Which place is cheaper, Varna or Riga?
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 Riga or Varna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Varna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Varna?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesVarna Prices
Bulgaria Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Varna €77
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, 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 Riga and Varna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Varna €33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Varna €66
Compare Hotels in Riga and Varna
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Varna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Varna €8.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minivan: $51
- Departure Transfer from Riga to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $68
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $164
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $563
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $503
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $468
- Private Transfer From Riga Airport To Riga City Center: $90
- Private Transfer Riga International Airport RIX to Jurmala City: $51
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $60
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga City: $78
- Private Transfer to anywhere in Riga Center: $60
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $138
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:
- Private Transfer from Saints Constantine and Helena to Varna (VAR) Airport: $27
- Transfers from Varna Airport to Goldens Sands St. Constantine: $38
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Varna City: $42
- Private Transfer from Elenite to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $54
- Private Transfer from Balchik to Varna (VAR) Airport: $63
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Balchik: $63
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Byala: $69
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Albena: $71
- Private Transfer from Albena to Varna (VAR) Airport : $72
- Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Obzor: $77
- Private Transfer from Sunny Beach to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $79
- Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Varna (VAR) Airport: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Varna?
Prices for flights to both Varna and Riga 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 dayRiga €57Varna €38
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Traditional Food Tour in a Small Group: $41
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $53
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $70
- Exclusive Igloo for Lunches, Dinners and Events: $72
- Latvian Art Museum, Dinner, and Black Balsam Tasting: $210
- Pizza Making Master Class in Riga: $251
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $252
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €14Varna €8.03
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom: $6.99
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $8.21
- Canal Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $8.21
- Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.38
- Old Town Electrobus Tour + Audio Guide & Drink: $9.38
- Riga Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.57
- Riga Canal and Daugava Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $9.58
- Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Welcome Drink: $10
- Rowing boats and Pedal boat rental - River Cruises Latvia: $11
- Riga English Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $11
- Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Drink and Audio Guide: $11
- Riga Golden Autumn Canal & River Cruise | River Cruises LV: $11
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
- Self-Guided Tour in the Museum of Glass in Beloslav: $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 : $70
- The Ultimate Private Communist Tour of Varna: $70
- Half-Day Tsarev Brod Winery and Walking Tour: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Varna €7.99
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $21
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $35
- Riga Pub Crawl: $41
- Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $47
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
- Game Night & Pub Crawl: $52
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $59
- Riga Brewery Tour: $59
- Prosecco Bike & Pub Crawl: $65
- Riga Brewery Tour: $77
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $94
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
- Private Varna Gourmet Tour with Superb Wine Tasting: $63
- Varna Exquisite Wine Tasting: $70
- Varna Vibes Adventure & Wine Tasting: $75
- The Ultimate Private Varna Walking, Culture & Wine Tasting Tour: $85
- Bike & Wine Tour to the Bulgarian Coast: $113
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Varna, we can see that Riga 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga 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 Riga Expensive? and Is Varna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Varna?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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.
When is the best time to visit Riga or Varna?
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 Riga or Varna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Varna. Many visitors come to Riga in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Riga is cooler than Varna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Varna averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Varna. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Varna receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Varna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Riga or Varna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Riga as well as Varna. Most visitors come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Riga is generally much colder than Varna. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Varna fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in October than Varna. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Varna receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Varna 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Riga or Varna in the Winter?
Both Varna and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Riga because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Varna in the winter. The weather in Riga can be very cold. Riga is much colder than Varna in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Varna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Varna. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Varna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Varna 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Riga or Varna in the Spring?
Both Varna and Riga during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
In the spring, Riga is much colder than Varna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Varna averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in April than Varna. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Varna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Varna 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Varna and Riga
| Riga | Varna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 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.