Which place is cheaper, Berlin or Sochi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sochi or Berlin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sochi or Berlin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Sochi or Berlin?
Sochi
Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.
Berlin
Berlin is the capital and largest city in Germany. As such, travelers can expect typical European prices for everything from hotels to food to sights and attractions. While it's possible to experience this city on a cheaper budget, don't expect to get much without paying a decent amount.
With a population of about 4.5 million, Berlin is a very international city that is well known for its high level of tolerance, an eclectic nightlife, an artistic vibe and many historical sights. There are museums, palaces and landmarks spread throughout the city. Despite having a significant amount of damage during the last few years of World War II, Berlin has been rebuilt with an interesting diversity of architecture styles. This is particularly true after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Architecture in the city represents many different historical periods ranging from medieval buildings through modern, glass structures.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, and The Best Cultural Tours in Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySochi $60Berlin $147
The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi is $60, while the average daily cost in Berlin is $147. 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 Sochi and Berlin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSochi $14Berlin $68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSochi $28Berlin $136
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Berlin
Looking for a hotel in Sochi or Berlin? 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: Berlin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sochi -Berlin $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Berlin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Berlin:
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Short Trip Metro Ticket$1.50
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Bahn Ticket$3.21
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Short Taxi Ride$21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berlin
Also for Berlin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Berlin Airport BER to Berlin City by Luxury Van: $141
- Arrival Private Transfer from Berlin Airport BER to Berlin City in Business Car: $133
- Arrival Private Transfer from Brandenburg Airport BER to Berlin in Luxury Car: $141
- Arrival Transfer from Berlin Train Station to Berlin by Sedan: $72
- Arrival Transfer: Berlin Airport BER to Berlin in Business Car: $108
- Arrival Transfer: Berlin Airport BER to Berlin in Luxury Van: $112
- Berlin Airport (BER) to Berlin - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
- Berlin Airport (SXF) to Berlin - Arrival Private Transfer : $31
- Berlin Airport (SXF) to Berlin - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $63
- Berlin Airport Arrival Transfer to Potsdam Hotels: $173
- Berlin Airporttransfer, Driver, Chauffeur, Limousinenservice: $107
- Berlin City Departure Private Transfer to Berlin Train Station in Luxury Car: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Berlin?
Prices for flights to both Berlin and Sochi 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 daySochi $17Berlin $56
Typical Food Prices in Berlin
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Berlin:
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Sandwich and Coffee To Go$5.36
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Turkish Sandwich$2.14
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Currywurst$2.14
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2 Pho Noodles$9.64
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Restaurant Dinner and Beers (for 2)$64
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Mauer Park (2)$12
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Coffees at Impala$8.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- English Stand-Up Comedy with Pizza and Shots: $19
- Hard Rock Cafe Berlin with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- English Comedy Showcase Including Pizza in Berlin Mitte: $28
- Hard Rock Cafe Berlin With Set Lunch or Dinner : $34
- Kreuzberg kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- Berlin Mitte kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- No Diet Club - Street Food Tour with many Tastings !: $59
- Evening Yacht Cruise with Aperitif & Optional Dinner: $63
- Sicilian Cooking Workshop with unlimited drinks: $70
- Evening Food Tour by Bike: $70
- Sharing plate food tour in Berlin: $76
- Dinner Cruise on the Spree with Prosecco: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sochi $112Berlin $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Berlin Zoo (2)$21
Tours and Activities in Berlin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Berlin.
- Self-Guided Photo Tour with Digital hybrid Photobook: $0.53
- Berlin Walking Tour: $2.62
- Berlin Alternative Street Art Tour: $2.62
- Selfguided Audiotour "Old Berlin": $3.20
- Selfguided Audiotour "Center of Power": $3.20
- Third Reich and Holocaust Self Guided Audio Tour: $3.21
- Rude Bastards Tour of Berlin: $3.21
- Rude Bastards tour of Medieval Berlin: $3.21
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Escape Game and Tour: $3.74
- Museum Island Self Guided Audio Tour: $3.74
- Berlin tour - Free offer - in Italian: $3.74
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySochi -Berlin $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Berlin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Berlin from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Show$15
Sample the Local Flavors in Berlin
Also in Berlin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Original One80 Berlin Pub Crawl: $16
- VIP Pub Crawl with Drinks and Challenges: $16
- brewery tour with beer tasting: $19
- Vagabund Brauerei Beer Tasting & Guided Brewery Tour: $24
- Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Club Entry: $24
- Berlin Pub Crawl and Nightlife Clubbing tour: $26
- The Showgirls of Burlesque: $46
- Showgirls of Burlesque Entry Ticket: $69
- Berlin:sunset boat trip with Argentine wine tasting and food: $214
- German Wine Tasting Tour at the Best Wine Bars in Berlin: $250
- German Wine Tasting Tour at the Best Wine Bars in Berlin: $255
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sochi and Berlin, we can see that Berlin is more expensive. And not only is Sochi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sochi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sochi 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 Berlin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berlin than you might in Sochi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sochi Expensive? and Is Berlin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sochi or Berlin?
Berlin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sochi. When comparing the sizes of Sochi and Berlin, 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.
When is the best time to visit Sochi or Berlin?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Sochi or Berlin in the Summer?
Both Berlin and Sochi during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Berlin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Sochi is a little warmer than Berlin in the summer. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Berlin fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Sochi usually gets more rain in July than Berlin. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySochi 23°C (73°F)Berlin 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Berlin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Berlin. Also, most visitors come to Berlin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
In the autumn, Sochi is much warmer than Berlin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sochi in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Berlin averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sochi usually receives more rain than Berlin. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSochi 16°C (60°F)Berlin 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Berlin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Berlin. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Berlin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Berlin can be very cold. In January, Sochi is generally much warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 6°C (44°F), and Berlin fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
Sochi receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sochi usually gets more rain in January than Berlin. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySochi 6°C (44°F)Berlin -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Berlin in the Spring?
Both Berlin and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.
Sochi is a little warmer than Berlin in the spring. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Berlin fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
It's quite rainy in Sochi. In April, Sochi usually receives more rain than Berlin. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSochi 13°C (55°F)Berlin 9°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Berlin and Sochi
| Sochi | Berlin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (44°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
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.