A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hydra vs. Plovdiv for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hydra or Plovdiv?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Hydra 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: Hydra or Plovdiv?

Hydra

The island of Hydra is located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs. Named for its natural springs, the island now has most of its freshwater imported from the mainland. The real gem of the place is the absence of motorized vehicles. Car and scooters are nowhere to be seen by the narrow marble-cobbled lanes, rocks, and sea. Such vehicles have been outlawed and so the way to navigate the island is by donkey, water taxi, or on foot.

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 Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, and The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria.


Which place is cheaper, Plovdiv or Hydra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hydra is €97, while the average daily cost in Plovdiv is €75. 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 Hydra and Plovdiv in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hydra 51
    Plovdiv 41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hydra 102
    Plovdiv 82
Compare Hotels in Hydra and Plovdiv

Looking for a hotel in Hydra 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.

Hotels in Hydra


Hotels in Plovdiv


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: Plovdiv Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hydra 26
    Plovdiv 21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plovdiv

Also for Plovdiv, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas: $263
  • Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia / vice versa: $148
  • Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Varna: $356
  • Private Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $160
  • Sofia: Private Transfer from Sofia to Plovdiv OR vice versa: $148
  • Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $98
  • Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $98
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $191
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Pamporovo: $89
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $104
  • Varna: Private Transfer from Varna to Plovdiv: $378

Is it cheaper to fly into Hydra or Plovdiv?

Prices for flights to both Plovdiv and Hydra 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 day
    Hydra 30
    Plovdiv 20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hydra 11
    Plovdiv 14

Tours and Activities in Plovdiv

For Plovdiv, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Plovdiv Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Pokémon GO Private Tour of Plovdiv: $17
  • Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $20
  • Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $20
  • Guided Walking Tour: $21
  • Plovdiv Private City Walking Tour Old Town & Ancient Stadium: $21
  • Plovdiv guided walking tour: $22
  • Private Virtual Tour in Plovdiv with a Local Guide: $32
  • Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv: $38
  • Plovdiv - Private walking tour: $41
  • Walking tour of Plovdiv's top attractions: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hydra 11
    Plovdiv 8.99

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 Hydra and Plovdiv, we can see that Hydra 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 Hydra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hydra 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 Hydra Expensive? and Is Plovdiv Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hydra or Plovdiv?

Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra 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.