Which place is cheaper, Bern or Varna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varna or Bern?
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 Bern 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 Bern?
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.
Bern
The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarna $65Bern $249
The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $65, while the average daily cost in Bern is $249. 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 Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarna $35Bern $161
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarna $70Bern $322
Compare Hotels in Varna and Bern
Looking for a hotel in Varna or Bern? 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 Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varna $9.33Bern $33
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 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 Varna (VAR) Airport to Balchik: $58
- Private Transfer from Balchik to Varna (VAR) Airport: $58
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Byala: $63
- Private Transfer from Albena to Varna (VAR) Airport : $65
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Albena: $65
- Private Transfer from Varna Airport (VAR) to Burgas Cruise Port: $65
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Obzor: $71
- Private Transfer from Sunny Beach to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $191
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $213
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $227
- Private Transfer from Bern to Zurich with 2h of Sightseeing: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Bern?
Prices for flights to both Bern 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 $23Bern $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.
- Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $57
- Bern Food Market: Brunch & Local Food Tour: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varna $8.55Bern $34
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
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.95
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.43
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.56
- Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $9.99
- Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- City Sightseeing Self-Guided Walking Tour Game: $15
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarna $8.52Bern $27
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 Bern, we can see that Bern 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern 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 Bern Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varna or Bern?
Varna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Bern, 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 Bern?
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 Bern in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Bern. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bern in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Varna is around the same temperature as Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Varna in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Bern averages at about 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern 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 Bern during summer. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Varna usually receives less rain than Bern. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVarna 23°C (73°F)Bern 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Varna or Bern in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Varna as well as Bern. Additionally, most visitors come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Varna is generally around the same temperature as Bern. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 14°C (57°F), and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the autumn, Varna often gets more sunshine than Bern. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in October than Bern. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVarna 14°C (57°F)Bern 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Varna or Bern in the Winter?
Both Bern and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Bern can be very cold. Varna can be very cold during winter. Varna is a little warmer than Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Varna usually receives more sunshine than Bern during winter. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Varna usually receives less rain than Bern. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVarna 3°C (37°F)Bern 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Varna or Bern in the Spring?
Both Bern and Varna during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year.
In the spring, Varna is around the same temperature as Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Varna in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Bern averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In the spring, Varna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bern. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in April than Bern. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bern 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)Bern 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Bern and Varna
| Varna | Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.