Which place is cheaper, Bratislava or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Bratislava?
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 Bratislava. 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 Bratislava?
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.
Bratislava
The capital and largest city of Slovakia, Bratislava is set on the shores of the Danube River near the borders of Austria and Hungary. While the city is skirted by mountains and vineyards, its 18th century old town center is crossed with cobbled walkways and surrounded by historic landmarks and architecture. One such monument is the Bratislava Castle, set atop a hill overlooking it all-the old town, the river, and the bustle of people in the charming city below.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovakia, and The Best River Cruises in Slovakia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Bratislava $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Bratislava is $132. 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 Bratislava in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Bratislava $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Bratislava $106
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Bratislava
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Bratislava? 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 Bratislava Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Bratislava $28
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): $46
- Airport Transfer from Sofia Airport: $48
- Sofia Airport Transfers: $49
- Private Transfer from Sofia to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $53
- Be Eco: Sofia Airport Transfer with an Electric Vehicle: $53
- Private Transfer from/to Sofia Airport : $53
- Sofia City Private Transfer to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $53
- Private Transfer from Sofia Airport SOF to Sofia in Business Car: $53
- From Koprivshtitsa & Historic Homes Tour w/ Transfer: $53
- Private Airport Transfer from/to Sofia Bulgaria: $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bratislava
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:
- Bratislava-Budapest One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $293
- Private transfer from Bratislava to Vienna: $261
- Private Transfer from Bratislava to Budapest with 2h of Sightseeing: $201
- Bratislava - Budapest Transfer: $197
- Bratislava Airport BTS to Poprad - Arrival Private Transfer: $168
- Vienna Airport VIE to Bojnice Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $130
- Bratislava Airport (BTS) to Bojnice Resorts - Round Trip Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer From Bratislava To Vienna Airport, 2 Hour Stop: $109
- Private Transfer from Bratislava City to Vienna City: $98
- Bratislava Airport to Turčianske Teplice Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Bratislava Airport BTS to Piestany - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Airport to Hotel Private Transfer Service: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Bratislava?
Prices for flights to both Bratislava 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 $18Bratislava $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sofia
For Sofia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 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: $96
- Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $105
- Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $107
- Sofia by Night: Private Tour with Dinner: $117
- Evening City Tour with Folklore Dinner: $117
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Private Tour with Dinner, Folklore Show: $130
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bratislava
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bratislava.
- Local Beer & Food Tour: $141
- Bratislava Traditional Food Tour: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Bratislava $33
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.61
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $7.86
- Guided Walking Tour of Sofia: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- 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
- Self-Guided Tour in Sofia: $15
- Private Kayak Tour on the Pancharevo Lake: $16
- Communist Walking Tour: $18
- Communist Walking Tour of Sofia: $18
Tours and Activities in Bratislava
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bratislava are as follows:
- Bratislava Premium Private Walking Tour, 4 hours: $222
- Magic Christmas tour in Komarno: $232
- Banska Stiavnica from Bratislava, UNESCO Day Tour: $228
- Beautiful Bratislava Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Beer Factory Tour with Beer Tasting in Banska Bystrica: $157
- Bratislava - Bike Tour: $53
- Bratislava - Grand City Tour: $84
- Bratislava Big Castle Tour by Presporacik: $18
- Bratislava Brunch Tour: $92
- Bratislava Card with Public Transport Option & Walking Tour: $25
- Bratislava Castle: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $9.32
- Bratislava City Private Walking Tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Bratislava $20
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: $19
- Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $33
- Sofia Bar Crawl: $53
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $59
- Sofia Exquisite Wine Tasting: $75
- 1-Hour Private Cheese and Wine Tasting in Sofia : $86
- Private Sofia Tour with Wine Tasting: $107
- Private Sofia City Tour with Wine Tasting: $108
- Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia: $114
- Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting: $119
Sample the Local Flavors in Bratislava
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:
- Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
- Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
- Wine Tasting with Sommelier in Bratislava: $14
- Wine Tasting with Sommelier: $15
- Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $16
- Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $16
- Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting: $103
- Devin Castle Tour with Currant Wine Tasting: $143
- Devin Castle Tour with Wine Tasting: $157
- Bratislava Food and Wine Tour: $179
- Small Carpathian Wine Tasting and Red Stone Castle Tour: $190
- Little Carpathian Wine Tour: $199
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Bratislava, we can see that Bratislava 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 Bratislava would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bratislava 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 Bratislava Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Bratislava?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bratislava. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Bratislava, 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.