Which place is cheaper, Thessaloniki or Varna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varna or Thessaloniki?
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 Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki?
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.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, and The Best Contiki Tours to Greece.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarna $65Thessaloniki $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $65, while the average daily cost in Thessaloniki is $144. 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 Thessaloniki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarna $35Thessaloniki $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarna $70Thessaloniki $170
Compare Hotels in Varna and Thessaloniki
Looking for a hotel in Varna or Thessaloniki? 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 Thessaloniki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varna $9.33Thessaloniki $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:
- Varna to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $644
- Varna Airport - Ravda | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $136
- Varna Airport - Nessebar | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $131
- Private Transfer from Varna to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $128
- Private Transfer from Varna Airport (VAR) to Burgas Cruise Port: $65
- 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: $219
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sozopol: $155
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Saints Constantine and Helena: $25
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Pomorie: $118
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Obzor: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer: $428
- One Way Private Transfer SKG Airport to / from Thessaloniki City Center: $24
- Private Transfer from Kavala to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $237
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Ammon Zeus Hotel : $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Resort: $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Thessaloniki Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki hotels to Thessaloniki Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $254
- Private Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport from Thessaloniki City: $120
- Private transfer to IKOS OLIVIA: $87
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Thessaloniki - Arrival Transfer: $21
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki Port: $142
Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Thessaloniki?
Prices for flights to both Thessaloniki 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 $23Thessaloniki $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $48
- Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $49
- Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $63
- Guided Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $71
- Private Walking Tour Gastronomic Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $87
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $95
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $95
- Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $95
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $97
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $97
- Greek Cooking Class, Market visit and Lunch: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varna $8.55Thessaloniki $28
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: $25
- Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
- Bulgaria Day Bike & E-bike Tours - country & sea: $63
- E-Motorcycle Tour in Old Rock Monastery and Old Roman Fortress : $114
- From Hiking and Climbing Day Tour: $74
- From Rock Sanctuaries Hiking Tour: $74
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna: $206
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the South of Varna: $206
- Full-Day Small-Group Tour of Bulgaria by Minivan with Lunch: $87
- GPS & Video guided Tour to The North Coast Of The Black Sea: $183
- Guided Nessebar Sightseeing Tour with Pick Up: $108
- Half Day Private Bicycle Tour in Varna: $29
Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- White Tower Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.54
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour & Narrative: $11
- Selfie Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- Museum of Illusions Admission Ticket: $12
- Thessaloniki Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- Byzantine Museum E-Ticket with Audio Tour: $13
- E-ticket to Museum of Byzantine Culture with Audio Tour : $13
- Thessaloniki Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarna $8.52Thessaloniki $16
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 Thessaloniki
Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Thessaloniki: $25
- From Pella-Edessa wine tasting: $64
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $81
- Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $83
- Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $91
- Wine Tasting Experience from Thessaloniki: $93
- Thessaloniki to Naoussa, Wine Tasting Tour – Private Day Trip: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varna and Thessaloniki, we can see that Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varna or Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Thessaloniki, 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 Thessaloniki?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Varna or Thessaloniki in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Varna as well as Thessaloniki. Also, many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Varna is generally around the same temperature as Thessaloniki. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 23°C (73°F), and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Thessaloniki. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Varna this time of the year. In the summer, Varna often gets less sunshine than Thessaloniki. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Thessaloniki receives 327 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets more rain in July than Thessaloniki. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVarna 23°C (73°F)Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Varna or Thessaloniki in the Autumn?
Both Thessaloniki and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Varna is cooler than Thessaloniki in the autumn. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Varna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Thessaloniki during autumn. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Thessaloniki receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Varna usually receives less rain than Thessaloniki. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVarna 14°C (57°F)Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Varna or Thessaloniki in the Winter?
Both Thessaloniki and Varna during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Varna can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Varna is much colder than Thessaloniki. Typically, the winter temperatures in Varna in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Thessaloniki averages at about 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Varna often gets less sunshine than Thessaloniki. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Thessaloniki receives 101 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Thessaloniki. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVarna 3°C (37°F)Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Varna or Thessaloniki in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Thessaloniki. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.
In April, Varna is generally cooler than Thessaloniki. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 11°C (52°F), and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Varna usually receives less sunshine than Thessaloniki during spring. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Thessaloniki receives 196 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Varna usually receives more rain than Thessaloniki. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVarna 11°C (52°F)Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Thessaloniki and Varna
| Varna | Thessaloniki | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.