Which place is cheaper, Dubrovnik or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Dubrovnik?
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 Dubrovnik. 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 Dubrovnik?
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.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Dubrovnik $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Dubrovnik is $103. 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 Dubrovnik in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Dubrovnik $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Dubrovnik $106
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Dubrovnik
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Dubrovnik? 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 Dubrovnik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Dubrovnik $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sofia to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $685
- From Private Transfer to Bucharest: $446
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Varna: $298
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Golden Sands: $298
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Bucharest: $298
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Sunny Beach: $289
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Sozopol: $289
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Sveti Vlas: $289
- Private Transfer from Sofia to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $289
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Burgas: $280
- Transfer from Sofia to Burgas: $266
- Bansko Transfer From/to Sofia Airport and Hotels: $260
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:
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Bus Around Town$1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik
Also for Dubrovnik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Split or Trogir: Private Transfer to Dubrovnik City: $586
- Private Transfer from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo: $556
- Private Transfer from Dubrovnik to Podgorica: $540
- Private Transfer to Split with Oyster Tasting: $533
- Private transfer from Split to Dubrovnik - door to door: $533
- Dubrovnik to Split 1-Way Private Transfer: $450
- Private Transfer from Dubrovnik to Mostar: $450
- Private Transfer to Dubrovnik from Split with stop options: $426
- Private Transfer from Dubrovnik to Budva: $390
- One Way Private Transfer from Dubrovnik to Split: $371
- One Way Private Transfer from Split to Dubrovnik: $371
- Private Transfer From Split to Dubrovnik In Luxury Vehicles: $352
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Dubrovnik?
Prices for flights to both Dubrovnik 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 $18Dubrovnik $35
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
Typical Food Prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:
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Seafood Dinner (for 2)$31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset Dinner Cruise around the Old Town: $80
- Secrets of traditional Dalmatian cuisine with a cooking class: $128
- Old Town Food Tour: $143
- Dubrovnik Old Town Food Tour: Small-Group Experience: $147
- Konavle Wine& History&food Tour: $165
- Cooking Classes Traditional Meals of Konavle region: $178
- Traditional Dalmatian Cooking Class from Dubrovnik: $197
- Traditional Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside: $202
- Pelješac Full-Day Wine and Food Tour from Dubrovnik: $208
- Authentic Garden to Table Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside : $208
- Private Dinner with Wine and Homemade Tapas: $213
- Dubrovnik Food Tour with Friendly Local Guide: $229
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Dubrovnik $20
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: $98
- Private Tour from Sofia to the Rila monatsery: $108
- 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave: $86
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Small Group Day tour from Sofia: $92
- 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery day tour from Sofia: $98
- Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia: $15
- Adventure Tour to Plovdiv and Rhodope Mountain: $107
- Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $59
- Afternoon Delights in Sofia Tour: $75
- Archaeological tour-From the Neolithic to Modern times in Augusta Trayana: $107
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $59
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)$14
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Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)$56
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Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)$48
Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.
- MONTENEGRO TOUR from Dubrovnik: $104
- 'Game of Thrones' Walking Tour in Dubrovnik: $58
- 1 Hour Shared Dubrovnik Guided Walking Tour : $26
- 1.5-Hour Walking Tour of Dubrovnik's Old Town: $20
- 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Mlini: $22
- 3-Hour Dubrovnik Countryside ATV/Quad Safari Adventure Tour: $108
- 3-Hour Private Fort Lovrijenac and City Walls Tour with a Local Guide: $44
- 4 Hours Caves, Snorkeling and Swimming Tour in Dubrovnik: $85
- Adventure Dubrovnik - Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling Tour: $33
- Adventure Park Cadmos Village from Dubrovnik: $65
- Afternoon Sea Kayaking Tour With a Local Guide: $38
- Aphrodisiac Experience in Mali Ston: Private Tour: $554
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Dubrovnik $15
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 Dubrovnik
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:
- Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $49
- Brewery Tour with Food included: $60
- From Korcula Island Tour with Wine Tasting: $66
- Half-Day Wine Tasting with Snacks and Ston Place Visit: $75
- Ston and Korcula Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $75
- Interactive Wine Tour: $80
- Konavle Valley Wine Tour from Dubrovnik with Train Ride and Wine Tasting: $84
- Day trip to Korčula and Pelješac with Wine Tasting: $84
- Interactive Wine Tour in Dubrovnik: $89
- Dubrovnik Kayak Tour + Gourmet Snack + Wine Tasting (Small-Group): $97
- Korcula & Peljesac Wine Tasting Group Tour from Dubrovnik: $104
- From Half-Day Wine Tasting and Cavtat City Tour: $108
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Dubrovnik, we can see that Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Dubrovnik?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Dubrovnik, 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.