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

Should you visit Sofia or Atlanta?

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 Atlanta. 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 Atlanta?

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.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a city rich in history but modern in its development and industry. It has a population of just under 500,000 with more than five million people living in the metropolitan area. It is also the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States The city is rich in culture and was at the center of the civil rights movement. It is the capital of the state of Georgia, and was home to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. It has the world's busiest airport and arguably some of the country's worst traffic, but the residents are recognized for their friendly and welcoming nature and the city is lush with green trees and wonderful parks.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Atlanta or Sofia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $65, while the average daily cost in Atlanta is $173. 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 Atlanta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $41
    Atlanta $90
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $82
    Atlanta $180
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Atlanta

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Atlanta? 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 Atlanta


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 Atlanta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $8.47
    Atlanta $44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia

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

  • Sofia to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $692
  • From Private Transfer to Bucharest: $451
  • Private Transfer from Sofia to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $293
  • Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Sunny Beach: $293
  • Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Sveti Vlas: $293
  • Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Burgas: $283
  • Transfer from Sofia to Burgas: $269
  • Bansko Transfer From/to Sofia Airport and Hotels: $263
  • Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Thessaloniki: $256
  • Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Kavala: $238
  • Private Transfer Bucharest to/from Sofia: $226
  • Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko: $196

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Atlanta

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:


  • MARTA Subway Ticket
    $4.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlanta

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

  • Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL):Transfer to Atlanta: $280
  • Atlanta Airport (ATL) to Atlanta - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $214
  • Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL) to Atlanta - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $194
  • RoundTrip Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from-to Airport-Atlanta Downtown: $133
  • Departure Transfer: Atlanta to Atlanta Airport ATL in Luxury SUV: $133
  • Arrival Transfer: Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta in Luxury SUV: $133
  • Departure Transfer: Atlanta to Atlanta Airport ATL by Luxury SUV: $127
  • Private Transfer: H. J. Airport ATL to Atlanta in Business Car: $119
  • Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL) to Atlanta - Arrival Private Transfer: $97
  • Atlanta to Atlanta Airport (ATL) Departure Private Transfer: $97
  • Private Transfer from Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Atlanta City: $94
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Atlanta Airport (ATL): $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Atlanta?

Prices for flights to both Atlanta 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
    Atlanta $43

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
  • Half-Day Sofia Evening Walking Tour with Vegetarian Dinner: $49
  • Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $98
  • Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $107
  • Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $109
  • Guided Night Tour & Folklore Performance with Dinner: $118
  • 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: $132

Typical Food Prices in Atlanta

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:


  • Fast Food Lunch (for 2)
    $15
  • Lunch
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Atlanta

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

  • 2 Hour Guided Wood Fired Pizza Class in Atlanta: $55
  • City Lights Atlanta Night-Time Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $65
  • City Lights Night Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $65
  • 2 Hour Historic Market Food Tour and Hands-On Biscuit Class: $70
  • Historic Market Food Tour and Biscuit Cooking Class: $70
  • Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour: $99
  • Food Tour of Inman Park and the Atlanta Beltline: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $5.98
    Atlanta $56

Tours and Activities in Sofia

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

  • Belogradchik Rocks & Venetsa cave/Small group bigger experience: $120
  • Mount Verila Cultural Tour in Bulgaria: $93
  • Private Tour from Sofia to the Rila monatsery: $110
  • 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave: $87
  • 3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia: $82
  • 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Small Group Day tour from Sofia: $93
  • 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery day tour from Sofia: $99
  • Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia: $15
  • Adventure Tour to Plovdiv and Rhodope Mountain: $109
  • Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $59
  • Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $60
  • Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $59

Tours and Activities in Atlanta

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

  • 2-Hour Food, History and Street Art Tour of Ponce City Market: $95
  • 2.5hr Guided Segway Tour of Historic Atlanta: $69
  • 2.5hr Guided Segway Tour of Midtown Atlanta: $69
  • 3-Hour Atlanta Beltline Food, Street Art and History Tour : $99
  • 3-Hour Private Atlanta MCU Comics Inspired Film Location Tour: $175
  • 90-Minute Guided Sightseeing Tour by E-Car or MiniBus: $36
  • 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Trolley Tour in Atlanta: $36
  • African American Atlanta Culture Tour by Private Car Service : $90
  • African-American Heritage&Civil Rights Atlanta Half-Day Tour: $660
  • Atlanta 5 Hour City Tour by Air-Conditioned Bus: $70
  • Atlanta Beltline Cocktails and Bites Experience: $129
  • Atlanta Electric Car City Tour: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $8.48
    Atlanta $17

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: $76
  • 1-Hour Private Cheese and Wine Tasting in Sofia : $87
  • Private Sofia Tour with Wine Tasting: $108
  • Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia: $115
  • Private Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Sofia: $120
  • Koprivshtitsa and Starosel Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $140

Sample the Local Flavors in Atlanta

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

  • Drag Queen Guided Pub Crawl and Cabaret Show: $36
  • ATLANTA Yes, Queen! Drag Queen Pub Crawl : $40
  • Half-Day Wine Tastings in the North Georgia Mountains : $115
  • North Georgia Mountains Two Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $137
  • Bartram Trail Hike plus Wine Tasting: $159
  • North Georgia Mountains Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $165
  • North Georgia Mountains Private Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $180


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Atlanta, we can see that Atlanta is more expensive. And not only is Sofia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sofia is in Europe and Atlanta is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Atlanta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlanta 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 Atlanta Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Atlanta?

Sofia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Atlanta. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Atlanta, 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.