Which place is cheaper, Sofia or Ios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Ios or Sofia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ios or Sofia? 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: Ios or Sofia?
Ios
Ios is an island in the south of Greece, located in the Cyclades group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a peaceful beach getaway by day, and a lively party scene by night. While its main town is the hub for nightlife, it is also a charming place during the day, typical of a traditional Greek village with shops and cafes against a backdrop of whitewashed buildings and turquoise waters.
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 in Greece, The Best 3-Day Tours in Greece, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIos €91Sofia €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Ios is €91, while the average daily cost in Sofia is €60. 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 Ios and Sofia in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIos €39Sofia €38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIos €78Sofia €76
Compare Hotels in Ios and Sofia
Looking for a hotel in Ios 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: Ios Hotel Prices and Sofia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ios €16Sofia €7.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ios
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ios:
- 1-Way Private Helicopter Transfer to the Greek Islands: $2,405
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: $19
- Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $31
- Private Transfer: Sofia to Sofia Airport (SOF): $46
- Airport Transfer from Sofia Airport: $48
- Sofia Airport Transfers: $49
- Private Transfer from Sofia to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $53
- Be Eco: Sofia Airport Transfer with an Electric Vehicle: $53
- Private Transfer from/to Sofia Airport : $53
- Sofia City Private Transfer to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $53
- Private Transfer from Sofia Airport SOF to Sofia in Business Car: $53
- From Koprivshtitsa & Historic Homes Tour w/ Transfer: $53
- Private Airport Transfer from/to Sofia Bulgaria: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Ios or Sofia?
Prices for flights to both Sofia and Ios 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 dayIos €33Sofia €17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sofia
For Sofia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Night Tour & Folklore Performance with Dinner: $48
- Half-Day Sofia Evening Walking Tour with Vegetarian Dinner: $49
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $96
- Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $105
- Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $107
- Sofia by Night: Private Tour with Dinner: $117
- Evening City Tour with Folklore Dinner: $117
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Private Tour with Dinner, Folklore Show: $130
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ios €26Sofia €5.56
Tours and Activities in Ios
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ios are as follows:
- 5 -6 Hour Private Chora E-Bike Tours: $130
- Electric Bike Tour Chora to Diaseli Cheesery: $108
- Electric Bike Tour Chora to Homer's Tomp: $108
- From RIB Boat Trip to Sikinos Island and Winery Tour: $84
- Ios Island Trekking Tours: Discover Ios Unexplored: $27
- Ios Island: Speedboat Cruise from Mylopotas Beach: $52
- 4-Hour Cruise of the Best Beaches: $63
- Private Orienteering Experience in Mylopotas: $163
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.61
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.66
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $7.86
- Guided Walking Tour of Sofia: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Sofia Audio guide Tour offers available in 7 languages: $14
- Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia: $15
- Self-Guided Tour in Sofia: $15
- Private Kayak Tour on the Pancharevo Lake: $16
- Communist Walking Tour: $18
- Communist Walking Tour of Sofia: $18
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayIos €33Sofia €7.88
Sample the Local Flavors in Ios
Also in Ios, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl Ios Ticket in Cyclades: $38
Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:
- Sofia Pub Crawl - Party Tour of Sofia's Best Bars & Clubs: $16
- Sofia's Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl: $19
- Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars: $19
- Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $33
- Sofia Bar Crawl: $53
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $59
- Sofia Exquisite Wine Tasting: $75
- 1-Hour Private Cheese and Wine Tasting in Sofia : $86
- Private Sofia Tour with Wine Tasting: $106
- Private Sofia City Tour with Wine Tasting: $108
- Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia: $114
- Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting: $119
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ios and Sofia, we can see that Ios 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 Ios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ios 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 Ios Expensive? and Is Sofia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ios or Sofia?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 640 times larger than the population of Ios. When comparing the sizes of Ios 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.