Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Bologna?
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 Bologna. 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 Bologna?
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.
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of the northern region of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, with a population of 380,000. It is a historical city known well by Italians, however, not as well known among foreigners. The locals of Bologna speak little to no English. The city is most known for having the oldest university in the West. Another reason many visit this city is because of its exquisite cuisine. Many Italians would consider it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country because of its impeccably preserved historic centers. The best time to visit Bologna is usually between March and October, although bare in mind that July and August can get quite hot.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Bologna $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Bologna is $170. 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 Bologna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Bologna $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Bologna $186
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Bologna
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Bologna? 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.
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 Bologna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Bologna $22
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bologna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
- Bologna Airport: Round Trip Transfer to Venice+Water Taxi: $1,663
- Bologna Airport(BLQ): Roundtrip Transfer to Venice p-le Roma: $1,403
- From Private Venice Day Trip with Transfer: $770
- Siena: Private Round-Trip Transfer from/to Bologna Airport: $690
- Bologna Airport (BLQ): One Way Transfer to Ravenna Port/City: $524
- Tour Ferrari, Lambo, Parmesan, Vinegar, Wine with Transfer: $503
- Bologna:Parmesan, Prosciutto, Balsamic, Wine, Lunch&Transfer: $503
- Ferrari&Lambo, Parmesan, Balsamic, Red wine with Transfer: $497
- Florence: Private Transfer from Bologna Airport (BLQ): $429
- Ferrari, Lambo, Parmesan, Balsamic tour w/Lunch & Transfer: $390
- Bologna Airport(BLQ): 1-Way Transfer to Venice Piazzale Roma: $374
- Ravenna or Cruise Port to Murano + water taxi -RoundTrip Transfer: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Bologna?
Prices for flights to both Bologna 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
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Food Meals for one daySofia $18Bologna $42
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bologna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
- Virtual Cooking Class: Ravioli variations with classic tomato sauce: $35
- Bologna Food Tour including Tagliatelle, Mortadella, Wine: $57
- Bologna Traditional Home Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner: $73
- Exclusive Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $74
- Exclusive Bologna Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $75
- Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal: $80
- Traditional Recipes Cooking Class with Local Wines: $82
- Hands on Home Cooking Class: $84
- Walking Food Tour with a Local Guide: $84
- Tastes and Traditions Food Tour with Market Visit: $84
- Tastes & Traditions of Food Tour with Market Visit: $86
- Bologna traditional food tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $92
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Bologna $41
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bologna
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
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Food Tour (for 2)$34
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Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)$123
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Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2)$72
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National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2)$13
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Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2)$13
Tours and Activities in Bologna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
- the red medieval pearl and its delicious food (private tour): $284
- 2 Hours Bologna Guided Private Tour for Kids and Families : $179
- 2-Hour Bike Tour to Discover Bologna's Squares and Monuments: $147
- 2-Hour Walking Tour Discovering the "Musical" Side of Bologna: $71
- 2.5-hour Bologna City and University Walking Tour: $131
- 3 hours walking tour with tastings: Bologna "La Grassa": $185
- Art and taste tour: from Magnani Rocca to Parma ham: $210
- BOLOGNA FOOD WALKING TOUR (morning or evening PRIVATE tour): $207
- Best of Private & Personalised Walking Experience: $81
- Best walking tour of Bologna: $158
- Bike Tour Bologna: $142
- Bologna - Old Town Private Historic Walking Tour: $374
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Bologna $30
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 Bologna
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
- Modena area: Lambrusco Wine Tasting Experience: $38
- From Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour with the winemaker: $53
- Monte San Pietro: Montevecchio Isolani Tour & Wine Tasting: $53
- Bologna Food & Wine tour with a local Chef: $69
- Wine Tasting Tour in One of the Oldest Inns: $70
- Bologna Wine Tasting in One of the Oldest Inns: $71
- Small-Group Half-Day Wine Tour with Tasting in Dozza Village: $102
- Taste the real Bologna Food and Wine tour: $107
- Wine Tasting Experience with a Local Guide: $118
- Exclusive Italian Wine Tasting: $131
- Food and Wine Tasting Tour in Bologna with a local guide : $138
- Italian Wine Tasting on the Panoramic Terrace in Bologna: $163
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna 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 Bologna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Bologna?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bologna. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Bologna, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.