Which place is cheaper, Sofia or Brasov?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Brasov or Sofia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Brasov or Sofia, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Brasov or Sofia?
Brasov
Brasov is a mountain resort city in the region of Transylvania in Romania, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains and best known for its medieval architecture and history.
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 Luxury Tours to Romania, The Best Budget Tours to Romania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrasov $61Sofia $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Brasov is $61, while the average daily cost in Sofia is $65. 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 Brasov and Sofia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrasov $23Sofia $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrasov $46Sofia $82
Compare Hotels in Brasov and Sofia
Looking for a hotel in Brasov 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: Brasov Hotel Prices and Sofia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brasov $18Sofia $8.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brasov
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brasov:
- Transfer Bucuresti - Brasov: $372
- Bucharest to Brasov - Private Transfer: $329
- Brasov to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $329
- Brasov to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $266
- Private Transfer from Brasov to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $255
- Premium Private Transfer : Bucharest Airport to/from Brasov: $254
- Departure Private Transfer from Brasov to Bucharest Airport OTP in Luxury Van: $165
- Departure Private Transfer from Brasov to Bucharest Airport OTP in Business Car: $149
- Private transfer from OTP Airport to Brasov or Return: $142
- Bucharest Private Transfer to/from Brasov: $142
- Private Transfer from Bucharest to Brasov: $131
- Private Transfer from Brasov to Bucharest, 2h of Sightseeing, Local Driver: $125
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: $20
- From Seven Rila Lakes Transfer: $30
- Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $32
- Private One Way Transfer in Sofia: $33
- Private transfer: Sofia Airport (SOF) to Sofia: $47
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia APT-HTL (SOF): $48
- Airport Transfer from Sofia Airport: $49
- Private Guided Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko Ski Resort with a Rila Monastery visit: $52
- Private Transfer from Sofia to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $54
- Be Eco: Sofia Airport Transfer with an Electric Vehicle: $54
- Private Transfer from/to Sofia Airport : $54
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Borovets: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Brasov or Sofia?
Prices for flights to both Sofia and Brasov 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 dayBrasov $26Sofia $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brasov
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brasov.
- Small-Group organic home-made dinner in a Brasov village: $94
- Enjoy Traditional Romanian Cooking in Brasov: $96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sofia
For Sofia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Traditional Bulgarian Cooking in Central Sofia: $98
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $99
- Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $108
- Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $110
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Private Tour with Dinner, Folklore Show: $133
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brasov $9.80Sofia $6.02
Tours and Activities in Brasov
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Brasov are as follows:
- Bran Castle Entry Tickets : $24
- PIATRA CRAIULUI NATIONAL PARK eBike tour(BRASOV): $89
- 3 Castles : Peles ,Bran ,Cantacuzino Wednesday filming site-Tour from Brasov : $100
- 4 Hours Guided Bear Watching Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $85
- Bear watching experience near Brasov: $151
- Best day adventure: Transfagarasan private tour from Brasov: $153
- Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress Tour from Brasov with Entrance Fees Included - Optional Peles Castle Visit: $90
- Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress Tour from Brasov with Optional Peles Castle Visit: $51
- Bran Castle, Bear Sanctuary and Palinca from Brasov with Tickets: $211
- Brasov City Tour - Visit the CROWN City included Black Church entrance: $87
- Brasov E-Bike Tour Full-Day Amazing views and locations: $66
- Brasov Old Romanian District & Panorama - Private Walking Tour: $55
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- Communist Times Quest Experience in Sofia: $7.20
- Self-Guided Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.61
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.88
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $8.05
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Guided Walking Tour of Sofia: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Self-Guided Tour in Sofia: $16
- Rila Monastery History Walking Tour: $17
- Private Kayak Tour on the Pancharevo Lake: $17
- Communist Walking Tour: $18
- Communist Walking Tour of Sofia: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrasov $7.96Sofia $8.53
Sample the Local Flavors in Brasov
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brasov:
- Bran (Dracula) Castle, Bear Sanctuary, Rasnov Fortress & Palinca Distillery: $105
- Azuga wine tasting on a day trip from Brasov: $135
Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:
- Sofia's Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl: $20
- Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars: $20
- Wine and tapas - Bulgarian's wine tasting experience: $22
- Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $33
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $60
- 1-Hour Private Cheese and Wine Tasting in Sofia : $88
- From Rozhen monastery and Melnik with wine tasting: $100
- Private Sofia Tour with Wine Tasting: $109
- Private Sofia City Tour with Wine Tasting: $111
- Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia: $116
- Private Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Sofia: $121
- Koprivshtitsa and Starosel Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $141
When comparing the travel costs between Brasov and Sofia, we can see that Sofia is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brasov Expensive? and Is Sofia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brasov or Sofia?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Brasov. When comparing the sizes of Brasov 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.