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

Should you visit Plovdiv or Zadar?

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

Where Should I go: Plovdiv or Zadar?

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.

Zadar

You'll find Zadar in northern Dalmatia, Croatia. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and is the center of Zadar County. It is both the historic center for the region and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar. There are a handful of sights around town, most of which can be explored on foot.

The climate for the city is a mix between humid subtropical and a Mediterranean climate. The winters are usually mild and wet, and the summers are humid and warm. The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Average yearly rainfall usually exceeds 917 mm. Fall months often remain warm and temperatures are often around 30 degrees Celsius as well. In general, the temperatures rarely drop below freezing, even during the coldest month of January. The rainiest months are October and November, although winter is considered the wet season. July is usually the driest month. Water temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius in July and August and it may be possible to swim any time between May and October.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Croatia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Zadar 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 Zadar is $98. 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 Zadar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Plovdiv $44
    Zadar $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Plovdiv $88
    Zadar $112
Compare Hotels in Plovdiv and Zadar

Looking for a hotel in Plovdiv or Zadar? 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 Zadar


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 Zadar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Plovdiv $22
    Zadar $10

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 Zadar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zadar:

  • Private Transfer to/from Zadar Airport (ZAD): $72
  • Private Transfer to/from Zadar Airport: $47
  • Zadar hotels to Split Airport (SPU) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Zadar Airport: Private Transfer to/from Zaton Holiday Resort: $78
  • Zadar Airport: Private Transfer to/from The Garden, Tisno: $154
  • Zadar Airport: Private Transfer to/from Petrcane: $71
  • Zadar Airport: Private Transfer to or from Vir Island: $108
  • Zadar Airport to Novalja Private Transfer: $242
  • Zadar Airport Private Transfer: Makarska/Tucepi/Baska Voda: $466
  • Transfer from Zadar airport to Zrće Beach, Novalja: $165
  • Transfer from Zadar airport to Vir: $64
  • Transfer from Zadar Airport to Zadar City: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Plovdiv or Zadar?

Prices for flights to both Zadar 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
    Zadar $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zadar

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

  • Small Group Cooking Class: $39
  • Private City Tour and Cooking Class: $98
  • Zadar Private City Tour and Cooking Class: $99
  • Cooking class and shellfishing with a local on the island of Preko: $206

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Plovdiv $16
    Zadar $21

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

Tours and Activities in Zadar

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

  • Panorama guided Zadar Eco Tuk Tuk tour: $50
  • Zadar Boat Tour Half Day: $55
  • 1-Hour Night transparent kayak Tour in Privlaka: $55
  • 3 Islands Boat and Snorkeling tour with Fruits and Prosecco: $43
  • Be a Local: Private Tour from Olive Harvest to Culinary Delight: $220
  • Boat Tour around Zadar Islands with snorkeling during half day excursion: $45
  • Day Tour from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes: $50
  • Daysailing & SUP experience: $99
  • Dream Experience: Luxury Tour through the NP Kornati: $814
  • Dugi Otok - full day kayak adventure: $119
  • Dugi Otok - half day kayak adventure: $83
  • Early Bird Group Walking Tour in Zadar Old Town: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Plovdiv $9.70
    Zadar $13

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Zadar

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

  • Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting, & Old Town Tour: $53
  • Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting, Boat Ride & Zadar Old Town: $53
  • Private City and Wine Tour in Zadar with Eco Tuk Tuk: $88


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


Which is Bigger, Plovdiv or Zadar?

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