Which place is cheaper, Sofia or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bucharest or Sofia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Sofia. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Bucharest or Sofia?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria.
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Bucharest Prices
Romania PricesSofia Prices
Bulgaria Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $186Sofia $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $186, while the average daily cost in Sofia is $85. 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 Bucharest and Sofia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $65Sofia $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $130Sofia $88
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Sofia
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Sofia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $27Sofia $9.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Private Transfer Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) to/from Brasov: $292
- Private transfer Bucharest to Constanta Mamaia or back: $283
- Bucharest to Craiova - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $271
- Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Constanta private transfer: $270
- Bucharest to Ramnicu Valcea - Private Guided Transfer with Driver and Car: $265
- Private Transfer: Bucharest to Bran Castle of Dracula: $259
- Private transfer Bucharest Hotels to Port Giurgiu AmaW. + Scenic: $259
- Transfer from Bucharest to Brasov - Hotel Pick-up: $259
- Bucharest to Braila - Private Guided Transfer - Driver and Car: $259
- Private transfer from Bucharest Otopeni Airport OTP to Chisinau KIV: $250
- Bucharest to Cernavoda - Car and Driver - Private Transfer: $236
- Private transfer to Brasov from Bucharest: $236
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bansko Transfer From/to Sofia Airport and Hotels: $152
- Bansko Transfer from/to Sofia Airport: $295
- Be Eco: Sofia Airport Transfer with an Electric Vehicle: $58
- Borovets Transfers from/to Sofia Airport: $177
- Bucharest: Private Transfer to Sofia: $219
- From Plovdiv Day Tour with Transfer: $78
- From Private Transfer for SPA to Sapareva Banya: $100
- From Rila Monastery & Melnik Day Trip with Transfers: $102
- Korali Hot Springs Half-Day Experience with Private Transfers: $65
- Private Arrival Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko: $189
- Private Arrival Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko Ski Resort: $224
- Private Arrival Transfer from Sofia Airport to Plovdiv: $142
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Sofia?
Prices for flights to both Sofia and Bucharest 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 dayBucharest $104Sofia $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism & tour after closing: $58
- Wine Tasting and Dinner with Certified Sommelier: $105
- Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $106
- Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $140
- Bucharest Home Dinner;Authentic Romanian Food with a Local Family: $171
- Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $212
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sofia
For Sofia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1980s Communism-Era Dinner with Local Host: $35
- Market Food Tour: $54
- Cooking Class in Sourdough Pancakes, Wine & Culture: $59
- Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $116
- Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $117
- Bulgarian Food tasting, cullinary-historical tour, Cooking class: $136
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $159
- Sofia Evening Tour with Folklore Program and Traditional Dinner: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $15Sofia $6.51
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day 4x4 Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $188
- 1 Day ATV Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $224
- 1 Day Castles Tour - Sinaia and Bran: $148
- 2 Hour Photoshoot Experience Near Bucharest Architectural Charms: $142
- 2-Hours Private Bucharest City Tour: $153
- 2h Bucharest Private Tour by Car: $124
- 2h Bucharest Private Walking Tour: $77
- 4h Bucharest Private Tour (2h by Car and 2h Walking in Old Town): $123
- 4h Executive Private Tour Bucharest City - Fabulos Experience: $189
- 4hrs Premium Bucharest Sightseeing Tour, Private: $165
- 4x4 Nature Tour in Land of Dracula - 1 day: $214
- 5 to 6 Hours - Private Bucharest City Tour about Ceausescu and Communism: $236
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $4.48
- Self Guided Walking Tour of Sofia with Audio Guide: $5.90
- Rila Monastery: Monastery Self-Guided Audio Tour 7 lang: $5.90
- Sofia Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Sofia Discount Card – Balloon Flights, ATV, Spa, 70+ Experiences: $6.43
- Sofia Audio guide Tour offers available in 7 languages: $8.25
- City Monuments Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $12
- TOP Sofia : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
- Audio Guide for All Sofia Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $13
- Walking tour: Communist architecture in downtown Sofia: $18
- City Highlights Sightseeing Walking Tour: $19
- Pokémon GO Private Tour of Sofia: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.52Sofia $9.23
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $26
- Bar Crawling: $47
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $59
- Bucharest Private Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $68
- Mud Volcanoes and Dealu Mare Wine Tasting Late Start 1 Day Trip: $84
- Salt Mine Exploration and Wine Tasting: PREMIUM TOUR small group: $129
- Traditions in Village Museum and Wine Tasting Tour: $159
- Wine tasting in Bucharest Old town - bonus cheese platter: $163
- Antique ruins, Mamaia Beach and Wine tasting from Bucharest to Constanta: $178
- Salt Mine, the Muddy Volcanoes and Wine Tasting Private Day Tour from Bucharest!: $189
- Wine tasting - 1 Day Tour: $200
- Prahova Salt Mine & Wine Tasting - Private day tour from Bucharest: $200
Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:
- Sofia's Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl: $24
- Sofia Party Pub Crawl - Party Tour of Sofia's Best Bars & Clubs: $25
- Wine and Tapas - Bulgarian's Wine Tasting Experience: $29
- The Crawl Co. Sofia Hidden Bars Pub Crawl Experience: $35
- Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $36
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $46
- Sofia Nightlife Experience: Rakia Tasting & Pub Crawl (3 Hours): $50
- Sofia Bar Crawl: $58
- From Rozhen monastery and Melnik with wine tasting: $106
- Sofia – Kazanluk Rose Valley & Oil Distillery Tour: $115
- Melnik & Rozen Monastery Tour: Wine Tasting, History, Scenic Walk: $153
- Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting: $171
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Sofia, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Sofia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Sofia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Sofia?
Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Sofia. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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.