A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Plovdiv vs. Prague for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Plovdiv or Prague?

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 Prague can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Plovdiv or Prague?

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.

Prague

Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. It is also the largest city in the country and one of the largest cities in Central Europe. Prague has long enticed travelers for its beautiful architecture, impressive bridges, detailed cathedrals, and fascinating history. Prague is unique in that is remained almost completely undamaged during World War II. The medieval city center still feels like you've stepped back in time. Despite this historic atmosphere, there is still a lot of vibrant energy and you'll find many different live music venues, art galleries, modern restaurants, and unique festivals throughout the year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic, and The Best Luxury Tours to Czech Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Prague or Plovdiv?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Plovdiv is $81, while the average daily cost in Prague is $110. 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 Prague in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Plovdiv $44
    Prague $68
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Plovdiv $88
    Prague $136
Compare Hotels in Plovdiv and Prague

Looking for a hotel in Plovdiv or Prague? 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.

Hotels in Plovdiv


Hotels in Prague


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 Prague Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Plovdiv $22
    Prague $8.20

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: $43
  • Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $99
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $105
  • Private Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $162
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $193

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Prague

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Prague:

  • Transfer from Prague to Munich with 3h of stop in Karlovy Vary: $286
  • Transfer from Prague to Karlovy Vary: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing : $130
  • Transfer from Prague Hotel to Airport Prague: $59
  • Scenic Transfer from Prague to Munich with 2h stop in Plzen Beer Factory: $293
  • Scenic Private Transfer from Passau to Prague in a Sanitized Car: $293
  • Private transfer from Prague to Vilshofen: $597
  • Private transfer from Prague to Vienna: $641
  • Private transfer from Prague to Salzburg: $706
  • Private transfer from Prague to Munich: $706
  • Private transfer from Prague to Budapest: $1,075
  • Private transfer from Prague to Berlin: $706
  • Private transfer Prague: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Plovdiv or Prague?

Prices for flights to both Prague 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 day
    Plovdiv $21
    Prague $26

Typical Food Prices in Prague

Some typical examples of dining costs in Prague are as follows:


  • Fruit
    $4.26
  • Lunch for One
    $13
  • Bananas
    $0.60
  • Cookies
    $0.34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Prague

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Prague.

  • Anti Tour Prague - Self Guided Beer and Food Tour: $21
  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Prague with Set Lunch or Dinner: $28
  • Sightseeing Boat Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $42
  • Sightseeing Boat Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $48
  • Vltava River Evening Dinner Cruise: $53
  • Folkloric Dinner Show with Unlimited Drinks: $58
  • 2-Hour Dinner Cruise with Transfers: $58
  • River Cruise with Dinner and Live Music: $59
  • Medieval Dinner with Unlimited Drinks: $60
  • Prague 5 Courses Medieval Dinner and Live Performances: $61
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Plovdiv $16
    Prague $16

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
  • Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $15
  • Plovdiv Private City Walking Tour Old Town & Ancient Stadium: $19
  • Self-Guided Hiking Tour of the Smolyan Lakes: $21
  • Guided Walking Tour: $22
  • Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $22
  • Plovdiv guided walking tour: $22
  • Local Adventures in the Rhodope Mountains: $32
  • Private Virtual Tour in Plovdiv with a Local Guide: $32
  • Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv: $39
  • Plovdiv - Private walking tour: $41

Typical Entertainment Prices in Prague

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Prague are as follows:


  • Opera Tickets
    $4.26
  • Two Tickets for Charles Bridge Tower
    $5.97
  • Image Theatre for Two
    $41

Tours and Activities in Prague

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Prague are as follows:

  • City Tour with Prague Castle with Live guide: $44
  • Prague Escape Game Experience: $33
  • Private live-guided E-Scooter TOURS around Prague : $57
  • "Best of Prague" custom-built private tour 7 hours : $199
  • 1 hour Prague Panoramic Vltava River sightseeing Cruise: $15
  • 1,5 hour oldtimer convertible Prague sightseeing tour: $166
  • 1-Hour Introductory Tour of Prague Castle With Fast-GET Admission Ticket: $43
  • 1.5 Hour SEGWAY Tour of Prague: $64
  • 1.5h E-Scooter Small Group Tour in Prague ️+ Best Panorama Views: $68
  • 180 Min Grand Private City Tour on E-Scooter: $96
  • 2 Countries Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland tour from Prague: $155
  • 2-hour guided walking tour of Prague's Old Town: $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Plovdiv $9.70
    Prague $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Plovdiv

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plovdiv:

  • Chateau Copsa Wine Tasting Tours & Activities: $21
  • Plovdiv Exquisite Wine Tasting: $65
  • Thracian Valley wine tasting - private day tour from Plovdiv: $93
  • Private Day Trip From Plovdiv To Wine Cellars And Wine Tasting: $109
  • From Sofia: Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Tour With Wine Tasting: $122

Typical Alcohol Prices in Prague

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Prague from other travelers:


  • A Bottle of Wine
    $6.78

Sample the Local Flavors in Prague

Also in Prague, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Staropramem Brewery Self-Guided Tour with Tasting: $14
  • Clock Tower Bar Crawl with Drinks and Shots: $23
  • Clock Tower Bar Crawl in Prague: $27
  • Pub Crawl in Prague: $32
  • Pub Crawl and International Party: $35
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Entry: $35
  • Prague Pub Crawl: $35
  • Pub Crawl with 2-Hour Open Bar at Drunken Monkey: $36
  • Drunken Monkey Pub Crawl: $36
  • Golden BURLESQUE: $42
  • Prague beer tour with brewery visit and tasting: $46
  • Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Prague: $50


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Plovdiv and Prague, we can see that Prague 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 Prague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Prague 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 Prague Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Plovdiv or Prague?

Prague has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Plovdiv. When comparing the sizes of Plovdiv and Prague, 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.