How much does it cost to travel to Sofia?
You should plan to spend around $65 (ư118) per day on your vacation in Sofia. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $18 (ư33) on meals
- $8.53 (ư15) on local transportation
- $82 (ư148) on hotels
A one week trip to Sofia for two people costs, on average, $916 (ư1,653). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Sofia has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Sofia expensive to visit?
Sofia is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Bulgaria, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Sofia is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Europe for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Novi Sad, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Avignon.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Sofia Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Sofia?
The average Sofia trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Sofia travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
ư148
($82)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
ư15
($9)
|
Food 2
|
ư33
($18)
|
Entertainment 1
|
ư11
($6)
|
Alcohol 2
|
ư8 -
23
($4 - 13)
|
Accommodation Budget in Sofia
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Sofia is $41 (ư74). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Sofia is $82 (ư148). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Sofia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Sofia
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Sofia is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $8.53 (ư15) per person, per day, on local transportation in Sofia.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$8.53
ư15
How much does it cost to go to Sofia? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Sofia will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Sofia
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Sofia can vary, the average cost of food in Sofia is $18 (ư33) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Sofia should cost around $7.39 (ư13) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Sofia is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$18
ư33
Entertainment Budget in Sofia
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Sofia typically cost an average of $6.02 (ư11) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$6.02
ư11
Alcohol Budget in Sofia
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $8.54 (ư15) on alcoholic beverages in Sofia per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$8.54
ư15
Sofia On a Budget
Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and also its largest city. Some people have tried to compare it to Budapest, but the cities are actually quite different. In Sofia you will find wonderful European style architecture intertwined with Communist style buildings. It's fascinating to see the two dramatically different building styles immediately next to each other. There are also many Orthodox Churches around town, with their beautiful domes and intricate details.
Sofia is also conveniently located in close proximity to a popular ski resort at Vitosha mountain. It is jumping off distance to explore and enjoy some beautiful countryside and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The climate in Sofia is humid continental and the winters are cold and snowy while the summers are warm and sunny. At it's coldest, the city can reach around -15 degrees Celsius. It's not uncommon for there to be fog during the winter and there are on average 60 days with snow cover a year. Even during the summer months, Sofia is usually a little cooler than the rest of Bulgaria because of its high altitude. During heat waves though, temperatures can reach 35 degrees Celsius. During the spring and fall months temperatures and weather conditions can vary widely.
Sights
The city itself has some wonderful museums, galleries, parks and gardens. Popular sights include the National Assembly of Bulgaria, Sofia University, the National Palace of Culture, the National Museum of Military History,
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church and the Church of St. George, among others.
If you're in town on a weekend you can easily find an interesting street market. Booths will line the street with vendors selling knickknacks of varying quality. Some items are fascinating representations of the Communist era and can make for a unique souvenir.
Neighborhoods
There are 24 districts to Sofia, which include three other towns and 34 villages. Some notable districts include Oborishte, Sredets, Vazrazhdane, Mladost and Vitosha. Oborishte is at the heart of the city and where you'll find the majority of the landmarks and monuments. The architecture is predominantly neo-Renaissance and Viennese in style. There is also an impressive green belt. Sredets is next to Oborishte and it has similar architecture. This is where the Gardens of Boris is located as well as the Vasil Levski National Stadium. Vazrazhdane is the economic center of the city. There are many banks, manufacturing companies as well as the Central Sofia Market Hall and St. Nedelya Church. Mladost is a rapidly developing part of the city. A large portion of the population resides here and there are great transportation connections. Vitosha is at the foot of the Vitosha Mountain. There are many luxury estates and villas here, and there are many transportation connections to the city center.
Activities
Activities in Sofia include the opera and ballet, citywide tours, swimming areas and spas. Popular festivals include the Sofia Film Festival, Sofia Design Week, and the Water Tower Art Fest, among others. Do take note that during major national holidays such as Christmas or Orthodox Easter, the city is completely deserted and many places are closed.
Food and Dining
There are plenty of restaurants in Sofia, and it easily has the best food selection in all of Bulgaria. If you're on a particularly tight budget, fast food options are abundant and many places offer a convenient take away service. Pizza is ubiquitous in Sofia and is often one of the cheapest options available. Also consider trying some of the interesting pastry options available around town, many of which are filled with a hearty meat filling. Salads are another great option in Sofia. They usually do not include lettuce, but instead have an impressive diversity of ingredients that are fresh and delicious. The feta style cheese in particular is quite good. Also,
plenty of Vegan restaurants can be found in Sofia, too. You can find some more traditional restaurants around Sofia as well. Many are more expensive, but have a fun atmosphere with folk music or some form of live entertainment. International restaurants are often more expensive than you might expect, but the food is usually good and a nice break from the options available elsewhere in Bulgaria.
Transportation
Public transportation in Sofia is well established and efficient. There are buses, trolleys, trams, and a subway. In all, there are 15 tram lines, 9 trolley lines, 93 bus lines and two metro lines. It is helpful to know that bus #84 runs from the airport to the city center. There is also a subway line that connects to the airport. The entire public transportation system operates between the hours of 5 am and 12 am. After that time you must take a taxi. The city's taxi's are yellow and they can be flagged down on the street or called by phone. They are usually fast, reliable, and affordable.
More Information
If you want to learn more about Bulgaria, check out
55 Facts About Bulgaria that will Leave You Speechless.
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