Which place is cheaper, Plovdiv or Cappadocia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cappadocia or Plovdiv?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cappadocia 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: Cappadocia or Plovdiv?
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is in Central Anatolia, between the mountains Erciyes, Melendiz and Hasan. It is famous for its underground cities, fairy chimneys, and caves. The landscape of the area is some of the most unique you'll ever see. The fairy chimneys are bizarrely shaped rock outcroppings that have evolved from the unique geography in the area. There are hiking trails through the series of valleys that make up the area. It's a great place to explore for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
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 The Best 10-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best 2-Week Tours from Istanbul, 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 dayCappadocia $151Plovdiv $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Cappadocia is $151, 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 Cappadocia and Plovdiv in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCappadocia $53Plovdiv $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCappadocia $106Plovdiv $88
Compare Hotels in Cappadocia and Plovdiv
Looking for a hotel in Cappadocia 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: Cappadocia Hotel Prices and Plovdiv Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cappadocia $51Plovdiv $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cappadocia
Also for Cappadocia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whirling Dervishes Show in Cappadocia w/ Free Hotel Transfer: $20
- Transfer from Kayseri Airport to Cappadocia Hotels (Small Group): $16
- Shuttle Transfer from Cappadocia Hotels to "Kayseri Erkilet Airport": $22
- Shared Shuttle Airport or Hotel Transfer in Cappadocia: $16
- Shared Airport Transfer to Nevsehir Airport From Cappadocia: $22
- Shared Airport Transfer from Nevsehir Airport to Cappadocia: $22
- Shared Airport Transfer From Nevsehir/Kayseri Airports to Hotels: $15
- Private Transfers Nevşehir Apt to/from Kaymaklı or Özkonak Underground Cities: $131
- Private Transfers Kayseri Erkılet Airport to/from Cappadocia Region: $131
- Private Transfers Kayseri Apt to/from Kaymaklı or Özkonak Underground Cities: $131
- Private Transfer from Nevşehir (NAV) Airport to Cappadocia Hotels: $87
- Private Transfer from Cappadocia Hotels to Nevşehir(NAV) Airport: $82
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
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Varna: $356
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas: $263
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $191
- Private Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $160
- Sofia: Private Transfer from Sofia to Plovdiv OR vice versa: $148
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia / vice versa: $148
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $104
- Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $98
- Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $98
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Pamporovo: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Cappadocia or Plovdiv?
Prices for flights to both Plovdiv and Cappadocia 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 dayCappadocia $50Plovdiv $21
Typical Food Prices in Cappadocia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cappadocia:
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Cookies$0.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cappadocia
For Cappadocia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Turkish Night Show in Cave Restaurant with Dinner and Transfer: $44
- Cappadocia Turkish Night in Avanos Dinner Included: $48
- Cappadocia Traditional Turkish Night with Dinner (in Authentic Cave Restaurant): $53
- Turkish Night Show With Dinner in a Cave Restaurant: $55
- Cappadocia Night: Turkish Dance & Dinner : $60
- Cappadocia Turkish Night Show with Dinner and Entertainments: $62
- Cappadocian cooking - hands-on class with pickup: $64
- Romantic Cappadocia Sunset Dinner and Wine : $65
- Turkish night show with dinner and unlimited free alcohol: $69
- Cappadocia Cave Restaurant for Dinner and Turkish Entertainments: $71
- Half-Day Private Food Tour in Kayseri: $75
- Romantic Cappadocia Private Sunset Dinner With Wild Food : $78
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cappadocia $95Plovdiv $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cappadocia
For Cappadocia, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Underground City Entrance for Two$0.93
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Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two$18
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Horseback Riding for Two$3.55
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Cappadocia Driving Tour$3.78
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Goreme Museum Entrance Fee$0.46
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Whirling Dervishes Show$3.09
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Turkish Bath$2.16
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Hot air ballooning$13
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Goreme open air museum$0.62
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Bellydancing Show$4.02
Tours and Activities in Cappadocia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cappadocia.
- 2 Days Cappadocia Red & Erciyes Ski Tour: $220
- 2 days Cappadocia Full Turkish night Show, Atv & Red Tour: $175
- Cappadocia Red Tour Small Group: $98
- Cappadocia relax tour car and driver: $131
- Private Day Tour Natural Beauties of Cappadocia and Underground Caves: $283
- 1-Hour Hot Air Balloon Tour in Cappadocia Goreme Valley: $250
- 2 Days Private Guided Cappadocia Tour with Pick Up: $225
- 2 Days Red and Green tour: $163
- 2 Hour Cappadocia Atv Experience : $40
- 2 Hour Cappadocia Jeep Safari Tour: $101
- 2 Hour Cappadocia Private Classic Car Tour: $128
- 2 Hour Sunset Quad Bike (ATV) Tour in Cappadocia: $22
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 dayCappadocia $18Plovdiv $9.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Cappadocia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cappadocia:
- Cappadocia Nightlife Experience: Bar and Pub Crawl Tour: $32
- Wine tasting in Cappadocia: $64
- Cappadocia Wine Cellar and Wine Yard with Wine Tasting: $79
- Full-day Cappadocia Tour with wine tasting and clay shaping : $90
- Wine Tasting and Sunset in Cappadocia: $196
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 Cappadocia and Plovdiv, we can see that Cappadocia 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 Cappadocia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cappadocia 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 Cappadocia Expensive? and Is Plovdiv Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cappadocia or Plovdiv?
Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Cappadocia. When comparing the sizes of Cappadocia 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.