Which place is cheaper, Sofia or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Sofia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Sofia can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Sofia?
Abu Dhabi
It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.
Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.
Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.
Sofia
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria.
-
Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesSofia Prices
Bulgaria Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Sofia $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Sofia is $83. 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 Abu Dhabi and Sofia in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Sofia $43
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Sofia $86
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Sofia
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Sofia? 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: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices and Sofia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Sofia $8.98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
-
Car Rental$31
-
Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Tickets with Private Transfers: $289
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Alain: $267
- Full Day Ferrari world Tour with Private Transfers from Dubai: $251
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- Layover in Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Tour Seamless Airport Transfers: $225
- Abu Dhabi Helicopter Ride with optional Private Transfers: $222
- From 2 Dives for Certified Divers with transfer: $218
- From Scuba Dive and Snorkeling with BBQ, Transfer: $218
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Dubai in Business Car: $204
- Ferrari World with Fast Track Access , Meal Voucher and Transfer: $200
- Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai Hotels Transfer: $199
- Louvre Museum Explore Canvas of Cultures with Transfer: $195
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $21
- Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $40
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Sofia City: $45
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia HTL-APT (SOF): $48
- Airport Transfer from Sofia Airport: $52
- Private Transfer from/to Sofia Airport : $58
- Private Transfer from Sofia Airport SOF to Sofia in Business Car: $58
- Korali Hot Spring with Private Transfers: $65
- Private Premium One-way Transfer Sofia Airport to Hotel or back: $69
- Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $70
- From Plovdiv Day Tour with Transfer: $77
- Private Transfer: Sofia to Sofia Airport SOF in Luxury Van: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Sofia?
Prices for flights to both Sofia and Abu Dhabi 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 dayAbu Dhabi $78Sofia $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Dubai Marina Unique Dinner Cruise with Belly Dance: $37
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari Tour with Shows & Buffet Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $79
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $84
- Dune Dinner Safari Abu Dhabi: $98
- Evening Abu Dhabi Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner- Standard Tour : $99
- 4x4 Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner: $100
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner: $110
- 2 Days Abu Dhabi City Tour with Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner: $126
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sofia
For Sofia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class in Sourdough Pancakes, Wine & Culture: $58
- Bulgarian Food tasting, cullinary-historical tour, Cooking class: $114
- Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $114
- Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $116
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Sofia $6.34
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Tour-Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Musuem: $115
- Abu Dhabi Yas Island Water Adventures Tour: $82
- Admission Ticket To Qasr Al Hosn Abu Dhabi: $20
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
- Yas island abu dhabi 1/2/3 park admission tickets : $105
- 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $149
- 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
- 2 Day Abu Dhabi and Dubai Group Tour: $160
- 2 Days 2 Park- Ferrari World +Yas Waterworld Or Warner Bros World Combo Tickets: $155
- 8 Hour Ticket/Pass For Yas Water World In Dubai.: $103
- 8 Hours Al Ain City Tour without lunch : $104
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- Sofia Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Self Guided Tour Experience in Rila Monastery: $11
- City Monuments Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $12
- Guided Walking Tour of Sofia: $12
- City Highlights Sightseeing Walking Tour: $12
- Live Guided Tour with Headphones: $14
- Sofia Audio guide Tour offers available in 7 languages: $15
- Bulgarian Rose Aromatic Experience : $16
- Self-Guided Tour in Sofia: $16
- E-guide for Any Sight, Tour, Trip or Experience in Bulgaria: $18
- Private Kayak Tour on the Pancharevo Lake: $18
- Pokémon GO Private Tour of Sofia: $20
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Sofia $8.99
Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:
- Sofia's Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl: $24
- Wine and Tapas Boutique Bulgarian Wine Tasting : $28
- Wine and Tapas - Bulgarian's Wine Tasting Experience: $29
- Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $35
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $68
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $69
- 1-Hour Private Cheese and Wine Tasting in Sofia : $93
- Melnik Wine Tour: $161
- Plovdiv and Wine Tasting Day Tour from Sofia: $163
- Melnik Wine Tasting tour from Sofia: $175
- Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour: $199
- From Koprivshtitsa, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour: $219
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Sofia, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Sofia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Sofia is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Sofia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sofia 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 Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Sofia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Sofia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Sofia?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Sofia, 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.
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.