Which place is cheaper, Salzburg or Varna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Varna or Salzburg?
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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg?
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.
Salzburg
Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.
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 in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarna $65Salzburg $166
The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $65, while the average daily cost in Salzburg is $166. 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 Salzburg in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarna $35Salzburg $98
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarna $70Salzburg $196
Compare Hotels in Varna and Salzburg
Looking for a hotel in Varna or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varna $9.33Salzburg $21
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 Salzburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
- Airport Transfer: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg by Luxury Car: $103
- Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $91
- Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Luxury Van: $93
- Cesky Krumlov: Private One-Way Transfer to Salzburg: $629
- Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Business Car: $91
- Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Van: $93
- From Salzburg to Munich Airport- Private Transfer - punctual & friendly Driver: $213
- From Salzburg to Prague, Private Transfer with 2h of Sightseeing: $283
- Kitzbuhel, Flachau, Transfer From Salzburg & Airport SZG: $288
- Private Salzburg Airport luxury transfers to Salzburg city&Hotels: $65
- Private Scenic Transfer from Salzburg to Munich with 4h of Sightseeing: $278
- Private Transfer From Salzburg To Innsbruck, English Speaking Driver : $262
Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Salzburg?
Prices for flights to both Salzburg 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 dayVarna $23Salzburg $44
Typical Food Prices in Salzburg
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
-
Lunch Salad$9.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
- Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Class Including Lunch: $59
- Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $60
- Best of Mozart Fortress Concert and Dinner: $81
- Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $83
- Mozart Concert with Dinner: $83
- Dinner Cooking Class and Music: $84
- Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $85
- Dinner Cooking Class - Prezels, Dumplings, Apple Strudel & Music: $86
- Dinner and Classical Concert at Mirabell Palace: $94
- Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert: $106
- Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $111
- Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $133
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varna $8.55Salzburg $32
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 Salzburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Cathedral Entry Ticket with Audio Guide Option: $5.35
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- Salzburg Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Sound of Music Sightseeing Walk with Audio Guide: $6.99
- A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $7.47
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $8.02
- Mirabell Palace and Surroundings Audio Tour: $8.52
- Salzburg Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Salzburg Cathedral: Guided Tour with Entry Ticket: $9.62
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarna $8.52Salzburg $28
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 Salzburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
-
Beer$3.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
- Stiegl Brewery Museum Entry Ticket & Beer Tasting: $16
- Stiegl Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
- Guided Wine Tasting in a Hidden Wine Bar: $36
- Private Austrian Wine Tasting with a Pro-Sommelière: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varna and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varna or Salzburg?
Varna has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?
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 Salzburg in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Salzburg. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
Varna is a little warmer than Salzburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salzburg this time of the year. In Varna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Varna usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during summer. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Varna usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyVarna 23°C (73°F)Salzburg 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Varna or Salzburg in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Varna as well as Salzburg. Additionally, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.
In the autumn, Varna is a little warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Varna in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In the autumn, Varna often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in October than Salzburg. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVarna 14°C (57°F)Salzburg 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Varna or Salzburg in the Winter?
Both Salzburg and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Salzburg. It's quite cold in Varna in the winter. In January, Varna is generally much warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 3°C (37°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
Varna usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during winter. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Varna usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVarna 3°C (37°F)Salzburg -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Varna or Salzburg in the Spring?
Both Salzburg and Varna during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Salzburg in the spring for the natural beauty.
Varna is around the same temperature as Salzburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the spring, Varna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Salzburg. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in April than Salzburg. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilVarna 11°C (52°F)Salzburg 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Salzburg and Varna
| Varna | Salzburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.