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

Should you visit Varna or Novi Sad?

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 Novi Sad 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 Novi Sad?

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.

Novi Sad

Novi Sad is the capital city of Vojvodina, the northern Autonomous Province of Serbia. Novi Sad has a population of about 400,000 people and is located on the Danube River near Budapest and Belgrade.

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 Serbia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade.


Which place is cheaper, Novi Sad 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 Novi Sad is $20. 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 Novi Sad in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varna $35
    Novi Sad $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varna $70
    Novi Sad $22
Compare Hotels in Varna and Novi Sad

Looking for a hotel in Varna or Novi Sad? 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 Novi Sad


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 Novi Sad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varna $9.33
    Novi Sad -

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 Saints Constantine and Helena to Varna (VAR) Airport: $25
  • 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: $57
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Balchik: $58
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Byala: $63
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Albena: $65
  • Private Transfer from Albena to Varna (VAR) Airport : $65
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Kavarna: $81
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sveti Vlas: $108

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Novi Sad

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novi Sad:

  • Airport transfer from/to Novi Sad: $106
  • Belgrade airport transfers: $30
  • Belgrade to Sarajevo via Novi Sad Private Transfer Tour: $285

Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Novi Sad?

Prices for flights to both Novi Sad 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
    Novi Sad $8.20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varna $8.55
    Novi Sad -

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
  • Self-Guided Tour in the Museum of Glass in Beloslav: $13
  • Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
  • Audio Guide for All Sunny Beach Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
  • Pokémon GO Varna Private Tour: $18
  • Action Aqua Park Entrance Ticket: $23
  • Private Virtual Tour in Varna with a Local Guide : $31
  • Tours in Historical Park near Varna + Tickets: $39
  • Nessebar: Guided City Tour: $48
  • Bulgaria Day Bike & E-bike Tours - country & sea: $63
  • Half-Day Tsarev Brod Winery and Walking Tour: $64

Tours and Activities in Novi Sad

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

  • The city center and fortress Private Walking Tour: $29
  • Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci shared tour: $64
  • Novi Sad city center and Petrovaradin fortress tour: $80
  • Fruska Gora and Novi Sad Heritage & Gastro Private Tour: $170
  • Novi Sad Private Walking Tour: $253
  • From Belgrade: Novi Sad and Fruska Gora National Park Tour: $319
  • City Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide: $510
  • Private Romantic Tour: $511
  • 2-Hour Christmas Walking Tour: $766

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varna $8.52
    Novi Sad -

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Novi Sad

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Novi Sad:

  • From Belgrade: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting: $80
  • From Belgrade or Private Wine Tour in Fruska Gora: $184


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varna and Novi Sad, we can see that Varna is more expensive. And not only is Novi Sad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Novi Sad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Novi Sad 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 Varna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varna than you might in Novi Sad.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varna Expensive? and Is Novi Sad Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Varna or Novi Sad?

Varna has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Novi Sad. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Novi Sad, 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 Novi Sad?

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 Novi Sad in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Novi Sad.

Varna is around the same temperature as Novi Sad in the summer. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Novi Sad fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Novi Sad 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 Novi Sad during summer. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Varna usually receives less rain than Novi Sad. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Varna or Novi Sad in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Varna as well as Novi Sad.

In the autumn, Varna is around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Varna in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Novi Sad averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Varna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Novi Sad. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 168 hours of full sun.

Varna usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Novi Sad. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Varna 14°C (57°F) 
    Novi Sad 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Varna or Novi Sad in the Winter?

Both Novi Sad and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Novi Sad can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Varna. In January, Varna is generally much warmer than Novi Sad. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 3°C (37°F), and Novi Sad fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Varna usually receives more sunshine than Novi Sad during winter. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 71 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Varna usually receives around the same amount of rain as Novi Sad. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Varna 3°C (37°F) 
    Novi Sad -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Varna or Novi Sad in the Spring?

Both Novi Sad and Varna during the spring are popular places to visit.

Varna is around the same temperature as Novi Sad in the spring. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Novi Sad fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Varna often gets less sunshine than Novi Sad. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 178 hours of full sun.

Varna usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Novi Sad. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Varna 11°C (52°F) 
    Novi Sad 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Novi Sad and Varna

Varna Novi Sad
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -0°C (31°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 2°C (36°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 83 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 19°C (66°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Oct 14°C (57°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 9°C (48°F) 50 mm (2 in) 7°C (44°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 2°C (35°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)