Which place is cheaper, Belgrade or Varna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varna or Belgrade?
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 Belgrade 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 Belgrade?
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.
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital city of the Republic of Serbia. Dating back to the 4th Century BC, is has seen many changes from Celtic tribes at its earliest beginnings to Roman rule, the Ottoman Empire, and Serbian independence. Relics of its past can be seen today in Belgrade's architecture and museums, while there are also a host of contemporary activities like nightlife, clubs, cafes, and concerts.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Budget Tours to Serbia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarna $65Belgrade $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $65, while the average daily cost in Belgrade is $44. 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 Belgrade in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarna $35Belgrade $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarna $70Belgrade $60
Compare Hotels in Varna and Belgrade
Looking for a hotel in Varna or Belgrade? 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 and Belgrade Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varna $9.33Belgrade $5.55
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 Saints Constantine and Helena to Varna (VAR) Airport: $25
- 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: $57
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Balchik: $58
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Byala: $63
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Albena: $65
- Private Transfer from Albena to Varna (VAR) Airport : $65
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Kavarna: $81
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sveti Vlas: $108
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belgrade
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Belgrade:
- Airport Transfer in Belgrade, Serbia: $39
- BELGRADE TRANSIT TOUR - private layover tour with return airport transfer: $129
- Belgrade Layover tour with E Scooter and airport transfers: $213
- Belgrade N. Tesla Airport (BEG) to Belgrade - Round-Trip Transfer: $69
- Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG): Transfer to Belgrade: $144
- Belgrade Panorama - Private Arrival Transfer and City Tour Combined: $238
- Belgrade airport transfer: $46
- Belgrade and Avala Mountain Full Day Layover Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $88
- Belgrade to Timisoara transfer and walking city tour: $141
- Belgrade to Zlatibor private transfer by car: $249
- Bus transfer between Airport and Slavija Square: $3.63
- Nikola Tesla Airport Private Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Belgrade?
Prices for flights to both Belgrade 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
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Food Meals for one dayVarna $23Belgrade $9.21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belgrade
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Belgrade.
- E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $65
- Private Walking and Food Tour in Belgrade: $70
- E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varna $8.55Belgrade $4.48
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
- Self-Guided Tour in the Museum of Glass in Beloslav: $13
- Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
- Audio Guide for All Sunny Beach Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
- Pokémon GO Varna Private Tour: $18
- Action Aqua Park Entrance Ticket: $23
- Private Virtual Tour in Varna with a Local Guide : $31
- Tours in Historical Park near Varna + Tickets: $39
- Nessebar: Guided City Tour: $48
- Bulgaria Day Bike & E-bike Tours - country & sea: $63
- Half-Day Tsarev Brod Winery and Walking Tour: $64
Tours and Activities in Belgrade
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Belgrade are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.19
- Jack The Ripper Skip-the-Line Ticket in Belgrade: $3.25
- Belgrade City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.38
- Self-Guided City Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.38
- Belgrade Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.51
- Sightseeing by open top bus: $14
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
- Walking Tour in Belgrade: $16
- Underground Tour with Glass of Wine: $16
- Saint Sava Temple guided tour: $16
- Yugoslavia Communist tour: $16
- Belgrade late morning walking tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarna $8.52Belgrade $21
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Belgrade
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belgrade:
- Wines & Horses Wine Tasting surrounded by Horses: $48
- Natural wine tasting with great views: $49
- RePlay Pub Crawl in Belgrade: $52
- E-Scooter CRAFT BEER and BREWERY Tour: $53
- Tour of the MONASTERIES at Fruška Gora NP and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting: $54
- Belgrade Bar Crawl: $54
- Pearl of North Serbia, trip to Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting: $60
- Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci private tour with wine tasting: $75
- 3-Hour Walking Local Wine Tasting Tour: $80
- Northern Serbia: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting in a cellar : $81
- Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci Wine Tour From Belgrade: $92
- Belgrade Serbian Wine Tasting: $106
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varna and Belgrade, we can see that Varna is more expensive. And not only is Belgrade much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Belgrade would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belgrade 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 Varna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varna than you might in Belgrade.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varna Expensive? and Is Belgrade Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varna or Belgrade?
Belgrade has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Belgrade, 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 Belgrade?
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 Belgrade in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Belgrade.
Varna is around the same temperature as Belgrade in the summer. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Belgrade fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Belgrade this time of the year. In Varna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Varna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Belgrade during summer. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Belgrade receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Varna usually receives less rain than Belgrade. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Belgrade receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVarna 23°C (73°F)Belgrade 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Varna or Belgrade in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Varna as well as Belgrade.
In the autumn, Varna is around the same temperature as Belgrade. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Varna in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Belgrade averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In the autumn, Varna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Belgrade. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belgrade receives 168 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in October than Belgrade. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Belgrade receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVarna 14°C (57°F)Belgrade 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Varna or Belgrade in the Winter?
Both Belgrade and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Belgrade can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Varna. In January, Varna is generally much warmer than Belgrade. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 3°C (37°F), and Belgrade fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
Varna usually receives more sunshine than Belgrade during winter. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Belgrade receives 71 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Varna usually receives less rain than Belgrade. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Belgrade receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVarna 3°C (37°F)Belgrade 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Varna or Belgrade in the Spring?
Both Belgrade and Varna during the spring are popular places to visit.
Varna is cooler than Belgrade in the spring. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Belgrade fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
In the spring, Varna often gets less sunshine than Belgrade. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belgrade receives 178 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in April than Belgrade. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Belgrade receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVarna 11°C (52°F)Belgrade 14°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Belgrade and Varna
| Varna | Belgrade | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.