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

Should you visit Sochi or Zagreb?

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

Should I visit Sochi or Zagreb? 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 Zagreb?

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.

Zagreb

Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Zagreb 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 Zagreb is $82. 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 Zagreb in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sochi $14
    Zagreb $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sochi $28
    Zagreb $102
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Zagreb

Looking for a hotel in Sochi or Zagreb? 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 Zagreb


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: Zagreb Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sochi -
    Zagreb $9.69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:

  • Airport Zagreb Transfer and Shuttle : $98
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Zagreb Airport ZAG to Zagreb City by luxury van: $64
  • Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) to Zagreb - Arrival Private Transfer: $16
  • Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) to Zagreb-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
  • From Sarajevo: One-Way Transfer to Zagreb & Plitvice Lakes: $426
  • From Split: Transfer to Zagreb with Stop at Plitvice Lakes: $148
  • From Plitvice Lakes Round-Trip Comfort Bus Transfer: $16
  • From Transfer to Split & Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $159
  • Guided transfer from Zagreb to Split with Plitvice Lakes stop: $151
  • Krka National Park Private Tour from Zagreb with transfer to Sibenik: $269
  • Krka National Park Private Tour from Zagreb with transfer to Zadar: $269
  • Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb - Zagreb Airport: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Zagreb?

Prices for flights to both Zagreb 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
    Zagreb $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb

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

  • Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $74
  • Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $75
  • Croatian cuisine cooking class with Dolac market tour: $136
  • Private Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $144
  • Private Food Tour with Tastings: $173
  • Wine & Food tour of Plešivica near Zagreb: $948

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sochi $112
    Zagreb $13

Tours and Activities in Zagreb

Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
  • Nikola Tesla Technical Museum Ticket: $4.26
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.33
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.39
  • Skip-the-Ticket-Line Museum of Broken Relationships: $7.46
  • Zagreb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket: $9.59
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Zagreb's Old Town: Walking In-App Audio Tour(ENG): $11
  • Small-Group Walking Highlights Tour: $16
  • City Walking Tour w/ Funicular Ride and WW2 Tunnels: $18
  • Self-Guided Zagreb Tour; Sit & Meet - Meet the great Croats: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sochi -
    Zagreb $9.49

Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb

Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Zagreb Pub Crawl: $16
  • Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $32
  • Zagreb Wine Tasting & Jarun Lake Tour: $75
  • Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $197
  • Private Wine Tasting Tour from Zagreb: $206
  • Plesivica Region Wine Tasting Half-day Tour : $271


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


Which is Bigger, Sochi or Zagreb?

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

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 Zagreb in the Summer?

Both Zagreb and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Sochi is around the same temperature as Zagreb in the summer. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Zagreb fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In July, Sochi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zagreb. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sochi 23°C (73°F) 
    Zagreb 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Zagreb in the Autumn?

Both Zagreb and Sochi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

In the autumn, Sochi is a little warmer than Zagreb. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sochi in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. Sochi usually gets more rain in October than Zagreb. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sochi 16°C (60°F) 
    Zagreb 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Zagreb in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Zagreb. Also, many travelers come to Zagreb for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zagreb. In January, Sochi is generally much warmer than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 6°C (44°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sochi usually receives more rain than Zagreb. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sochi 6°C (44°F) 
    Zagreb 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Zagreb in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Zagreb. Also, many visitors come to Zagreb in the spring for the activities around the city.

Sochi is around the same temperature as Zagreb in the spring. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Sochi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sochi usually gets more rain in April than Zagreb. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sochi 13°C (55°F) 
    Zagreb 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Sochi

Sochi Zagreb
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)