Is Sofia expensive to visit?
Sofia is a fairly affordable travel destination with an average daily cost of $65. Compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a reasonably affordable place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of cities in Europe for its affordability, comparable to places like Krakow and Sopron.
Sofia, Bulgaria
How expensive is Sofia?
For a trip to Sofia, travelers spend on average $65 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Sofia here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Sofia?
On average, a weekend trip to Sofia costs about $196 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $391.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Sofia?
A one week trip to Sofia costs about $456 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $912.
Is it expensive to backpack in Sofia?
With more than 10 hostels around town, Sofia is a very popular backpacker destination. Hostels usually cost around $14 per night. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $4 and the most expensive rooms costing about $25. (See hostel prices in Sofia here.)
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Sofia.
- $8 for a dorm bed at Hostel Mostel
- $6 for a dorm bed at Hostel N1 in Sofia
- $13 for a dorm bed at Hostel Ivory Tower
Are hotels expensive in Sofia?
Examining hotel prices in Sofia, we can see that they are moderately priced when compared to hotels in other cities. The average cost for a night in a hotel room is approximately $45. The city is equipped with about 13 five-star hotels, boasting an average nightly rate of $82. For travelers aiming for a comfortable yet budget-conscious stay, three-star hotels come in at an average of $46 per night, while two-star hotels offer a more pocket-friendly choice at $31 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Sofia
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 13 | $82 |
| 4 stars | 41 | $58 |
| 3 stars | 118 | $46 |
| 2 stars | 38 | $31 |
| 1 star | 34 | $35 |
| No rating | 34 | $47 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Sofia?
In Sofia, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $6 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $11.
- Half Day Tour around Sofia and the mountains with Thermal Spa: $164
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $60
- Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup: $65
- Vitosha Trail Hunter Bike Tour from Sofia: $109
- Day tour from Sofia to Skopje, Matka canyon and Vrelo cave: $141
- Private Kayak Tour on the Pancharevo Lake: $16
- The Best of Sofia: Magical Snowshoeing Adventure in Vitosha & SPA: $104
- Via Ferrata Adventure on Kuklata peak 2257 m in Rila Mountain: $131
Is food expensive in Sofia?
In Sofia, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $18 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $17.
- Market Food Tour: $47
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $97
- Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $108
- Half-Day Sofia Evening Walking Tour with Vegetarian Dinner: $49
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Private Tour with Dinner, Folklore Show: $131
- Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $106
Is transportation expensive in Sofia?
Local transportation in Sofia can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $9 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $14. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Sofia
If you're planning a trip to Sofia, Bulgaria, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.