Ultimate Private Varna Walking, Culture & Wine Tasting Tour: $76
  • Varna Gourmet Tour including Wine Tasting: $129


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


Which is Bigger, Varna or Balaton Lake?

Varna has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Balaton Lake, 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 Varna or Balaton Lake?

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 Varna or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Balaton Lake.

Varna is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake in the summer. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Balaton Lake this time of the year. In Varna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Varna usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during summer. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Varna usually receives less rain than Balaton Lake. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Varna 23°C (73°F) 
    Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Varna or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Varna as well as Balaton Lake.

In the autumn, Varna is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Varna in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Varna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.

Varna usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Balaton Lake. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Varna 14°C (57°F) 
    Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Varna or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

Both Balaton Lake and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Balaton Lake in the winter. The weather in Varna can be very cold. In January, Varna is generally much warmer than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 3°C (37°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

Varna usually receives more sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Varna usually receives around the same amount of rain as Balaton Lake. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Varna 3°C (37°F) 
    Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Varna or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

Both Balaton Lake and Varna during the spring are popular places to visit.

Varna is cooler than Balaton Lake in the spring. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Varna often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.

Varna usually gets less rain in April than Balaton Lake. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Varna 11°C (52°F) 
    Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Varna

Varna Balaton Lake
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 0°C (32°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 22°C (71°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 19°C (66°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 14°C (57°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Nov 9°C (48°F) 50 mm (2 in) 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 2°C (36°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)