Which place is cheaper, Dubrovnik or Plovdiv?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Plovdiv or Dubrovnik?
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 Dubrovnik can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Plovdiv or Dubrovnik?
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.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlovdiv $80Dubrovnik $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Plovdiv is $80, while the average daily cost in Dubrovnik is $103. 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 Dubrovnik in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlovdiv $44Dubrovnik $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlovdiv $88Dubrovnik $106
Compare Hotels in Plovdiv and Dubrovnik
Looking for a hotel in Plovdiv or Dubrovnik? 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 Dubrovnik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Plovdiv $22Dubrovnik $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plovdiv
Also for Plovdiv, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $190
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Borovets: $103
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $103
- Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:
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Bus Around Town$1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik
Also for Dubrovnik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers to and from Ston area to and from Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik airport: $152
- Transfers from Dubrovnik : $65
- Transfer to from Slano up to 7 persons to or from Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik APT: $109
- Transfer from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik city: $65
- Transfer from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik: $22
- Transfer from Dubrovnik airport or Dubrovnik to Sun Gardens, Trsteno or Brsečine: $81
- Transfer from Dubrovnik Airport to Dubrovnik: $52
- Transfer Dubrovnik Airport (Croatia) to Kotor (Montenegro): $197
- Taxi transfer from Dubrovnik to Međugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina: $217
- Split TO/FROM: Dubrovnik Private Transfer with Stop in Ston: $266
- Return transfer to Dubrovnik airport: $24
- Private van Transfer Service in Dubrovnik: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Plovdiv or Dubrovnik?
Prices for flights to both Dubrovnik 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 $21Dubrovnik $35
Typical Food Prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:
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Seafood Dinner (for 2)$31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset Dinner Cruise around the Old Town: $80
- Food Tour: Taste Dubrovnik: $97
- Secrets of traditional Dalmatian cuisine with a cooking class: $127
- Old Town Food Tour: $143
- Dubrovnik Old Town Food Tour: Small-Group Experience: $146
- Konavle Wine& History&food Tour: $166
- Cooking Classes Traditional Meals of Konavle region: $179
- Traditional Dalmatian Cooking Class from Dubrovnik: $197
- Pelješac Full-Day Wine and Food Tour from Dubrovnik: $208
- Authentic Garden to Table Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside : $208
- Private Dinner with Wine and Homemade Tapas: $213
- Dubrovnik Food Tour with Friendly Local Guide: $229
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Plovdiv $15Dubrovnik $20
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: $485
- Bachkovo Monastery & Asen's Fortress - day tour from Plovdiv: $81
- Communist Heritage Tour- Buzludzha and The Might of the East Block Aviation: $98
- Day Tour from Plovdiv full with History, Nature & Forgotten Village Experiences: $144
- Exclusive Private Tour in the Thracian Valley from Sofia: $93
- 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: $134
- Full Day Eco Private Tour in Plovdiv: $81
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)$14
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Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)$56
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Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)$48
Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.
- Lopud Sunrise Sea Kayaking Guided Tour: $38
- MONTENEGRO TOUR from Dubrovnik: $104
- Magical Sunset Tour by CRUISER TAXI DUBROVNIK: $49
- Montenegro Bay Cruise with Lunch on the Boat from Koločep: $111
- 'Game of Thrones' Walking Tour in Dubrovnik: $57
- 1 Hour Shared Dubrovnik Guided Walking Tour : $26
- 1 Hour Sightseeing Tour in Dubrovnik : $104
- 1.5-Hour Walking Tour of Dubrovnik's Old Town: $20
- 2 Hours Private Dubrovnik City Walls Walking Tour : $150
- 2 hrs Guided Tour to CAVTAT a Small Place for Great Art: $27
- 2-Hour Dubrovnik Fun and Exciting Jet Ski Safari Adventure Tour: $137
- 2-Hour Early Evening City Walls of Dubrovnik Guided Tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlovdiv $9.57Dubrovnik $15
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: $107
- From Sofia: Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Tour With Wine Tasting: $120
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubrovnik
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:
- Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $54
- From Korcula Island Tour with Wine Tasting: $66
- Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $69
- Ston and Korcula Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $75
- Half-Day Wine Tasting with Snacks and Ston Place Visit: $75
- Interactive Wine Tour: $80
- Korcula & Peljesac Wine Tasting Group Tour from Dubrovnik: $83
- Day trip to Korčula and Pelješac with Wine Tasting: $84
- Konavle Valley Wine Tour from Dubrovnik with Train Ride and Wine Tasting: $84
- Interactive Wine Tour in Dubrovnik: $89
- Day trip to Korčula and Pelješac with Wine Tasting from Koločep: $92
- Dubrovnik Kayak Tour + Gourmet Snack + Wine Tasting (Small-Group): $97
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Plovdiv and Dubrovnik, we can see that Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Plovdiv or Dubrovnik?
Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Plovdiv and Dubrovnik, 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.