Which place is cheaper, Sofia or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Santorini or Sofia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Sofia, 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 Sofia?
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.
Sofia
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and also its largest city. Some people have tried to compare it to Budapest, but the cities are actually quite different. In Sofia you will find wonderful European style architecture intertwined with Communist style buildings. It's fascinating to see the two dramatically different building styles immediately next to each other. There are also many Orthodox Churches around town, with their beautiful domes and intricate details.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria.
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Santorini Prices
Greece PricesSofia Prices
Bulgaria Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantorini €250Sofia €73
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Sofia is €73. 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 Sofia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantorini €118Sofia €38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantorini €236Sofia €76
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Sofia
Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Sofia? 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 Sofia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santorini €35Sofia €7.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $6,211
- Private Sunset Tour with Picnic & Transfer: $178
- Caldera Cruise with Greek Meal and Transfer: $178
- Santorini to Mykonos: Ferry Ticket & Hotel Transfer: $139
- Santorini to Heraklion Crete: Ferry Ticket & Hotel Transfer: $136
- Wine Tasting Tour to 3 Wineries with Transfer: $128
- Private Transfers from/to Santorini Port (Athinios) to/from Oia: $108
- Santorini Private Ride Transfer Services: $83
- Roundtrip Transfer To Oia: $59
- Private luxury transfer: $46
- Airport, Port, and Hotels Private Transfer: $42
- Santorini Airport and Ferry Ports Shared Transfer: $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Transfer to Bucharest: $709
- Transfer from Bucharest to Sofia: $536
- Bansko Transfer From/to Sofia Airport and Hotels: $286
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Kavala: $258
- Private Arrival Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko Ski Resort: $226
- Bucharest: Private Transfer to Sofia: $222
- Transfer from Sofia to Stara Zagora: $212
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Nis: $199
- Borovets Transfers from/to Sofia Airport: $179
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Pamporovo: $175
- River Rafting Adventure in Bulgaria (incl. transfer from Sofia): $171
- Private Transfer From Sofia to Bansko with Rila Monastery Visit: $143
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Sofia?
Prices for flights to both Sofia 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 €96Sofia €30
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: $77
- Romantic Sunset Caldera Cruise with Dinner: $77
- Volcanic Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $77
- Catamaran Tour with BBQ Dinner, Drinks, and Music: $94
- Cooking Class with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $95
- Volcano and Hot Springs Sunset Dinner Cruise: $107
- Hands on Cooking Class with a Chef: $141
- Sunset Sea Kayak with Light Dinner: $142
- Luxury Sunset Cruise with Dinner, BBQ, and Drinks: $149
- Sunset Cruise with Swim Stops, Dinner, and Drinks: $158
- Sunset Cruise with Greek Dinner and Transfer: $178
- Luxury Sunset Cruise with Dinner & Open Bar: $180
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sofia
For Sofia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1980s Communism-Era Dinner with Local Host: $35
- Market Food Tour: $55
- Cooking Class in Sourdough Pancakes, Wine & Culture: $59
- Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $117
- Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $118
- Bulgarian Food tasting, cullinary-historical tour, Cooking class: $137
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $161
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santorini €35Sofia €5.56
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
- 5-h My Santorini Private Tailor Made Tour: $208
- 6-h Best of Santorini Sightseeing Guided Tour: $166
- Accessible Santorini Private Tour: $678
- Archaeological Bus Tour To Akrotiri Excavations & Red Beach: $58
- Best of Santorini Full-Day Private Guided Tour: $711
- Cruise Traveller's Shore Excursion: $261
- Discover Santorini with a 5 Hour Private Deluxe Tour: $237
- Discover Prehistoric Akrotiri & Winery Tour: $225
- Exclusive Catamaran Sailing Adventure, BBQ & drinks on board: $1,543
- Explore Santorini's Waters: Kayak Rental Adventure: $24
- Explore the Best of Santorini in a Day: Private Guided Tour: $297
- Ferry Tickets between Santorini and Crete Heraklion: $122
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- 3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia: $92
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Day tour from Sofia: $125
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Small Group Day tour from Sofia: $101
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour: $52
- 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery day tour from Sofia: $103
- 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery day tour from Sofia: $124
- Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $70
- Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $70
- Afternoon Delights in Sofia Tour: $83
- All inclusive Belogradchik fort and Venetsa cave day tour: $93
- Archaeological tour-From the Neolithic to Modern times in Augusta Trayana: $118
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantorini €25Sofia €7.87
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset: $57
- Santorini Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting option: $81
- Fira Town Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $83
- Wine Tour with Sunset in Oia: $111
- Wine Tasting and Cave Settlement Tour: $148
- Wine tasting in 3 Wineries and a Greek Meal group: $178
- Guided Tour to 3 Wineries with Wine Tastings: $178
- Tour of Wineries with Wine Tasting & Food: $178
- Wine Tasting Tour with Snacks: $190
- Three Wineries and One Brewery Tour with Tastings: $190
- Guided Wine Tour with Pickup and Snacks: $196
- Guided Wineries Private Tour with Wine Tastings: $196
Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:
- Sofia's Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl: $24
- Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars: $24
- Wine and Tapas Boutique Bulgarian Wine Tasting : $29
- Wine and Tapas - Bulgarian's Wine Tasting Experience: $30
- Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $36
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $46
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $46
- Wine Tasting: Bulgarian Wine Grape Varieties: $48
- From Rozhen monastery and Melnik with wine tasting: $107
- Sofia – Kazanluk Rose Valley & Oil Distillery Tour: $116
- Plovdiv Old Town & Thracian Wine Tasting – Day Tour from Sofia: $137
- Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting: $173
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Sofia, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Sofia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sofia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sofia 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 Sofia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santorini Expensive? and Is Sofia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or Sofia?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Santorini. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Sofia, 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.