Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Varna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varna or Karlovy Vary?
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 Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary?
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.
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarna $65Karlovy Vary $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $65, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is $81. 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 Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarna $35Karlovy Vary $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarna $70Karlovy Vary $78
Compare Hotels in Varna and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Varna or Karlovy Vary? 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 Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varna $9.33Karlovy Vary $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:
- Varna to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $642
- Bucharest to Varna - Private Transfer: $449
- Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Sofia (SOF) Airport : $299
- Private Transfer from Sunny Beach to Sofia (SOF) Airport : $290
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sofia: $271
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sunny Beach: $217
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Lozenets: $164
- Private Transfer from Albena to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $154
- Varna Airport - Nessebar | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $131
- Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $130
- Private Transfer from Varna to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $127
- Private Transfer from Saints Constantine and Helena to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $123
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $65
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $119
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary 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 $23Karlovy Vary $26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varna $8.55Karlovy Vary $12
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: $23
- Audio Guide for All Sunny Beach Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
- Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
- Birdwatching and cultural heritage tour from Varna: $205
- Bulgaria Day Bike & E-bike Tours - country & sea: $63
- E-Motorcycle Tour in Old Rock Monastery and Old Roman Fortress : $114
- From Hiking and Climbing Day Tour: $73
- From Rock Sanctuaries Hiking Tour: $73
- Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna: $155
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna: $205
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the South of Varna: $205
- Full-Day Small-Group Tour of Bulgaria by Minivan with Lunch: $87
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $62
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $90
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $167
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $167
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $208
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $222
- Private Walking Tour: $226
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $252
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $294
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $351
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarna $8.52Karlovy Vary $6.54
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varna and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varna or Karlovy Vary?
Varna has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?
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 Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
Both Karlovy Vary and Varna during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Varna is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Varna in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).
In Karlovy Vary, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Varna. In the summer, Varna often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVarna 23°C (73°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Varna or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Karlovy Vary.
In October, Varna is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 14°C (57°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Varna usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Varna usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVarna 14°C (57°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Varna or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Varna as well as Karlovy Vary.
It's quite cold in Karlovy Vary in the winter. The weather in Varna can be very cold. Varna is much warmer than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Varna often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Karlovy Vary. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVarna 3°C (37°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Varna or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
Both Karlovy Vary and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Varna is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Varna in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Varna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during spring. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Varna usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVarna 11°C (52°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Varna
| Varna | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.