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

Should you visit Varna or Nice?

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 Nice 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 Nice?

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.

Nice

Nice, in the French Riviera, is one of the most popular destinations in France. It's located on the southeast coast along the Mediterranean Sea and is the second largest French city on the Mediterranean. It is an energetic city that attracts all types of vacationers from every age group and demographic. It's the 5th largest city in the country and is the capital of the Alpes Maritimes departement. The metropolitan area has a population of about 1 million.

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 in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Nice 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 Nice is $141. 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 Nice in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varna $35
    Nice $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varna $70
    Nice $126
Compare Hotels in Varna and Nice

Looking for a hotel in Varna or Nice? 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 Nice


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 Nice Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varna $9.33
    Nice $27

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 Nice

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nice:

  • Arrival Transfer from Côte d'Azur Airport NCE to Nice City in Private Car: $44
  • Arrival Transfer from Nice Airport NCE to Nice city by Sedan: $59
  • Arrival Transfer: Nice Airport NCE to Cannes in Luxury Van: $116
  • Arrival Transfer: Nice Airport NCE to Monaco in Business Car: $109
  • Cruise Port Hercule to Monaco hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
  • Day Trip / transfer to and from aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur: $92
  • Departure Transfer: Monaco to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car: $109
  • Departure Transfer: Monaco to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Van: $130
  • Departure Transfer: Villefranche Port to Nice Airport: $53
  • Ferry Transfer to Sainte Marguerite Island from Nice: $56
  • From Nice Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Monaco: $150
  • From Nice Airport: Private Transfer to Cannes: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Nice?

Prices for flights to both Nice 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
    Nice $53

Typical Food Prices in Nice

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


  • Slushee
    $2.68
  • Strawberries
    $4.29
  • Loaf of Bread
    $3.43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nice

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

  • Nice Small-Group Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties & Wine Tasting: $84
  • Viator Exclusive: Organic French Dinner in the Garden of Nice: $95
  • The Flavors of Nice Food Tour: $103
  • Old Nice Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Nice Evening Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Viator Exclusive: Local Cooking Class & Dinner with View of Nice: $107
  • 3.5-Hour Original Old Town Food Tour: $107
  • Private French Cooking Class with a Fun Local Noel: $112
  • PRIVATE Award-Winning Nice Food Tour: 6 or 10 Tastings: $112
  • Food Tour + Wine Pairing Lunch with a local Sommelier: $133
  • Half Day Afternoon Walking Food Tour with Dinner: $147
  • Dinner in the vineyard French Riviera: $192

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varna $8.55
    Nice $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 Nice

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

  • Vieux Nice : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.13
  • Nice : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.13
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Ticket to Musée National du Sport: $6.42
  • Nice Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Monaco Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.95
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
  • Nice's Old Town Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Navigating A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Nice city tour: audio guide app in your smartphone: $7.49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varna $8.52
    Nice $18

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 Nice

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

  • Nice Bar Crawl | Best Bars In 1 Night! VIP + FREE SHOTS: $5.99
  • Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entry and Free Shots: $16
  • Pub Crawl Nice with Drinking Games and Optional Drink special: $17
  • Nice : Guided Pub / Bar Crawl with Shots and Nightclub Entry: $21
  • Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $23
  • Nice Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $45
  • New Year's Eve Pub Crawl with Shots and VIP Club Entry: $52
  • New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl Nice France: $53
  • Provence Organic Wine Tasting Half Day Tour from Nice: $65
  • Wine Tasting: Tour de France in Nice City Centre: $74
  • Half-Day Saint Paul de Vence and Wine Tasting Tour: $82
  • Half-Day Wine Tasting and Saint Paul de Vence Tour from Nice: $84


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


Which is Bigger, Varna or Nice?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Nice, 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 Nice?

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 Nice in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Nice. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

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

In July, Varna usually receives more rain than Nice. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Varna 23°C (73°F) 
    Nice 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Varna or Nice in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Varna as well as Nice. Additionally, many travelers come to Nice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Varna is cooler than Nice in the autumn. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Nice. Varna usually gets less rain in October than Nice. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Varna 14°C (57°F) 
    Nice 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Varna or Nice in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Varna. In the winter, Varna is much colder than Nice. Typically, the winter temperatures in Varna in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Nice averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In January, Varna usually receives less rain than Nice. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Varna 3°C (37°F) 
    Nice 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Varna or Nice in the Spring?

Both Nice and Varna during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Varna is generally cooler than Nice. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 11°C (52°F), and Nice fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Varna usually gets less rain in April than Nice. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Varna 11°C (52°F) 
    Nice 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Nice and Varna

Varna Nice
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 13°C (56°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 16°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 19°C (66°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 14°C (57°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 9°C (48°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 10°C (49°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)