Which place is cheaper, Sofia or Kos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kos or Sofia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Sofia can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Kos or Sofia?
Kos
Kos is a Greek island and third largest island of the Dodecanese group, located near the Turkish coast in the southeast Aegean Sea. It is best known for its beautiful sandy beaches, which make it a popular tourist destination, as well as its ancient Greek and Roman landmarks.
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 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKos €134Sofia €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Kos is €134, 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 Kos and Sofia in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKos €62Sofia €38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKos €124Sofia €76
Compare Hotels in Kos and Sofia
Looking for a hotel in Kos 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: Kos Hotel Prices and Sofia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kos €37Sofia €7.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kos
Also for Kos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kos transfer services, Kos - Airport - Kos: $106
- Private arrival Transfer from Kos Airport to any resort in the island: $84
- Departure transfer to Kos Airport : $67
- Arrival transfer from Kos Airport : $67
- Kos Airport to Kos Hotels Private One–Way Transfer: $64
- Artemis Hamam and Spa with Hotel Transfers Kos Island: $59
- Kos Private Transfer Services: $59
- Kos Hotels to Kos Airport Private One–Way Transfer: $59
- Kalymnos, Pserimos & Plati Island Cruise with Hotel Transfer: $59
- From Kalymnos Self-Guided Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $59
- Kos - Airport Private Transfer: $54
- Kos Town: Kalymnos & Pserimos Day Cruise & Optional Transfer: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $65
- Transfer from Sofia to Burgas: $266
- Transfer from Sofia to Borovets: $82
- Transfer from Sofia to Bansko: $130
- Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $19
- Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko: $194
- Transfer Services in Bulgaria: Sofia Airport and Hotel Transfers: $80
- Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $31
- Sofia to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $685
- Sofia City Private Transfer to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $53
- Sofia Airport Transfers: $49
- Private transfer from Sofia to Plovdiv or vice versa: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Kos or Sofia?
Prices for flights to both Sofia and Kos 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 dayKos €43Sofia €17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kos
For Kos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Greek Dinner with Music, Dancing, and Unlimited Wine: $43
- Kefalos Sunset Cruise from Kos with Dinner: $61
- Sunset Cruise with Swimming and BBQ Dinner: $62
- Tavern Dinner Experience with Greek Dancing and Wine: $65
- Kos Cooking Classes by Mama Contessa: $85
- Private Greek Cooking Class in Kos with Lunch: $90
- Sunset Safari Tour with Dinner: $95
- Private Cooking Class in Kos, Local Recipes: $97
- Half Day Wine Tasting with Dinner in Kos: $116
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.Kos €33Sofia €5.56
Tours and Activities in Kos
For Kos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Dory's Glass Bottom Boat Adventure in Pserimos and Pserimos Beach: $29
- From Boat Tour to the Volcanic Island of Nisyros: $37
- From Cruise to Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Plati with Lunch: $40
- From Kalymnos, Pserimos and Plati Day Cruise: $32
- From Nissyros guided island tour and volcano: $56
- From Pserimos Island Snorkeling Cruise by Diving Boat: $53
- From Zia Sunset Tour: $27
- From the Port of Full Day Boat Cruise to 3 Islands: $32
- Full Day 3-Island Boat Cruise from Port of Kos: $38
- Full Day Boat Cruise to 3 Islands with optional pickup: $33
- Full-Day 3 Island Cruise Tour in Kos Island: $37
- Full-Day Tour to Nisyros The Volcano Island: $33
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- Belogradchik Rocks & Venetsa cave/Small group bigger experience: $98
- Private Tour from Sofia to the Rila monatsery: $108
- 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave: $86
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Small Group Day tour from Sofia: $92
- 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery day tour from Sofia: $98
- Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia: $15
- Adventure Tour to Plovdiv and Rhodope Mountain: $107
- Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $59
- Afternoon Delights in Sofia Tour: $75
- Archaeological tour-From the Neolithic to Modern times in Augusta Trayana: $107
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $59
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $60
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKos €19Sofia €7.88
Sample the Local Flavors in Kos
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kos:
- Wineries Tour w/ Wine Tastings, Lunch & Transportation: $59
- From Tour of 2 Wineries with Wine Tasting & Small Bites: $63
- Kos Island: Wine Tasting & Zia Village Visit for Sunset: $149
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: $107
- 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 Kos and Sofia, we can see that Kos 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 Kos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kos 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 Kos Expensive? and Is Sofia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kos or Sofia?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos 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.