A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Varna vs. Madrid for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Varna or Madrid?

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 Madrid 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 Madrid?

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.

Madrid

Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Madrid or Varna?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Varna is $91, while the average daily cost in Madrid is $189. 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 Madrid in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varna $39
    Madrid $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varna $78
    Madrid $182
Compare Hotels in Varna and Madrid

Looking for a hotel in Varna or Madrid? 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.

Hotels in Varna


Hotels in Madrid


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 Madrid Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varna $10
    Madrid $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varna

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:

  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sofia: $298
  • Private Transfer from Sunny Beach to Varna (VAR) Airport: $245
  • Private Transfer from Albena to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $170
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sozopol: $169
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Elenite: $169
  • Private Transfer from Golden Sands to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $144
  • Private Transfer from Varna to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $140
  • Private Transfer from Saints Constantine and Helena to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $135
  • Varna Airport - Sunny Beach | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $132
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Pomorie: $129
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Burgas: $123
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sveti Vlas: $119

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid

Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Madrid Airport MAD Round-Trip Transfer in Private Van: $190
  • Alcobendas Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $29
  • Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid City by Van: $82
  • Arrival Transfer from Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Van: $89
  • Arrival Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Private Car: $88
  • Departure Private Transfer Madrid to MAD Airport in a Minibus: $158
  • Departure Private Transfer from Madrid to MAD Airport by Van: $79
  • Departure Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Luxury Van: $96
  • Hotel Madrid City Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $29
  • Madrid Airport (MAD) to Madrid - Arrival Private Transfer: $43
  • Madrid Airport (MAD) to Madrid - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $86
  • Madrid Airport Departure Private Transfer: $51

Is it cheaper to fly into Varna or Madrid?

Prices for flights to both Madrid 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Varna $45
    Madrid $69

Typical Food Prices in Madrid

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:


  • Coffee
    $2.35
  • Ice Cream
    $3.52
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    $19
  • Croissant
    $1.76
  • Lunch at Airport (for 2)
    $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid

For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Madrid Old Town Tour & Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $71
  • Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid : $72
  • Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $76
  • Spanish Tapas Experience and Sangría Showcooking in Madrid: $78
  • Paella and Tapas Cooking Workshop in Madrid: $84
  • Madrid Spanish Omelet Cooking Class and Bottomless Wine brunch: $90
  • Spanish Cooking Class Paella Tapas and Sangria in Madrid: $102
  • Tapas & Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with a Professional Chef: $106
  • Tapas, Drinks & Stories: Madrid by Night Food Tour: $124
  • Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing: $142
  • Taste of Spain: Tapas Cooking Class with Bottomless Wine Pairing: $142
  • Afternoon Tapas Cooking Class in a Secret Venue in Madrid: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varna $9.44
    Madrid $39

Tours and Activities in Varna

Here are a few actual costs in Varna for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Audio Guide for All Sunny Beach Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $17
  • Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $23
  • Balchik Palace Walking Tour with Highlights: $36
  • Birds, nature and sightseeing tour around the Varna - Beloslav Lake: $225
  • Birdwatching and cultural heritage tour from Varna: $225
  • Bulgaria Cycling Day Tours - country & sea: $69
  • E-Motorcycle Tour in Old Rock Monastery and Old Roman Fortress : $125
  • Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna: $261
  • Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the South of Varna: $225
  • Full-Day Small-Group Tour of Bulgaria by Minivan with Lunch: $96
  • GPS & Video guided Tour to The North Coast Of The Black Sea: $201
  • Guided Nessebar Sightseeing Tour with Pick Up: $119

Tours and Activities in Madrid

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.

  • Self Guided Walking City Tour in Madrid: $1.17
  • Tour "Barrio de las Letras" Spanish Golden Age: $2.86
  • Tour "Madrid of the Austrias" | Old Town ❤️: $2.86
  • Malasaña and Chueca A Tour That Shouts Freedom: $3.57
  • Madrid Walking Tour from Puerta del Sol to Retiro Park: $3.57
  • Self Guided Tours Madrid With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.57
  • Madrid - Medieval to Modern Walking Tour (English): $3.58
  • Madrid Mountains Free Walking Tour: $3.58
  • Walking Tour of Madrid Moderno, Madrid de los Bourbons : $3.58
  • Tuk Tuk Tour of the Best of Madrid (booking only) : $5.97
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Cervantes Literary Experience in Madrid: $6.99
  • Ghosts of Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varna $9.40
    Madrid $23

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:


  • Beer
    $5.87
  • Drinks and Tapas (for 2)
    $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:

  • Top Pub Crawl Madrid & Party: $11
  • Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $12
  • Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
  • Pub Crawl Madrid by Mad Party Crew: $20
  • Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $30
  • Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor in Madrid : $30
  • Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
  • Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $55
  • Toledo Tour with Tapas, Wine Tasting and Optional 3 Monuments: $57
  • Hypno Tasting Wine Tasting under Hypnosis in Madrid: $59
  • Madrid Royal Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $71
  • New Year Eve Madrid Pub Crawl: $82


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varna and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Varna or Madrid?

Madrid has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Varna. When comparing the sizes of Varna and Madrid, 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.