Which place is cheaper, San Sebastian or Varna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varna or San Sebastian?
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 San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian?
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.
San Sebastian
San Sebastián is a city in northern Spain very well known for its summertime fun in the sun. While the streets are cool and happening at night, they take on a different charm by day. Beautiful beaches line the city's edge, right next to elegant historic architecture and churches, topping charts as some of the best city beaches in Europe. The food, too, is said to be some of the best with traditional Basque cuisine as well as the popular pintxo (tapas) bites. San Sebastián is a place of lively culture, teeming with beauty, flavors, and colors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarna $65San Sebastian $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $65, while the average daily cost in San Sebastian is $96. 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 San Sebastian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarna $35San Sebastian $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarna $70San Sebastian $86
Compare Hotels in Varna and San Sebastian
Looking for a hotel in Varna or San Sebastian? 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 San Sebastian Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varna $9.33San Sebastian $15
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 San Sebastian
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Pamplona city: $247
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Bilbao Airport: $268
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Pamplona Airport : $245
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Bilbao: $268
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Vitoria: $291
- Private Transfer from the Airport to San Sebastian City: $84
- San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer: $273
Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or San Sebastian?
Prices for flights to both San Sebastian 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 $23San Sebastian $33
Typical Food Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Dinner for 2$59
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Lunch for 2$11
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Lunch for 2$34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Sebastian
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Sebastian.
- San Sebastian Walking and Food Tour: $104
- Insider Best Culinary Gems Guided Food Tour in San Sebastian: $109
- Basque Cuisine Cooking Class with Market Visit: $148
- Full Day San Sebastian Food Tour : $150
- I travel for Food Tour in San Sebastian: $152
- Authentic Basque Cooking Class in the Old Town: $152
- Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $158
- Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $213
- Food tour in San Sebastian and Visit to a Gastronomical Club: $224
- History and flavors of San Sebastian for Dinner with Eskerne Falcón: $235
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varna $8.55San Sebastian $36
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 San Sebastian
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Valle de los Caídos Monument$6.43
Tours and Activities in San Sebastian
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Sebastian are as follows:
- San Sebastian Walking Tour With Pintxo And Drink: $16
- Guided tour of San Sebastián: $19
- Walking Tour in San Sebastian: $43
- Electric scooter city tour: $45
- City tour, bike ride: $45
- San Sebastian : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $49
- City tour, by electric bicycle: $50
- Private Walking Tour in San Sebastian with Pintxo and Drink: $54
- San Sebastián City Bike tour : $54
- Private Guided Sightseeing Bike Tour of San Sebastian: $60
- Hondarribia, S.Juan & S.Pedro Small Group Tour from San Sebastian: $60
- Small-Group Electric Bike Tour in San Sebastián : $61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarna $8.52San Sebastian $21
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 San Sebastian
Also in San Sebastian, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening): $141
- Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian: $148
- Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian. : $191
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $240
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $251
- Full Rioja Wine Tour with Lunch from San Sebastian Private Tour: $298
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varna and San Sebastian, we can see that San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varna or San Sebastian?
Varna has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of San Sebastian. When comparing the sizes of Varna and San Sebastian, 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 San Sebastian?
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 San Sebastian in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and San Sebastian. Also, the summer months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Varna is generally a little warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 23°C (73°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Sebastian this time of the year. In Varna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Varna usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during summer. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Varna usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVarna 23°C (73°F)San Sebastian 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Varna or San Sebastian in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Varna as well as San Sebastian. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.
Varna is cooler than San Sebastian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Varna often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Varna usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVarna 14°C (57°F)San Sebastian 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Varna or San Sebastian in the Winter?
Both San Sebastian and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Varna in the winter. In the winter, Varna is much colder than San Sebastian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Varna in January average around 3°C (37°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 8°C (47°F).
Varna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Sebastian during winter. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In January, Varna usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVarna 3°C (37°F)San Sebastian 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Varna or San Sebastian in the Spring?
Both San Sebastian and Varna during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the spring for the beaches.
In April, Varna is generally cooler than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 11°C (52°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Varna often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun.
San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Varna usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVarna 11°C (52°F)San Sebastian 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for San Sebastian and Varna
| Varna | San Sebastian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 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.