Which place is cheaper, Bratislava or Plovdiv?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Plovdiv or Bratislava?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Plovdiv and Bratislava can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Plovdiv or Bratislava?
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.
Bratislava
The capital and largest city of Slovakia, Bratislava is set on the shores of the Danube River near the borders of Austria and Hungary. While the city is skirted by mountains and vineyards, its 18th century old town center is crossed with cobbled walkways and surrounded by historic landmarks and architecture. One such monument is the Bratislava Castle, set atop a hill overlooking it all-the old town, the river, and the bustle of people in the charming city below.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovakia, and The Best River Cruises in Slovakia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlovdiv $80Bratislava $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Plovdiv is $80, while the average daily cost in Bratislava is $132. 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 Plovdiv and Bratislava in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlovdiv $44Bratislava $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlovdiv $88Bratislava $106
Compare Hotels in Plovdiv and Bratislava
Looking for a hotel in Plovdiv or Bratislava? 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: Plovdiv Hotel Prices and Bratislava Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Plovdiv $22Bratislava $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plovdiv
Also for Plovdiv, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private One-way Transfer Plovdiv Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $42
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Stara Zagora: $87
- Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $98
- Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $98
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $103
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Bansko: $134
- Private Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $160
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $190
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bratislava
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:
- Vienna Airport VIE to Bojnice Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $130
- Private transfer from Bratislava to Vienna: $261
- Private Transfer from Bratislava to Budapest with 2h of Sightseeing: $201
- Private Transfer from Bratislava City to Vienna City: $98
- Private Transfer From Bratislava To Vienna Airport, 2 Hour Stop: $109
- Airport to Hotel Private Transfer Service: $23
- Bratislava-Budapest One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $293
- Bratislava Airport to Turčianske Teplice Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Bratislava Airport BTS to Poprad - Arrival Private Transfer: $168
- Bratislava Airport BTS to Piestany - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Bratislava - Budapest Transfer: $197
Is it cheaper to fly into Plovdiv or Bratislava?
Prices for flights to both Bratislava and Plovdiv 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 dayPlovdiv $21Bratislava $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bratislava
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bratislava.
- Local Beer & Food Tour: $141
- Bratislava Traditional Food Tour: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Plovdiv $15Bratislava $33
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 Private City Walking Tour Old Town & Ancient Stadium: $20
- Guided Walking Tour: $21
- Plovdiv guided walking tour: $22
- Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $23
- Local Adventures in the Rhodope Mountains: $32
- Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv: $38
- Plovdiv - Private walking tour: $41
- Walking tour of Plovdiv's top attractions: $54
Tours and Activities in Bratislava
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bratislava are as follows:
- Bratislava Premium Private Walking Tour, 4 hours: $222
- Magic Christmas tour in Komarno: $232
- Banska Stiavnica from Bratislava, UNESCO Day Tour: $228
- Beautiful Bratislava Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Beer Factory Tour with Beer Tasting in Banska Bystrica: $157
- Bratislava - Bike Tour: $53
- Bratislava - Grand City Tour: $84
- Bratislava Big Castle Tour by Presporacik: $18
- Bratislava Brunch Tour: $92
- Bratislava Card with Public Transport Option & Walking Tour: $24
- Bratislava Castle: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $9.31
- Bratislava City Private Walking Tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlovdiv $9.57Bratislava $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Plovdiv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plovdiv:
- Chateau Copsa Wine Tasting Tours & Activities: $21
- Old Town Exploring Guide Roman Ruins & Wine Tasting: $80
- Thracian Valley wine tasting - private day tour from Plovdiv: $91
- Private Day Trip From Plovdiv To Wine Cellars And Wine Tasting: $108
- From Sofia: Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Tour With Wine Tasting: $120
Sample the Local Flavors in Bratislava
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:
- Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
- Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
- Wine Tasting with Sommelier in Bratislava: $14
- Wine Tasting with Sommelier: $15
- Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $16
- Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $16
- Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting: $103
- Devin Castle Tour with Currant Wine Tasting: $143
- Devin Castle Tour with Wine Tasting: $157
- Bratislava Food and Wine Tour: $179
- Small Carpathian Wine Tasting and Red Stone Castle Tour: $190
- Little Carpathian Wine Tour: $199
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Plovdiv and Bratislava, we can see that Bratislava 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 Bratislava would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bratislava 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 Plovdiv Expensive? and Is Bratislava Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Plovdiv or Bratislava?
Bratislava has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Plovdiv. When comparing the sizes of Plovdiv and Bratislava, 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.