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

Should you visit Varna or Lyon?

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 Lyon 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 Lyon?

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.

Lyon

Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, Lyon or Varna?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $65, while the average daily cost in Lyon is $134. 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 Lyon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varna $35
    Lyon $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varna $70
    Lyon $114
Compare Hotels in Varna and Lyon

Looking for a hotel in Varna or Lyon? 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 Lyon


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 Lyon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varna $9.33
    Lyon $18

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon

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


  • Funiculaire
    $5.57
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus
    $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:

  • Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Business Car: $78
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Luxury Van: $92
  • Arrival Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Business Car: $86
  • Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Business Car: $79
  • Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van: $93
  • Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car: $86
  • Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $94
  • Excellecar Private Driver - Stations & Airports Transfers: $82
  • Group transfer from Lyon airport to City Center: $118
  • Lyon Airport (LYS) to Val d'Isere/Espace Killy: Arrival Transfer: $76
  • Lyon City Card with Airport Transfer: $52
  • Lyon Exupery Airport to Les Deux La Clusaz Round Trip Transfer: $142

Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Lyon?

Prices for flights to both Lyon 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 $23
    Lyon $44

Typical Food Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:


  • Pastry
    $1.82

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.

  • Street Food Tour: $64
  • Croix-Rousse District Vegan Food Tour with Tastings: $64
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $66
  • Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $76
  • Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise: $80
  • Cultural Walking Food Tour in the Vieux Lyon District: $86
  • Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $93
  • Old Town Food Tour: $96
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine: $102
  • Guided Evening Food Tour: $102
  • Lyon Evening Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Food Tour in Lyon - Do Eat Better Experience: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varna $8.55
    Lyon $22

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    $48

Tours and Activities in Lyon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
  • Hop-On Hop-Off City Cruise: $5.35
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Lyon Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.42
  • Lyon Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • Private Self-Guided Tour of the Curse Quest of Old Lyon: $8.72
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour of the archaeological site of Lyon: $8.72
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour to Traboules de Croix-Rousse: $8.72
  • Lyon Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • French Resistance Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $9.61
  • Old Lyon Walking In App Audio Tour: $9.77

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varna $8.52
    Lyon $25

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:


  • Drinks for 2
    $7.29
  • Bottle of Wine
    $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon

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

  • Lyon : Music & Wine tasting tour: $96
  • Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais : $98
  • Guided tour of Beaujolais by electric bike and wine tasting: $98
  • Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $104
  • Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon: $106
  • Beaujolais: Half-Day Wine Tour: $106
  • From Wine tasting and visits of the Beaujolais: $106
  • Half-Day Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour: $106
  • From Beaujolais Region Wine Tour with Tastings: $106
  • Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $108
  • Beaujolais 100% wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon: $108
  • Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley: $108


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


Which is Bigger, Varna or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Lyon, 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 Lyon?

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 Lyon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Lyon. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Varna is generally around the same temperature as Lyon. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 23°C (73°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In Varna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Varna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lyon during summer. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Varna usually receives less rain than Lyon. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Varna 23°C (73°F) 
    Lyon 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Varna or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Varna as well as Lyon. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

Varna is around the same temperature as Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Varna often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Varna usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Varna 14°C (57°F) 
    Lyon 14°C (56°F)

Should I visit Varna or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. It's quite cold in Varna in the winter. In the winter, Varna is cooler than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Varna in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Varna usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during winter. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Varna usually receives less rain than Lyon. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Varna 3°C (37°F) 
    Lyon 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Varna or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Varna during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Varna often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Varna usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Typical Weather for Lyon and Varna

Varna Lyon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Sep 19°C (66°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 14°C (57°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 9°C (48°F) 50 mm (2 in) 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)