A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sochi vs. Salzburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sochi or Salzburg?

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

Should I visit Sochi or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg?

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.

Salzburg

Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.

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


Which place is cheaper, Salzburg 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 Salzburg is $166. 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 Salzburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sochi $14
    Salzburg $98
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sochi $28
    Salzburg $196
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Salzburg

Looking for a hotel in Sochi or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg


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: Salzburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sochi -
    Salzburg $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salzburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:

  • Airport Transfer: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg by Luxury Car: $103
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $91
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Luxury Van: $93
  • Cesky Krumlov: Private One-Way Transfer to Salzburg: $629
  • Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Business Car: $91
  • Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Van: $93
  • From Salzburg to Munich Airport- Private Transfer - punctual & friendly Driver: $213
  • From Salzburg to Prague, Private Transfer with 2h of Sightseeing: $283
  • Kitzbuhel, Flachau, Transfer From Salzburg & Airport SZG: $288
  • Private Salzburg Airport luxury transfers to Salzburg city&Hotels: $65
  • Private Scenic Transfer from Salzburg to Munich with 4h of Sightseeing: $278
  • Private Transfer From Salzburg To Innsbruck, English Speaking Driver : $262

Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Salzburg?

Prices for flights to both Salzburg 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
    Salzburg $44

Typical Food Prices in Salzburg

Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:


  • Lunch Salad
    $9.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.

  • Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Class Including Lunch: $59
  • Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $60
  • Best of Mozart Fortress Concert and Dinner: $81
  • Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $83
  • Mozart Concert with Dinner: $83
  • Dinner Cooking Class and Music: $84
  • Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $85
  • Dinner Cooking Class - Prezels, Dumplings, Apple Strudel & Music: $86
  • Dinner and Classical Concert at Mirabell Palace: $94
  • Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert: $106
  • Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $111
  • Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $133

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sochi $112
    Salzburg $32

Tours and Activities in Salzburg

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Cathedral Entry Ticket with Audio Guide Option: $5.35
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Salzburg Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
  • Sound of Music Sightseeing Walk with Audio Guide: $6.99
  • A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $7.47
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $8.02
  • Mirabell Palace and Surroundings Audio Tour: $8.52
  • Salzburg Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Salzburg Cathedral: Guided Tour with Entry Ticket: $9.62
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sochi -
    Salzburg $28

Typical Alcohol Prices in Salzburg

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:


  • Beer
    $3.96

Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:

  • Stiegl Brewery Museum Entry Ticket & Beer Tasting: $16
  • Stiegl Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
  • Guided Wine Tasting in a Hidden Wine Bar: $36
  • Private Austrian Wine Tasting with a Pro-Sommelière: $185


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


Which is Bigger, Sochi or Salzburg?

Sochi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Sochi and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Sochi or Salzburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Salzburg. Also, many visitors come to Salzburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sochi is a little warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sochi in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Salzburg averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In July, Sochi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Salzburg. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sochi 23°C (73°F) 
    Salzburg 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Salzburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Salzburg. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Sochi is generally a little warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 16°C (60°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Sochi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sochi usually gets more rain in October than Salzburg. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sochi 16°C (60°F) 
    Salzburg 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Salzburg in the Winter?

Both Salzburg and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Salzburg can be very cold. Sochi is much warmer than Salzburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 6°C (44°F) in January, and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

It's quite rainy in Sochi. In January, Sochi usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sochi 6°C (44°F) 
    Salzburg -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Salzburg in the Spring?

Both Salzburg and Sochi during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.

In the spring, Sochi is a little warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sochi in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. Sochi usually gets more rain in April than Salzburg. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sochi 13°C (55°F) 
    Salzburg 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Sochi

Sochi Salzburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (44°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) -0°C (31°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 7°C (45°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 2°C (36°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 19°C (67°F) 93 mm (3.6 in)
Sep 20°C (68°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 182 mm (7.2 in) 5°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 9°C (47°F) 202 mm (8 in) 1°C (35°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)