Which place is cheaper, Sofia or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantorini €175Sofia €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €175, while the average daily cost in Sofia is €60. 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 €93Sofia €38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantorini €186Sofia €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 €28Sofia €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: $3,725
- Santorini Airport Transfer For Group: $296
- Santorini Shore Excursion with Boat Transfer - Skip Cable Car: $151
- Santorini Airport(JTR) to Santorini - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
- Caldera Cruise with Greek Meal and Transfer: $138
- Private Sunset Tour with Picnic & Transfer: $128
- Santorini to Heraklion Crete: Ferry Ticket & Hotel Transfer: $125
- Santorini to Mykonos: Ferry Ticket & Hotel Transfer: $125
- Santorini Luxury Sailing Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfer: $120
- Santorini Sunset Luxury Sailing Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, drinks, transfer: $120
- Wine Tasting Tour to 3 Wineries with Transfer: $115
- Private Round trip transfer to Santorini Thira Airport (JTR) to OIA, Greece: $110
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sofia to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $685
- From Private Transfer to Bucharest: $446
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Golden Sands: $298
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Bucharest: $298
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Sveti Vlas: $290
- Private Transfer from Sofia to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $290
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Burgas: $280
- Private Transfer from Sofia to Varna (VAR) Airport: $271
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Thessaloniki: $253
- Private Transfer Bucharest to/from Sofia: $224
- Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko: $194
- Transfer from Sofia to Pamporovo: $190
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 €48Sofia €17
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 Sunset Dinner Cruise Including Nea Kameni Visit: $98
- Santorini Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $107
- Santorini Volcano Sunset Cruise Including Dinner on Board: $108
- The Aegean Cooking Class: $109
- Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $120
- Sunset Cruise with Swim Stops, Dinner, and Drinks: $120
- Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings: $122
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sofia
For Sofia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Night Tour & Folklore Performance with Dinner: $48
- Half-Day Sofia Evening Walking Tour with Vegetarian Dinner: $49
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $97
- Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $105
- Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $107
- Sofia by Night: Private Tour with Dinner: $117
- Evening City Tour with Folklore Dinner: $117
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Private Tour with Dinner, Folklore Show: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santorini €36Sofia €5.56
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
- 3 Hour Tour in Oia: $120
- 3-Hour Santorini Highlights Tour: $71
- 4 Hour Eat and Drink Private Tour in Santorini: $295
- 4 Hour Private Guided Tour in Santorini: $218
- 4 Hours Private Custom Tour in Santorini: $185
- 4 hrs island tour and photoshooting, Oia Blue domes, Red beach : $196
- 4-Hour Private Custom Santorini Tour: $161
- 5-Hour Private Custom Santorini Tour: $182
- 5-Hour Private Tour of Southern Santorini: $399
- 6 Hours Land Tour Ideal for Cruise Ship Passengers: $283
- 6 Hours Santorini Private Tour: $250
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- Belogradchik Rocks & Venetsa cave/Small group bigger experience: $98
- 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave: $86
- 3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia: $81
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Small Group Day tour from Sofia: $92
- 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery day tour from Sofia: $98
- Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia: $15
- Adventure Tour to Plovdiv and Rhodope Mountain: $107
- Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $59
- Afternoon Delights in Sofia Tour: $75
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $59
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $60
- Audio Guide for All Sofia Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantorini €26Sofia €7.88
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
- Visit to a Wine Museum and Wine Tasting in Santorini : $76
- Notos Day Tour through History & Wine Tasting: $98
- Santorini 4 Hour Private Oia Tour & Wine Tasting : $104
- Wine Tour with Sunset in Oia: $105
- Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting from Fira: $109
- Wine Tour Santorini: $118
- 3-Hour Wine Tasting in Santorini : $125
- Wine tasting and Carving lesson in Santorini: $131
- Santorini Wine Adventure with 12 Wine Tastings, Tapas and Sunset: $131
Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:
- Sofia's Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl: $19
- Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars: $19
- Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $33
- Sofia Bar Crawl: $53
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $59
- Sofia Exquisite Wine Tasting: $75
- From Rozhen monastery and Melnik with wine tasting: $98
- Private Sofia Tour with Wine Tasting: $106
- Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia: $114
- Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting: $119
- Koprivshtitsa and Starosel Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $138
- Rila Monastery Tour from Sofia - Lunch, Wine Tasting & The Unique Stob Pyramids: $139
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.