Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Varna?
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 Varna or Bologna?
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 Bologna 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 Bologna?
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.
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of the northern region of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, with a population of 380,000. It is a historical city known well by Italians, however, not as well known among foreigners. The locals of Bologna speak little to no English. The city is most known for having the oldest university in the West. Another reason many visit this city is because of its exquisite cuisine. Many Italians would consider it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country because of its impeccably preserved historic centers. The best time to visit Bologna is usually between March and October, although bare in mind that July and August can get quite hot.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Varna Prices
Bulgaria PricesBologna Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarna $91Bologna $220
The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $91, while the average daily cost in Bologna is $220. 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 Bologna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarna $39Bologna $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarna $78Bologna $204
Compare Hotels in Varna and Bologna
Looking for a hotel in Varna or Bologna? 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 Bologna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varna $10Bologna $24
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bologna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
- Airport Transfer: Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna by Luxury Car: $196
- Airport Transfer: Bologna to Bologna Airport BLQ by Luxury Car: $196
- Arrival Transfer Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Sedan: $67
- Balsamic Vinegar Experience with Private Transfer: $203
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Bologna - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $232
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Ravenna Cruise Port - Arrival Transfer : $159
- Bologna Airport Transfers : Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City in Business Car: $124
- Bologna Airport Transfers : Bologna City to Bologna Airport BLQ in Business Car: $124
- Bologna Airport transfer: $54
- Bologna Private Transfer from Bologna city centre to Bologna Airport: $64
- Bologna to Bologna Airport (BLQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Bologna?
Prices for flights to both Bologna 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 $45Bologna $80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bologna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
- Sfoglini Cooking class in Bologna: $22
- Pizza Workshop in Bologna: $30
- Bologna Private Food Tour Eating around the Centre: $72
- Authentic Bologna Home Cooking Class: Tagliatelle & Tortellini: $78
- Pasta and Tiramisu Small Group Cooking Class with Wine: $82
- Bologna Walking Food Tour and Highlights with a Local Guide: $82
- Bologna Local Pasta Cooking Class: Ragu, Spritz & Mr. Gelato: $88
- Dinner, Wine & Tastings Walking Tour: $89
- Tagliatelle & Ragù Home Cooking Class with wine: $90
- Dining experience at a local's home in Predappio with cooking demo: $101
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Forlimpopoli with Show Cooking: $101
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Lama Mocogno with Show Cooking: $101
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varna $9.44Bologna $45
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bologna
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
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Food Tour (for 2)$37
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Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)$134
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Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2)$79
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National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2)$14
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Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2)$14
Tours and Activities in Bologna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
- Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.71
- Bologna Secrets Quest: Self-Guided Hidden Gems Adventure: $6.60
- Bologna Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide: $7.16
- Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Bologna Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Bologna Audio Tour: Bologna Audio Tour Adventure: $15
- Bologna Guided Tour of the Basilica Di San Luca: $18
- Tower and Power, Virtual tour in Medieval Bologna: $21
- InfernoDante: experience 4 iconic songs in first person with Virtual Reality: $22
- Ferruccio Lamborghini Entry Ticket in Bologna : $23
- Lamborghini Museum Guided Tour and Entry Ticket: $27
- Bologna City Walking Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarna $9.40Bologna $33
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Bologna
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
- Bologna Pub Crawl to meet people: $19
- Private wine tasting of Palazzo di Varignana: $21
- Wine tasting on the hills of Bologna in Dozza: $36
- Modena area: Lambrusco Wine Tasting Experience: $42
- Parma Hills and Wine Tasting with Food Platter: $58
- From Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour with the winemaker: $58
- Montevecchio Isolani wine tasting experience: $60
- Bologna Food & Wine tour with a local Chef: $75
- Eating Bologna Food and Wine Tour: $113
- Food and Wine Tasting Tour in Bologna with Local Guide : $130
- Cook Fresh Pasta + Wine Tasting (Includes 4-Course Meal): $147
- Bologna Exclusive Italian Wine Tasting in the centre: $155
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varna and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna 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 Bologna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varna or Bologna?
Bologna has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Bologna, 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 Bologna?
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 Bologna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varna and Bologna. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Varna is around the same temperature as Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bologna this time of the year. In Varna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Varna usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during summer. Varna gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Varna usually receives more rain than Bologna. Varna gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVarna 23°C (73°F)Bologna 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Varna or Bologna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Varna as well as Bologna. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Bologna because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Varna is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Varna in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Varna often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Varna gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bologna. Varna usually gets less rain in October than Bologna. Varna gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVarna 14°C (57°F)Bologna 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Varna or Bologna in the Winter?
Both Bologna and Varna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.
It's quite cold in Bologna in the winter. The weather in Varna can be very cold. In January, Varna is generally a little warmer than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Varna average around 3°C (37°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Varna usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during winter. Varna gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Varna usually receives less rain than Bologna. Varna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVarna 3°C (37°F)Bologna 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Varna or Bologna in the Spring?
Both Bologna and Varna during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the natural beauty.
Varna is cooler than Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Varna averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Varna often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Varna gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun.
Varna usually gets less rain in April than Bologna. Varna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVarna 11°C (52°F)Bologna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Bologna and Varna
| Varna | Bologna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 mm (3.3 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.