Which place is cheaper, Galway or Varna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varna or Galway?
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 Galway 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 Galway?
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.
Galway
Galway is Ireland's fifth largest city with a population of over 70,000. Located in the province of Connacht, it is typically the first stop for travelers headed into western Ireland. It serves as a gateway for this scenic part of the country, but it truly is a destination in and of itself. The city is pleasantly quaint, and is crisscrossed by lovely pedestrian only streets that are lined with shopping and restaurants. There are also countless museums and galleries to explore. Churches and cathedrals dot the town and are fun to drop by if you're fascinated with architecture.
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 Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarna $65Galway $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $65, while the average daily cost in Galway is $140. 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 Galway in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarna $35Galway $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarna $70Galway $150
Compare Hotels in Varna and Galway
Looking for a hotel in Varna or Galway? 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 Galway Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varna $9.33Galway $35
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galway
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Galway:
- From 1-Way Private Transfer to Cork City: $561
- From 1-Way Private Transfer to Dublin Airport: $668
- Galway Private Driver: Personalized Tours & Transfers: $749
- Galway Private Transfer from Galway Airport to City centre: $90
- Galway Private Transfer from central Galway to Galway Airport: $90
- Galway to Limerick | Private Transfer and Car Service: $294
- Galway to Shannon Airport | Private Transfer & Car Service: $294
- One-Way Private Transfer to Killarney: $668
- Shannon Airport to Seamless Private Transfers: $257
Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Galway?
Prices for flights to both Galway 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 $23Galway $35
Typical Food Prices in Galway
Some typical examples of dining costs in Galway are as follows:
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Fish & Chips Dinner$8.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Galway
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Galway.
- Tour & Taste Galway Food Tour: $93
- Galway Food Tour: $107
- Galway Food Tours: $109
- Private Irish Cooking Experience in the Heart of Gaeltacht: $136
- Farm to Table Experience and Irish Cooking Class in Galway: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varna $8.55Galway $13
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 Galway
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Galway are as follows:
- Cong The Quiet Man Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket: $8.17
- Old Town Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.45
- City Centre App-Based Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Galway's City Centre: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Welcome to Galway Walking Tour: $16
- Burren Botany Experience: $16
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
- The Legendary Walking Tour of Galway: $17
- City Sightseeing Galway Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
- Galway City: Guided 1.5-Hour Walking Tour: $21
- Dark History Guided City Walking Tour: $21
- Evening Guided Walking Tour: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarna $8.52Galway $16
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 Galway
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Galway:
- Traditional Irish Poitin & Gin Distillery Tour: $355
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varna and Galway, we can see that Galway 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 Galway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galway 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 Galway Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varna or Galway?
Varna has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Galway, 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 Galway?
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 Galway in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Galway. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Galway this time of year.
In the summer, Varna is a little warmer than Galway. Typically, the summer temperatures in Varna in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Galway averages at about 16°C (60°F).
In Varna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Varna usually receives more sunshine than Galway during summer. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Varna usually receives less rain than Galway. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVarna 23°C (73°F)Galway 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Varna or Galway in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Varna as well as Galway. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Varna is generally a little warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 14°C (57°F), and Galway fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the autumn, Varna often gets more sunshine than Galway. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Galway. Varna usually gets less rain in October than Galway. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVarna 14°C (57°F)Galway 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Varna or Galway in the Winter?
Both Galway and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Galway 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 Galway in the winter. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Varna usually receives more sunshine than Galway during winter. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In January, Varna usually receives less rain than Galway. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVarna 3°C (37°F)Galway 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Varna or Galway in the Spring?
Both Galway and Varna during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Galway for the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Varna is a little warmer than Galway. Typically, the spring temperatures in Varna in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Galway averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the spring, Varna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Galway. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in April than Galway. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVarna 11°C (52°F)Galway 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Galway and Varna
| Varna | Galway | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 125 mm (4.9 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.