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

Should you visit Sofia or Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux?

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.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is the place to go for fine wines. It's a very mellow, cultural city where you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a quaint cafe or restaurant without being rushed. The city is the capital of Gironde, and the entire metropolitan area has over one million residents. The city also has a rather large and vibrant university and the population is known to be very tolerant and liberal. There is a very strong artistic vibe in the city and, due to it's history of English rule, there is an English flair to the area. The large student population means that there is no shortage of opportunities to see shows, hear music, or visit a museum.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux is $127. 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 Bordeaux in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $40
    Bordeaux $68
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $80
    Bordeaux $136
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Bordeaux

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Bordeaux? 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 Bordeaux


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 Bordeaux Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $8.38
    Bordeaux $17

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bordeaux

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bordeaux:

  • Airport to Lège-Cap-Ferret Transfer in Business Sedan: $273
  • Airport to Bordeaux Premium Class Private Transfer: $273
  • Private Transfer from Airport to Bordeaux City: $165
  • Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Premium Class: $147
  • Arrival Private Transfer Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Van: $115
  • Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Business Sedan: $108
  • Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $108
  • Departure Private Transfers : Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $108
  • Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Business Car: $103
  • Arrival Private Transfers : Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Business Car: $103
  • Private Transfer Bordeaux City to Bordeaux Airport BOD by Car: $97
  • Transfer Airport, Hotel, Station and others places: $96

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Bordeaux?

Prices for flights to both Bordeaux 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
    Bordeaux $49

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 Bordeaux

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

  • No Diet Club : Bordeaux Food Tour in Les Chartrons !: $63
  • Bordeaux - sweet food tour of the old city: $63
  • NO DIET CLUB - Unique food tour in Bordeaux !: $64
  • 2-Hour River Dinner Cruise: $74
  • Sweet Specialties Tasting Bakeries Food Tour: $82
  • Bordeaux : Afternoon Food Tour by a local guide: $84
  • Bordeaux Organic Food Tour - French Apéro Style: $93
  • Bordeaux : unforgettable Food Tour by a local guide: $95
  • Private Bakery, Chocolate & Patisserie Food Tour: $95
  • Food Tour in Bordeaux : $97
  • Bordeaux Food Tour - Bakeries, Pastries, Chocolate and more!: $98
  • Bordeaux Traditional Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $103

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $5.92
    Bordeaux $8.46

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 Bordeaux

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

  • "Bordeaux by bicycle: a 3-hour tour immersive experience": $39
  • "Explore Saint-Émilion on e-Bikes: Small Group, Full-Day Tour": $196
  • 1-Hour Bordeaux Electric Scooter Tour: $27
  • 2 hours - Bordeaux Private tour with a native guide: $164
  • 4 Hours Gastronomic Tour in Bordeaux the Sandwiches of the World: $64
  • Aperitive guided cruise « Wine and Canelé »: $20
  • Blind Tasting: 5 Bordeaux Natural Wine + Cheese experience: $53
  • Bordeaux - Private Historic Walking Tour: $459
  • Bordeaux : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.13
  • Bordeaux : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $75
  • Bordeaux Bike Tour - Private: $217
  • Bordeaux Christmas Market Tour: $307

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $8.39
    Bordeaux $28

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 Bordeaux

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

  • Wine and Trade Museum Entry Ticket & Wine Tasting: $11
  • Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum Admission Ticket with Wine Tasting: $11
  • Distillery Tour in Bordeaux with Spirits Tasting: $16
  • Wine Tasting Cruise: $22
  • Cité du Vin Direct Ticket and Wine Tasting: $24
  • Bordeaux Pub Crawl: $25
  • Taillan-Médoc: Château Visit and Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: $27
  • Wine Tour and Tasting: $29
  • Unusual Wine Tasting Experience - Wood & Wine: $30
  • Discover Bordeaux vineyard : special wine tasting with two cellar men brothers: $32
  • Wine Country Vineyards Tour w/ Local Wine Tastings: $59
  • Bordeaux Vineyards Wine Tasting Half-Day Trip: $62


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


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Bordeaux?

Sofia has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Bordeaux, 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.