Which place is cheaper, Plovdiv or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santorini or Plovdiv?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Plovdiv, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Santorini or Plovdiv?
Santorini
Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, and The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantorini €175Plovdiv €75
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €175, while the average daily cost in Plovdiv is €75. 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 Santorini and Plovdiv in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantorini €93Plovdiv €41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantorini €186Plovdiv €82
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Plovdiv
Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Plovdiv? 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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Plovdiv Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santorini €28Plovdiv €21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wedding Transfer for Guests: $25
- VIP Limo Transfers From & To Santorini Port: $82
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Santorini APT-HTL(JTR): $31
- Transfer to Akrotiri : $43
- Transfer Perissa To Oia : $46
- Transfer From & To Santorini Airport Designed By You: $15
- Transfer & Tours: $17
- Shuttle Transfers From or To Santorini Port: $21
- Shared transfer to/from the airport/port : $74
- Shared Transfer From Airport and Port to Santorini: $17
- Shared Transfer : $33
- Shared Departure Transfers to Airport or Port Santorini : $33
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Plovdiv?
Prices for flights to both Plovdiv and Santorini 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 daySantorini €48Plovdiv €20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Santorini Caldera: Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $69
- Romantic Sunset Caldera Cruise with Dinner: $69
- Volcanic Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $80
- Catamaran Tour with BBQ Dinner, Drinks, and Music: $90
- Volcano and Hot Springs Sunset Dinner Cruise: $96
- Santorini Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $108
- The Aegean Cooking Class: $109
- Santorini Sunset Sailing Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $118
- Sunset Cruise with Swim Stops, Dinner, and Drinks: $120
- Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $120
- Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings: $122
- Half-Day Sunset Wine Tasting Tour in Santorini with dinner: $123
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santorini €36Plovdiv €14
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
- Santorini Panoramic Blue Shade Tour-Firostefani, Imerovigli, Oia: $62
- Santorini Secrets & Gems for Cruise Passengers: $96
- 3-Hour Private Tour in Oia: $218
- 3-Hour Santorini Highlights Tour: $71
- 4 Hour Eat and Drink Private Tour in Santorini: $296
- 4 Hour Private Guided Tour in Santorini: $218
- 4 Hours Private Custom Tour in Santorini: $186
- 4 hrs island tour and photoshooting, Oia Blue domes, Red beach : $197
- 4-Hour Private Custom Santorini Tour: $162
- 5 Hour Private Tour in Santorini: $191
- 5 Hour Santorini Shore Excursion for Cruise Passengers: $71
- 5 Hours Private Island Tailormade Tour in Santorini: $153
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantorini €26Plovdiv €8.99
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half Day Simply Santorini Tour with Wine Tasting: $60
- Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset: $62
- Fira Town Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $74
- Top Sights of Santorini with Wine Tasting and Sunset in Oia: $75
- Notos Day Tour through History & Wine Tasting: $98
- Santorini 4 Hour Private Oia Tour & Wine Tasting : $105
- Wine Tour with Sunset in Oia: $105
- Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting from Fira: $109
- 3-Hour Wine Tasting in Santorini : $126
- Wine tasting and Carving lesson in Santorini: $131
- Santorini Wine Adventure with 12 Wine Tastings, Tapas and Sunset: $131
- Small Group Local Wine Tasting Tour In Santorini : $131
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Plovdiv, we can see that Santorini 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini 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 Santorini Expensive? and Is Plovdiv Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or Plovdiv?
Santorini has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Plovdiv. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Plovdiv, 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.