A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sofia vs. Amalfi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sofia or Amalfi?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Sofia and Amalfi. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Sofia or Amalfi?

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.

Amalfi

The town of Amalfi is at the heart of the Amalfi Coast, a region of Italy known for dramatic coastline, ritzy hotels, delicious food, and warm weather. Amalfi was the capital of a small republic in the middle ages known as the Duchy of Amalfi, when it dominated the seas by trade and power. Later, in the early 20th century, the town and the region became known as a place where wealthy travelers would spend their vacations.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Amalfi or Sofia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Amalfi is $215. 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 Sofia and Amalfi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $40
    Amalfi $105
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $80
    Amalfi $210
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Amalfi

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Amalfi? 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 Sofia


Hotels in Amalfi


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: Sofia Hotel Prices and Amalfi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $8.38
    Amalfi $72

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia

Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer from Sofia Airport: $49
  • Airport Transfers in Bulgaria: $66
  • Arrival Transfer: Sofia Airport SOF to Sofia in Luxury Van: $75
  • Bansko Transfer from/to Sofia Airport: $175
  • Be Eco: Sofia Airport Transfer with an Electric Vehicle: $54
  • Borovets Transfers from/to Sofia Airport: $104
  • Departure Transfer: Sofia to Sofia Airport SOF in Luxury Van: $75
  • From Bansko Transfer with Rila Monastery Visit: $128
  • From Koprivshtitsa & Historic Homes Tour w/ Transfer: $53
  • From Plovdiv Day Tour with Transfer: $71
  • From Private Transfer to Bucharest: $448
  • From Private Transfer to Plovdiv: $96

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amalfi

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amalfi:


  • Bus
    $4.29
  • Train to Naples
    $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amalfi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amalfi:

  • From Amalfi Coast: Transfer to Naples with Pompeii Tour: $388
  • Private transfer from Salerno to Positano or vice versa: $292
  • Private Transfer from Amalfi to Naples Airport ,Naples station: $251
  • Mount Vesuvio Organic Wine Tasting & Lunch with Transfer from Amalfi Coast: $240
  • Departure Private Transfer Amalfi to Fiumucino Rome Airport (FCO): $224
  • Private transfer from Salerno to Amalfi: $219
  • Transfer from Amalfi Caost everywhere to Naples area: $216
  • Transfer Amalfi - Naples: $207
  • Private Transfer - Amalfi to Naples with 2h of Sightseeing: Vesuvius or Pompeii: $197
  • Transfer from Amalfi Coast to Sorrento or back: $186
  • Transfer from and to Naples (city, train station, airport) From Amalfi Coast: $186
  • Amalfi to Naples airport/station Private departure transfer: $176

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Amalfi?

Prices for flights to both Amalfi and Sofia 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
    Sofia $18
    Amalfi $67

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sofia

For Sofia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Market Food Tour: $47
  • 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: $106
  • Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $108
  • Sofia by Night: Private Tour with Dinner: $118
  • Evening City Tour with Folklore Dinner: $118
  • Sofia by Night Panoramic Private Tour with Dinner, Folklore Show: $131

Typical Food Prices in Amalfi

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amalfi:


  • Dinner
    $38
  • Snacks
    $4.29
  • Bread
    $1.07
  • Dinner
    $44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amalfi

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

  • OnLine Genuine Cooking Class: $74
  • Amalfi Coast: Mozzarella, Pasta, and Tiramisu Cooking Class: $80
  • Cooking Class on the Amalfi Coast with Tasting Included: $87
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Salerno with Show Cooking: $93
  • Small-group Street food tour in Cava de' Tirreni: $97
  • Pizza Napoletana Cooking Class and Dinner in Scafati: $104
  • Italian cooking class and lunch near the Pompeii excavations: $114
  • Amalfi Coast Home Cooking Class with Meal & Drinks Included: $134
  • Genuine Home Cooking Class + Olive Oil Tasting: $139
  • Cooking Class and Farmhouse Visit With Meal: $148
  • Hands-on Cooking Class & Farmhouse visit in the Amalfi Coast: $152
  • Private cooking class with lunch or dinner in Vietri sul Mare: $158

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $5.92
    Amalfi $29

Tours and Activities in Sofia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.

  • Audio Guided Museum Paleontology and Historical Geology Ticket: $3.82
  • Rila Monastery: Monastery & Museums Self-Guided Audio Tour 7 lang: $5.46
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.61
  • Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
  • Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Self-guided Tour in the Museum of Socialist Art: $7.87
  • Guided Walking Tour of Sofia: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Audio Guide for All Sofia Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $12
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Sofia Audio guide Tour offers available in 7 languages: $14
  • Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia: $15

Tours and Activities in Amalfi

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

  • 2-Hour Tour to Amalfi and Atrani, Among the Labyrinths In Fuga dai Pirati: $64
  • 4 Hour Cruise Tour of the Amalfi Coast with Aperitif: $49
  • 4-hour boat tour of the Amalfi Coast: $148
  • Amalfi & Atrani: 2-Hour Private Walking Tour: $158
  • Amalfi Coast - Maiori: Path of Lemons, Tour with Tasting: $55
  • Amalfi Coast Boat Tour small group with Aperitif: $272
  • Amalfi Coast Boat tour Small Group: $169
  • Amalfi Coast Kayak & Snorkeling Tour to the Pandora's Cave : $75
  • Amalfi Coast Kayak Tour along Arches, Beaches and Sea Caves: $75
  • Amalfi Coast Path of the Lemon private walking tour: $127
  • Amalfi Coast Sunset Boat Tour in Small Group: $97
  • Amalfi Coast Swim Experience with Lifeguard: $93

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $8.39
    Amalfi $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:

  • Sofia Pub Crawl - Party Tour of Sofia's Best Bars & Clubs: $16
  • Sofia's Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl: $19
  • Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars: $20
  • Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $33
  • Sofia Bar Crawl: $54
  • 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: $107
  • Private Sofia City Tour with Wine Tasting: $109
  • Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia: $115
  • Koprivshtitsa and Starosel Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $139

Typical Alcohol Prices in Amalfi

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Amalfi from other travelers:


  • Wine
    $6.43

Sample the Local Flavors in Amalfi

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

  • Wine Tasting Cantina Basileo: $66
  • Wine tasting at the Apicella winery: $71
  • Wine Tasting and excursion to the Mt. Vesuvius from Pompeii: $93
  • Positano: Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with a Sommelier: $101
  • Half-Day Irpinia Wine Tour from SALERNO: $142
  • Wine Tasting at Basileo Cellar with Lunch: $169
  • Wine Tour (lunch included): $197
  • Exploring a Cilento village by e-bike with wine tasting: $211
  • Mount Vesuvius & Wine Tasting with Lunch Private Tour: $252
  • Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Wine Tasting Private Tour from Amalfi: $273
  • From Positano: Pompeii, Vesuvius, & Wine Tasting with Lunch: $275
  • Amalfi Coast: Pompeii, Vesuvius, & Wine Tasting with Lunch: $285


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


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Amalfi?

Sofia has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Amalfi, 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.