Which place is cheaper, Plovdiv or Varna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varna or Plovdiv?
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 Plovdiv 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 Plovdiv?
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.
Plovdiv
Located in a large, hilly plain between the Rhodope Mountains in the south of Bulgaria and the Balkan Range in the central part of the country, Plovdiv sits uniquely spread across six hills. It is one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world, dating back roughly 8,000 years. Some of its best features are its ancient ruins and historic architecture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Bulgaria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarna $65Plovdiv $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $65, while the average daily cost in Plovdiv is $80. 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 Plovdiv in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarna $35Plovdiv $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarna $70Plovdiv $88
Compare Hotels in Varna and Plovdiv
Looking for a hotel in Varna or Plovdiv? 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 Plovdiv Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varna $9.33Plovdiv $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:
- Varna to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $642
- Varna Airport - Sunny Beach | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $130
- Varna Airport - Ravda | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $136
- Varna Airport - Aheloy | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $130
- Private Transfer from Varna to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $298
- Private Transfer from Varna to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $127
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Varna City: $22
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sveti Vlas: $109
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sunny Beach: $217
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sozopol: $154
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Pomorie: $117
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Kavarna: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plovdiv
Also for Plovdiv, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas: $262
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia / vice versa: $147
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Varna: $354
- Private One-way Transfer Plovdiv Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $42
- Private Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $160
- Sofia: Private Transfer from Sofia to Plovdiv OR vice versa: $147
- Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $98
- Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $98
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Bansko: $134
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $190
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $103
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Stara Zagora: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Plovdiv?
Prices for flights to both Plovdiv 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 $23Plovdiv $21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varna $8.55Plovdiv $15
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 Dobrich & Kavarna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $21
- Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
- Birds, nature and sightseeing tour around the Varna - Beloslav Lake: $205
- 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
- Experience Varna Gold Treasure Hunt - 2 or 4 Hour Options: $27
- From Hiking and Climbing Day Tour: $74
- From Rock Sanctuaries Hiking Tour: $74
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna: $205
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the South of Varna: $205
Tours and Activities in Plovdiv
For Plovdiv, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Plovdiv Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Pokémon GO Private Tour of Plovdiv: $17
- Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $20
- Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $20
- Plovdiv Private City Walking Tour Old Town & Ancient Stadium: $21
- Guided Walking Tour: $21
- Plovdiv guided walking tour: $22
- Local Adventures in the Rhodope Mountains: $32
- Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv: $38
- Plovdiv - Private walking tour: $41
- Walking tour of Plovdiv's top attractions: $54
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarna $8.52Plovdiv $9.57
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 Plovdiv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plovdiv:
- Chateau Copsa Wine Tasting Tours & Activities: $21
- Old Town Exploring Guide Roman Ruins & Wine Tasting: $80
- Thracian Valley wine tasting - private day tour from Plovdiv: $91
- Private Day Trip From Plovdiv To Wine Cellars And Wine Tasting: $108
- From Sofia: Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Tour With Wine Tasting: $133
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varna and Plovdiv, we can see that Plovdiv 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 Plovdiv would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Plovdiv 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 Plovdiv Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varna or Plovdiv?
Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Plovdiv, 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.
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.