Which place is cheaper, Varna or Lesbos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Lesbos or Varna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lesbos and Varna. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lesbos or Varna?
Lesbos
Lesbos, the third-largest Greek island, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and authentic Greek culture. Visiting Lesbos doesn't have to break the bank. Budget accommodations can be found for as low as €25-40 per night in the off-season and €40-60 during peak months. For affordable meals, seek out local tavernas away from tourist hotspots. The villages of Petra and Molyvos offer authentic dining experiences at reasonable prices, and many tavernas provide daily specials ("mezedes") that are both delicious and economical.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria.
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Lesbos Prices
Greece PricesVarna Prices
Bulgaria Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLesbos €276Varna €77
The average daily cost (per person) in Lesbos is €276, while the average daily cost in Varna is €77. 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 Lesbos and Varna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLesbos €117Varna €33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLesbos €234Varna €66
Compare Hotels in Lesbos and Varna
Looking for a hotel in Lesbos or Varna? 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: Lesbos Hotel Prices and Varna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lesbos €61Varna €8.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:
- Private One-way Transfer Varna Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $94
- Private Transfer from Albena to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from Albena to Varna (VAR) Airport : $72
- Private Transfer from Balchik to Varna (VAR) Airport: $63
- Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $144
- Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Varna (VAR) Airport: $81
- Private Transfer from Kavarna to Varna (VAR) Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from Saints Constantine and Helena to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $135
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Albena: $72
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Balchik: $63
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Kavarna: $90
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Obzor: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Lesbos or Varna?
Prices for flights to both Varna and Lesbos 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 dayLesbos €119Varna €38
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lesbos €37Varna €8.03
Tours and Activities in Varna
Here are a few actual costs in Varna for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Rope Adventure at Bellevue Park: $13
- Audio Guide for All Sunny Beach Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $17
- Self-guided tour in Varna Archaeological Museum + ticket: $23
- Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $23
- Balchik Palace Walking Tour with Highlights: $36
- Half Day Private Bicycle Tour in Varna: $48
- Varna Private Tour Itinerary: $67
- Bulgaria Cycling Day Tours - country & sea: $69
- The OFFroad Adventure : $71
- The Ultimate Private Communist Tour of Varna: $71
- Stone Forest and Aladzha Monastery Experience: $72
- Ultimate ATV and Forest Adventure in Golden Sands: $78
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLesbos €23Varna €7.99
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: $59
- Varna Exquisite Wine Tasting: $71
- Private Varna Gourmet Tour with Superb Wine Tasting: $71
- Varna Vibes Adventure & Wine Tasting: $75
- The Ultimate Private Varna Walking, Culture & Wine Tasting Tour: $94
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lesbos and Varna, we can see that Lesbos 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 Lesbos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lesbos 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 Lesbos Expensive? and Is Varna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lesbos or Varna?
Varna has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Lesbos. When comparing the sizes of Lesbos and Varna, 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.