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

Should you visit Plovdiv or Vienna?

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

Where Should I go: Plovdiv or Vienna?

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.

Vienna

Vienna is the largest city and capital of Austria. It has a population of over 1.7 million and is a cultural, political and economic center for the country. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and some complain that it feels more like a museum than a real city. Outside of the historical center though, is a young and vibrant city with a huge music scene, many street performers, and eclectic and fun restaurants and nightclubs.

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 in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.


Which place is cheaper, Vienna or Plovdiv?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Plovdiv is $80, while the average daily cost in Vienna is $162. 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 Vienna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Plovdiv $44
    Vienna $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Plovdiv $88
    Vienna $200
Compare Hotels in Plovdiv and Vienna

Looking for a hotel in Plovdiv or Vienna? 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 Vienna


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 Vienna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Plovdiv $22
    Vienna $20

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: $378
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $104
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Pamporovo: $89
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $191
  • Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $98
  • Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $98
  • Sofia: Private Transfer from Sofia to Plovdiv OR vice versa: $148
  • Private Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $160
  • Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Varna: $356
  • Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia / vice versa: $148
  • Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas: $263

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vienna

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Vienna:


  • Bus to Airport
    $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vienna

Also for Vienna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Zoo with Private Flexible Transfers and Tickets: $122
  • Zoo with Private Flexible Transfers and Tickets: $125
  • Private One-Way Transfer to Cesky Krumlov: $629
  • Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Vienna Airport: $75
  • Melk Abbey and Salzburg Trip with Private Transfer: $922
  • Airport Transfer to/from Bratislava: $86
  • Vienna to Prague - Private Transfer with 2 hours of Sightseeing: $273
  • Vienna Private Transfer from Vienna city centre to Vienna Airport: $76
  • Vienna Private Transfer from Vienna Airport to City centre: $76
  • Vienna Private Airport Transfer: $71
  • Vienna International Airport Business Transfer to Vienna City: $141
  • Vienna International Airport (VIE) to Vienna Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Plovdiv or Vienna?

Prices for flights to both Vienna 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
    Vienna $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vienna

For Vienna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
  • Performance Of The Lipizzans At Spanish Riding School: $43
  • Naschmarkt Food Tour: $64
  • Vienna Naschmarket Food Tour: $65
  • Traditional Vienna Tasting Dinner With Folk Music: $68
  • Traditional Vienna Tasting Dinner with Folk Music: $70
  • Naschmarkt Guided Food Tour: $74
  • Vienna Evening Sightseeing Cruise With Music and Dinner: $74
  • 3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise: $76
  • Traditional Dinner Show at the Wiener Rathauskeller: $84
  • Kursalon New Year's Day Concert with optional Dinner: $87
  • Schnitzel cooking class with Nicole: $98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Plovdiv $15
    Vienna $41

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: $488
  • Bachkovo Monastery & Asen's Fortress - day tour from Plovdiv: $82
  • Communist Heritage Tour- Buzludzha and The Might of the East Block Aviation: $98
  • Day Tour from Plovdiv - Magical Koprivshtitsa, Landscapes & Wine: $156
  • Day Tour from Plovdiv full with History, Nature & Forgotten Village Experiences: $144
  • Exclusive Private Tour in the Thracian Valley from Sofia: $94
  • 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: $150

Tours and Activities in Vienna

For Vienna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private themed Tour of the Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum):"The Saviour, the Ruler, and Simply a Beauty: Women in Art": $164
  • "Girls just want to have Wine" - TUK TUK Sightseeing Tour: $152
  • "The Third Man" Film Location Tour: $28
  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Vienna with Photography: $98
  • 2-Hour Alpine Private Hiking Tour along Luckerte Wand Mountain from Vienna: $168
  • 2-Hour Private Hiking Tour Helenental Castles Hike from Vienna: $168
  • 2-Hour Private Hiking Tour to Meet History at Braunsberg Mountain from Vienna: $168
  • 2-hour Private Alpine Hiking Tour on Seekopf Mountain, Wachau Valley from Vienna: $168
  • 3 hour private walking tour - Vienna: $138
  • 3-Hour Private Hiking Tour to historic places around Spitz in Wachau Valley: $252
  • 3-Hour Private Tour of Vienna: $164
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour of Vienna Central Cemetery: $320

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Plovdiv $9.57
    Vienna $18

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: $64
  • Old Town Exploring Guide Roman Ruins & Wine Tasting: $80
  • Thracian Valley wine tasting - private day tour from Plovdiv: $92
  • Private Day Trip From Plovdiv To Wine Cellars And Wine Tasting: $108
  • From Sofia: Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Tour With Wine Tasting: $134
  • Half-Day of Horseback Adventure with Wine Tasting: $168

Sample the Local Flavors in Vienna

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

  • Pub Crawl Vienna: $16
  • Vienna Nights Pub Crawl: $16
  • City Center Pub Crawl: $27
  • Local Pub Crawl Vienna: $27
  • Wine Tasting at Traditional Cellar: $34
  • Guided Wine Tasting in a Private Wine Cellar: $39
  • Viennese Wine Tasting in a Private Hidden Wine Cellar: $39
  • Wine Tasting at Schönbrunn Palace: $48
  • Austrian Wine Tasting Experience: $63
  • Vienna Historical Highlight City Tour + Wine Tasting: $74
  • Skip-the-Line Schönbrunn Palace Entry & Wine Tasting: $82
  • Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $91


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


Which is Bigger, Plovdiv or Vienna?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Plovdiv. When comparing the sizes of Plovdiv and Vienna, 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.