Which place is cheaper, Cork or Varna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varna or Cork?
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 Cork 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 Cork?
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.
Cork
Located on the banks of the River Lee, Cork has a small, but pleasant downtown that is easy to walk around. The city was built up on marshland, and many of the streets today, including St Patrick's Street, the South Mall and the Grand Parade, are actually built over what was once river channels. Today there are more than thirty bridges that cross over the channelized River Lee. As an orientation, it's nice to take a historic walking tour of the downtown area. Then you can explore the area in more detail by yourself. There are cathedrals, museums, and galleries around town so you can keep yourself quite entertained. If the weather is nice, head out to Lough park, which has a small freshwater limestone lake and some interesting water fowl to see. It's a great place to people watch and see daily life in the city of Cork.
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 Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarna $65Cork $108
The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $65, while the average daily cost in Cork is $108. 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 Cork in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarna $35Cork $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarna $70Cork $128
Compare Hotels in Varna and Cork
Looking for a hotel in Varna or Cork? 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 Cork Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varna $9.33Cork $17
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 Balchik to Varna (VAR) Airport: $58
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Balchik: $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
Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Cork?
Prices for flights to both Cork 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 $23Cork $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cork
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cork.
- Hysterical Histories, Comedic Dinner Theater Show: $53
- Hysterical Histories Cork Dinner Theatre Show: $57
- Historic Cork Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varna $8.55Cork $9.95
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 Cork
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cork are as follows:
- Highlights of A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.99
- Cork Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Discover Cork's Legacy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens Admission Ticket: $13
- City Gaol Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket: $14
- Cork Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Guided Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Cork Instagram Photography Walking Tour: $22
- Tour guidé de Cork City centre en français: $24
- Cork City Hop On/Off Open Top Bus Tour: $24
- Hop On/Hop Off Cork City Sightseeing Tour : $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarna $8.52Cork $14
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Cork
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cork:
- Clonakilty Distillery Tour & Classic Whiskey Tasting: $22
- Cork City: Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
- Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
- Midleton Distillery Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $32
- Midleton Distillery Experience & Whiskey Tasting -Home of Jameson: $33
- Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery: $64
- Cork Irish Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery : $65
- Midleton Distillery Behind the Scenes Tour & Tasting: $80
- Blarney Castle Cork City and Jameson Distillery Semi Private Tour: $196
- Private Cork City Tour, Kinsale and Jameson Distillery: $254
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varna and Cork, we can see that Cork 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 Cork would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cork 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 Cork Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varna or Cork?
Varna has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Cork. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Cork, 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 Cork?
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 Cork in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Cork. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cork this time of year.
In the summer, Varna is a little warmer than Cork. Typically, the summer temperatures in Varna in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Cork averages at about 16°C (60°F).
In Varna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Varna usually receives more sunshine than Cork during summer. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Varna usually receives less rain than Cork. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVarna 23°C (73°F)Cork 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Varna or Cork in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Varna as well as Cork. Also, many travelers come to Cork for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Varna is generally a little warmer than Cork. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 14°C (57°F), and Cork fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the autumn, Varna often gets more sunshine than Cork. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in October than Cork. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVarna 14°C (57°F)Cork 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Varna or Cork in the Winter?
Both Cork and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Cork in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Varna. Varna is much colder than Cork in the winter. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Cork fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Varna usually receives more sunshine than Cork during winter. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cork. In January, Varna usually receives less rain than Cork. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVarna 3°C (37°F)Cork 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Varna or Cork in the Spring?
Both Cork and Varna during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cork for the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Varna is a little warmer than Cork. Typically, the spring temperatures in Varna in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Cork averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the spring, Varna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cork. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in April than Cork. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVarna 11°C (52°F)Cork 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Cork and Varna
| Varna | Cork | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 101 mm (4 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.