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

Should you visit Varna or Budapest?

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 Budapest 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 Budapest?

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.

Budapest

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It has been called the "Paris of the East" because of its impressive architecture and general beauty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 because of its cultural importance, its location on the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue. In addition to its rich history, Budapest still has a young vibe with a lot of energy. There's an active night life, an impressive music scene, and a good reputation with European youth.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Budapest 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 Budapest is $90. 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 Budapest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varna $35
    Budapest $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varna $70
    Budapest $98
Compare Hotels in Varna and Budapest

Looking for a hotel in Varna or Budapest? 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 Budapest


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 Budapest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varna $9.46
    Budapest $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:

  • Varna to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $652
  • Bucharest to Varna - Private Transfer: $457
  • Private Transfer from Sunny Beach to Sofia (SOF) Airport : $294
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sofia: $275
  • Private Transfer from Sunny Beach to Varna (VAR) Airport: $227
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sunny Beach: $220
  • Private Transfer from Albena to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $157
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sozopol: $156
  • Varna Airport - Ravda | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $138
  • Varna Airport - Nessebar | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $133
  • Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $132
  • Private Transfer from Varna to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $129

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $6.93
  • Metro Pass
    $3.81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest

Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bucharest - Romania to Budapest - Hungary /Private Transfer: $1,196
  • Budapest - Bük Transfer: $154
  • Budapest - Debrecen Transfer: $170
  • Budapest - Hungary to Bucharest - Romania /Private Transfer: $1,304
  • Budapest - Pécs Transfer: $151
  • Budapest - Vienna Private Car Transfer: $236
  • Budapest - Vienna Transfer: $232
  • Budapest - Vienna Transfer with Bratislava stop: $260
  • Budapest Airport - Budapest City Transfer: $35
  • Budapest Airport BUD Arrival Private Transfer to Budapest City: $91
  • Budapest Airport Private Departure Transfer : City to Airport: $16
  • Budapest Airport Private Transfer - Minibus for 8 people: $62

Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Budapest?

Prices for flights to both Budapest 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
    Budapest $23

Typical Food Prices in Budapest

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:


  • Lunch
    $3.38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $35
  • Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $35
  • Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $51
  • Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $53
  • Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $74
  • Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $75
  • Dinner & Cruise on the Danube with Folklore Dance Show & Live Music: $76
  • Dinner Cruise with Operetta and Folk Show: $86
  • 3 course Dinner Cruise with Operetta and Folk Show: $87
  • 3 course Dinner Cruise with Piano Battle Show: $87
  • Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $88

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varna $8.67
    Budapest $22

Tours and Activities in Varna

Here are a few actual costs in Varna for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Action Aqua Park Entrance Ticket: $24
  • Audio Guide for All Dobrich & Kavarna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $21
  • Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
  • Bulgaria Day Bike & E-bike Tours - country & sea: $64
  • E-Motorcycle Tour in Old Rock Monastery and Old Roman Fortress : $116
  • Experience Varna Gold Treasure Hunt - 2 or 4 Hour Options: $28
  • From Hiking and Climbing Day Tour: $75
  • From Rock Sanctuaries Hiking Tour: $75
  • Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna: $158
  • Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna: $208
  • Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the South of Varna: $208
  • Full-Day Small-Group Tour of Bulgaria by Minivan with Lunch: $88

Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance to the Baths for Two
    $6.80

Tours and Activities in Budapest

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.

  • Historic Budapest Tour: $1.80
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.30
  • Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.31
  • Original Budapest Walking Tour: $3.31
  • Budapest Historical Sightseeing - Walking Tour: $3.31
  • Escape Game and Tour: $5.97
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.97
  • Discovering Budapest's hot pools and heroes: a self-guided audio tour: $5.99
  • Historical Heroes & Hot Spa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • TOP 10 Budapest- City Tour : $6.00
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.46

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varna $8.64
    Budapest $18

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest

Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $22
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
  • Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
  • Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $40
  • Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
  • Private Wine Tasting in Budapest: $50
  • Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50
  • Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest with T-shirt Included: $54
  • All You Can Drink Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest: $60
  • Wine Tasting Walk in Jewish Quarter Bars: $60


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


Which is Bigger, Varna or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Budapest, 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 Budapest?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Varna or Budapest in the Summer?

Both Budapest and Varna during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Varna is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 23°C (73°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Budapest, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Varna. In the summer, Varna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.

Varna usually gets less rain in July than Budapest. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Varna 23°C (73°F) 
    Budapest 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Varna or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Budapest. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Varna is a little warmer than Budapest in the autumn. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Varna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during autumn. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Varna usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapest. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Varna 14°C (57°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Varna or Budapest in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Varna as well as Budapest. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

It's quite cold in Budapest in the winter. The weather in Varna can be very cold. In the winter, Varna is much warmer than Budapest. Typically, the winter temperatures in Varna in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Budapest averages at about -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Varna often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.

Varna usually gets less rain in January than Budapest. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Varna 3°C (37°F) 
    Budapest -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Varna or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Varna is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 11°C (52°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Varna usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during spring. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Varna usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapest. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Varna 11°C (52°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Budapest and Varna

Varna Budapest
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 19°C (66°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 14°C (57°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 9°C (48°F) 50 mm (2 in) 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)