Which place is cheaper, Kiel or Varna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varna or Kiel?
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 Kiel 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 Kiel?
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.
Kiel
Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.
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 Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarna $65Kiel $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $65, while the average daily cost in Kiel is $148. 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 Kiel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarna $35Kiel $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarna $70Kiel $144
Compare Hotels in Varna and Kiel
Looking for a hotel in Varna or Kiel? 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 Kiel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varna $9.33Kiel $58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:
- Bucharest to Varna - Private Transfer: $451
- Private One-way Transfer Varna Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $53
- Private Transfer from Albena to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $155
- Private Transfer from Albena to Varna (VAR) Airport : $65
- Private Transfer from Balchik to Varna (VAR) Airport: $58
- Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $131
- Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Sofia (SOF) Airport : $300
- Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Varna (VAR) Airport: $35
- Private Transfer from Kavarna to Varna (VAR) Airport: $82
- Private Transfer from Saints Constantine and Helena to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $123
- Private Transfer from Sunny Beach to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $72
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Albena: $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Kiel?
Prices for flights to both Kiel 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 $23Kiel $41
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varna $8.55Kiel $20
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 Kiel
Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Lübeck Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Laboe Naval Memorial: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Lindau Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
- SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand Admission Ticket: $16
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
- City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
- Lübeck stories - an exciting scavenger hunt tour: $34
- Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
- Private Walking Tour of Kiel: $97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarna $8.52Kiel $13
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 Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 Kiel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kiel 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 Kiel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varna or Kiel?
Varna has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Kiel, 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 Kiel?
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 Kiel in the Summer?
Both Kiel and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Varna is generally a little warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 23°C (73°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Kiel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Varna. Varna usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during summer. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Varna usually receives less rain than Kiel. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVarna 23°C (73°F)Kiel 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Varna or Kiel in the Autumn?
Both Kiel and Varna during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Varna is a little warmer than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the autumn, Varna often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in October than Kiel. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVarna 14°C (57°F)Kiel 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Varna or Kiel in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Kiel. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kiel because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Kiel can be very cold. Varna can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Varna is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Varna in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).
Varna usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Varna usually receives less rain than Kiel. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVarna 3°C (37°F)Kiel 0°C (33°F)
Should I visit Varna or Kiel in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Varna as well as Kiel. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.
In April, Varna is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 11°C (52°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In the spring, Varna often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in April than Kiel. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVarna 11°C (52°F)Kiel 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Kiel and Varna
| Varna | Kiel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 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.