A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sochi vs. Plitvice Lakes National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sochi or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sochi or Plitvice Lakes National Park? 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

One of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe, Plitvice Lakes National Park is an area of green forests laced with a system of interconnected turquoise lakes. It was set aside as a national park in 1949, and was later designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Plitvice Lakes National Park or Sochi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi is $60, while the average daily cost in Plitvice Lakes National Park is $133. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sochi $14
    Plitvice Lakes National Park $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sochi $28
    Plitvice Lakes National Park $128
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Plitvice Lakes National Park

Looking for a hotel in Sochi or Plitvice Lakes National Park? 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 Sochi


Hotels in Plitvice Lakes National Park


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sochi -
    Plitvice Lakes National Park $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plitvice Lakes National Park

Also for Plitvice Lakes National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb private one-way transfer: $150
  • From Zadar: Round-Trip Transfer to Plitvice Lakes: $42
  • Plitvice lakes Guiding with Transfer: $182
  • Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $271
  • Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zagreb Airport (ZAG): $232

Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Prices for flights to both Plitvice Lakes National Park 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sochi $17
    Plitvice Lakes National Park $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sochi $112
    Plitvice Lakes National Park $36

Tours and Activities in Plitvice Lakes National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Plitvice Lakes National Park.

  • Plitvice Lakes: National Park Official Entry Ticket: $11
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park Admission Ticket: $14
  • Half day tour around Plitvice Lakes: $29
  • Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $36
  • Plitvice Lakes: Guided Walking Tour and Boat Ride: $36
  • Plitvice lakes: Guided walking tour with a boat ride: $37
  • Private Guided Fairy Tale Tour in Ogulin: $38
  • Plitvice Guided Tour- Tickets only RESERVED: $44
  • From Split and Trogir: Plitvice Lakes Economy Group Tour: $48
  • Abandoned military airbase Zeljava -2h guided tour: $55
  • From Split: Plitvice Lakes Guided tour: $70
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park - Inspiration Buggy Tour: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sochi -
    Plitvice Lakes National Park $15


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



When is the best time to visit Sochi or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Sochi during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sochi is generally around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 23°C (73°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Sochi usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sochi 23°C (73°F) 
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Furthermore, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Sochi is a little warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sochi usually receives more rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sochi 16°C (60°F) 
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Additionally, most visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the cuisine during these months.

Plitvice Lakes National Park can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Sochi is much warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sochi in January average around 6°C (44°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 1°C (35°F).

Sochi receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sochi usually gets more rain in January than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sochi 6°C (44°F) 
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the natural beauty.

In April, Sochi is generally around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 13°C (55°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite rainy in Sochi. In April, Sochi usually receives more rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sochi 13°C (55°F) 
    Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Sochi

Sochi Plitvice Lakes National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (44°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 1°C (35°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 7°C (45°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 4°C (39°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 8°C (47°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 20°C (69°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Sep 20°C (68°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 182 mm (7.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 9°C (47°F) 202 mm (8 in) 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)