Which place is cheaper, Ljubljana or Plovdiv?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Plovdiv or Ljubljana?
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 Ljubljana can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Plovdiv or Ljubljana?
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.
Ljubljana
Most people don't travel to Ljubljana to see specific sights, as there aren't many famous attractions around town. Instead, this is a city that is about atmosphere. It's a city that you explore and immerse yourself in completely. You meet the people, you go to the clubs, you find the interesting restaurants. That is the best way to learn about Ljubljana.
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 from Ljubljana, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlovdiv $80Ljubljana $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Plovdiv is $80, while the average daily cost in Ljubljana is $94. 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 Ljubljana in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlovdiv $44Ljubljana $58
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlovdiv $88Ljubljana $116
Compare Hotels in Plovdiv and Ljubljana
Looking for a hotel in Plovdiv or Ljubljana? 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 Ljubljana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Plovdiv $22Ljubljana $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plovdiv
Also for Plovdiv, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varna: Private Transfer from Varna to Plovdiv: $376
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Varna: $354
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas: $262
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $190
- Private Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $160
- Sofia: Private Transfer from Sofia to Plovdiv OR vice versa: $147
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia / vice versa: $147
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Bansko: $134
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $103
- Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $98
- Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $98
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Stara Zagora: $87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ljubljana
Also for Ljubljana, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Ljubljana City to Lake Bled: $125
- Slovenian Coast E-Bike Tour with Transfer from Ljubljana: $146
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Tolmin : $208
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Krško: $255
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Kostanjevica na Krki: $259
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Kamnik : $74
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Jesenice: $144
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Ilirska Bistrica: $237
- Private transfer from Sežana (Casino Safir) to airport Ljubljana: $204
- Private transfer from Sežana (Casino Safir) to Ljubljana city: $172
- Private transfer from Ljubljana city to Žalec: $133
- Private transfer from Ljubljana city to Slovenj Gradec: $202
Is it cheaper to fly into Plovdiv or Ljubljana?
Prices for flights to both Ljubljana 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPlovdiv $21Ljubljana $18
Typical Food Prices in Ljubljana
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ljubljana:
-
Horsemeat Hot Dog$2.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ljubljana
For Ljubljana, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Slovenia: Belokranjska Pogača Cooking Class: $53
- Cooking class; Traditional sLOVEnian štrukelj: $64
- Traditional Slovenian Dinner and Show: $64
- sLOVEnian Strukelj Traditional Cooking Class: $65
- Traditional Slovenian Dinner and Performance: $74
- Flavour of Slovenia: Very Small Group Food Tour in Ljubljana: $81
- Dinner in the Dark: $86
- 3-Hour Food Tour: $91
- Dinner in the Dark: $105
- Šmarna Gora: Hiking and Food Tour from Ljubljana: $128
- The 10 Tastings of Ljubljana Private Food Tour : $208
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Plovdiv $15Ljubljana $16
Tours and Activities in Plovdiv
For Plovdiv, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hour Private Superb Buggy Adventure: $194
- 5-Day Guided Tour to Sofia, Plovdiv and Istanbul: $486
- 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 Eco Private Tour in Koprivshtitsa and Plovdiv: $134
- Full Day Eco Private Tour in Plovdiv: $91
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ljubljana
For Ljubljana, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Castle Tower Entrance (for 2)$8.67
Tours and Activities in Ljubljana
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ljubljana.
- Škocjan Caves, Rakov Škocjan & Marshes Tour (Slovenian underground): $151
- 4 Hours Private Ljubljana Walking Tour: $163
- 4-hour Bike Tour Ljubljana: $86
- 8-Hour Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj and Waterfall Savica Tour: $87
- Axe Throwing Experience in Ljubljana: $36
- Best of Private tour with Ljubljana born guide: $160
- Broken Bones Gin Experience: $37
- City Tour of Ljubljana: $173
- Discover the land of green gold - Private tour from Ljubljana: $276
- E-bike tour Bled: $130
- E-bike tour Velika Planina: $119
- Experience a day full of the beauty of Ljubljana, Slovenia: $52
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlovdiv $9.57Ljubljana $12
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: $133
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ljubljana
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ljubljana are as follows:
-
Drinks at a Sidewalk Cafe (for 2)$6.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Ljubljana
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ljubljana:
- Wine Tasting Ljubljana: $59
- 2-Hour Interactive Wine Tasting Experience in Ljubljana: $63
- Brunch and Wine Tasting at a Sommelier's Kitchen Table: $69
- Food & Wine tour with a Sommelier: $93
- Food & Wine Tour Ljubljana - Local Foodie Adventure in Slovenia: $96
- Private Family-Owned Vineyard Wine Tasting Trip: $144
- From Ljubjana: Slovenian Wine Tour: $191
- Wine Tours in Slovenia: $216
- Wine Tour Slovenia: $259
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Plovdiv and Ljubljana, we can see that Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Plovdiv or Ljubljana?
Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Ljubljana. When comparing the sizes of Plovdiv and Ljubljana, 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.