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

Should you visit Sofia or Bamberg?

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 Bamberg. 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 Bamberg?

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.

Bamberg

Amidst the rolling green hills and clear blue skies, you find yourself in a town that holds a certain magic in the air that leaves you in an intoxicated languor. Quaint, picturesque, charming - from its medieval and baroque architecture to its breathtaking gardens, the romantic flair of Bamberg, Germany is simply spell-binding. One of Europe's largest intact old town centers, Bamberg is located in northern Bavaria, established over 7 hills where the rivers of the Regnitz and Main conjoin. Preserving structures from the 11th to 19th centuries, Bamberg was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. The town is filled to the brim with arts and culture, holding the world-renowned Bamberg Symphony Orchestra as well as such festivities as the international magician and street performers' festival. A gorgeous countryside town, Bamberg also provides its guests with many metropolitan amenities such as restaurants, cafes, malls, and antique shops. Whether it be beer gardens or nature parks, Bamberg has it all!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, and The Best Cultural Tours in Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Bamberg 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 Bamberg is $136. 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 Bamberg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $40
    Bamberg $80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $80
    Bamberg $160
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Bamberg

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Bamberg? 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 Bamberg


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 Bamberg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $8.38
    Bamberg $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia

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

  • Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $19
  • Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $31
  • Private Transfer: Sofia to Sofia Airport (SOF): $47
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia HTL-APT (SOF): $48
  • Airport Transfer from Sofia Airport: $49
  • From Koprivshtitsa & Historic Homes Tour w/ Transfer: $53
  • Be Eco: Sofia Airport Transfer with an Electric Vehicle: $54
  • Sofia Airport SOF Private Transfer to Sofia City in Business Car: $54
  • Private Transfer from Sofia Airport SOF to Sofia in Business Car: $54
  • Private Airport Transfer from/to Sofia Bulgaria: $55
  • Private Departure Transfer from Sunny Beach to Burgas Airport: $66
  • Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Bamberg?

Prices for flights to both Bamberg 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
    Bamberg $44

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $5.92
    Bamberg $18

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 Bamberg

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

  • Bamberg Countryside Breweries Beer Hike Food Experience (departs Bamberg): $281
  • Bamberg Crime-Trail: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Bamberg Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $240
  • 1-Hour Theatrical Humor Tour with Costumed Guide: $19
  • Altenburg Burg Tour: $14
  • Bar & Club Tour with free drinks & VIP entry: $31
  • City Highlights Walking Tour: $13
  • Guided Beer History Tour with Optional Tasting: $16
  • Guided Historical Culinary Tour: $27
  • Guided Tour of the Gardeners' District: $17
  • Guided Walking Tour: $14
  • Historical Museum Entry Ticket: $8.56

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $8.39
    Bamberg $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

Sample the Local Flavors in Bamberg

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bamberg:

  • Historical City Tour in German with Brewery Visit: $17
  • Beer & Brewery Tour - 2 Hour: $37


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


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Bamberg?

Sofia has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bamberg. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Bamberg, 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.