Which place is cheaper, Plovdiv or Antalya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Antalya or Plovdiv?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Antalya or Plovdiv? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Antalya or Plovdiv?
Antalya
Antalya is the largest city along Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the eighth largest city in the country with over one million people in the metropolitan area. The city dates back to about 200 BC when it was settled by the Attalid Dynasty of Pergamon and soon conquered by the Romans. The city was ruled by several different groups and most recently was transferred to Italian suzerainty following World War I. It became part of Turkey following the War of Independence. The city has seen an influx of development in recent years and it has grown into a tourism mecca with more than 12 million visitors in 2014.
Plovdiv
Located in a large, hilly plain between the Rhodope Mountains in the south of Bulgaria and the Balkan Range in the central part of the country, Plovdiv sits uniquely spread across six hills. It is one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world, dating back roughly 8,000 years. Some of its best features are its ancient ruins and historic architecture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, and The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntalya $147Plovdiv $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Antalya is $147, while the average daily cost in Plovdiv is $80. 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 Antalya and Plovdiv in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntalya $55Plovdiv $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntalya $110Plovdiv $88
Compare Hotels in Antalya and Plovdiv
Looking for a hotel in Antalya or Plovdiv? 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: Antalya Hotel Prices and Plovdiv Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antalya $110Plovdiv $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antalya
Also for Antalya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- olympos cable car with transfer from antalya: $87
- fire of anatolia show ticket and transfer: $76
- antalya to cappadocia/cappadocia to antalya private transfer: $416
- Yacht Tour to Suluada Island from Antalya with transfer and lunch: $27
- Turkey Antalya Airport Transfer Service VIP Transfer AYT: $46
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Antalya HTL-APT (AYT): $35
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Antalya APT-HTL (AYT): $35
- Transfer from Antalya Airport to city of Side: $74
- Transfer from Antalya Airport to Tekirova: $85
- Transfer from Antalya Airport to Kiris/Camyuva: $80
- Transfer from Antalya Airport to Kemer: $74
- The Land of Legends at Night w/Boat Parade Inl.Transfer f/Antalya: $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plovdiv
Also for Plovdiv, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varna: Private Transfer from Varna to Plovdiv: $378
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $104
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Pamporovo: $89
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $191
- Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $98
- Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $98
- Sofia: Private Transfer from Sofia to Plovdiv OR vice versa: $148
- Private Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $160
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Varna: $356
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia / vice versa: $148
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas: $263
Is it cheaper to fly into Antalya or Plovdiv?
Prices for flights to both Plovdiv and Antalya 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 dayAntalya $25Plovdiv $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya
For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pamukkalea and Salda Lake Tour with Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner: $40
- Traditional Turkish Tastes at Antalya Food Tour: $47
- Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner: $73
- Full day trip to Pamukkale from Side with dinner: $104
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antalya $46Plovdiv $15
Tours and Activities in Antalya
For Antalya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full-Day Adventure 3 in 1 activity from Antalya to Köprülü Canyon National Park: $52
- Tour of waterfall (unıque): $71
- 2 Days Cappadocia Tour From Antalya With Cave Hotel Overnight: $60
- 2 in 1 Tour in Antalya Rafting and Buggy Safari Tour with Lunch : $40
- 3 in 1 Rafting Buggy Safari and Zipline Adventure in Antalya: $38
- 4-Hour Antalya Short Shopping Tour: $15
- 4-Hour Guided Antalya Aquarium Tour : $68
- 6-Hour Kemer Pirate Boat Tour with Open-Buffet Lunch from Antalya: $25
- 7 Hour Adventure on The Land of Legends Theme Park (Antalya): $120
- 9 hours Antalya Canyoning and Rafting Tours: $43
- A Walking Adventure in Antalya: $175
- Adrasan & Suluada (Turkish Maldives) Island Boat Tour: $28
Tours and Activities in Plovdiv
For Plovdiv, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5-Day Guided Tour to Sofia, Plovdiv and Istanbul: $488
- Bachkovo Monastery & Asen's Fortress - day tour from Plovdiv: $82
- Communist Heritage Tour- Buzludzha and The Might of the East Block Aviation: $98
- Day Tour from Plovdiv - Magical Koprivshtitsa, Landscapes & Wine: $156
- Day Tour from Plovdiv full with History, Nature & Forgotten Village Experiences: $144
- Exclusive Private Tour in the Thracian Valley from Sofia: $94
- Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv: $38
- From Bachkovo Monastery & Asen’s Fortress Tour: $81
- From Musala Peak Full-Day Trekking Tour: $130
- From Sofia - A Story of an Ancient State Day Tour: $95
- Full Day Archeological tour of Plovdiv and the Region: $97
- Full Day Eco Private Tour in Koprivshtitsa and Plovdiv: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntalya $20Plovdiv $9.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Plovdiv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plovdiv:
- Chateau Copsa Wine Tasting Tours & Activities: $21
- Plovdiv Exquisite Wine Tasting: $64
- Old Town Exploring Guide Roman Ruins & Wine Tasting: $80
- Thracian Valley wine tasting - private day tour from Plovdiv: $92
- Private Day Trip From Plovdiv To Wine Cellars And Wine Tasting: $108
- From Sofia: Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Tour With Wine Tasting: $134
- Half-Day of Horseback Adventure with Wine Tasting: $168
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Plovdiv, we can see that Antalya is more expensive. And not only is Plovdiv much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plovdiv would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plovdiv 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 Antalya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antalya than you might in Plovdiv.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antalya Expensive? and Is Plovdiv Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antalya or Plovdiv?
Antalya has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Plovdiv. When comparing the sizes of Antalya and Plovdiv, 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.