Which place is cheaper, Genoa or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Genoa?
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 Genoa. 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 Genoa?
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.
Genoa
Located on the coast of northwest Italy, Genoa is a port city and capital of the Liguria region. With a long history as a rich and powerful trade center, Genoa's past of many centuries is still visible in its old port, stunning architecture, and charming alleyways. A traveler can spend days walking along seaside villas, admiring towering churches, and shopping the boutiques of the city. Genoa is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, featuring what is thought to be his birth home and many other quaint abodes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Genoa $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Genoa is $160. 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 Genoa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Genoa $95
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Genoa $190
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Genoa
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Genoa? 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 Genoa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Genoa $9.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sofia to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $687
- From Private Transfer to Bucharest: $448
- Private Transfer from Sofia to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $292
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Sozopol: $292
- Private Transfer from Sofia to Varna (VAR) Airport: $273
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Kavala: $237
- Private Transfer Bucharest to/from Sofia: $224
- Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko: $195
- Transfer from Sofia to Stara Zagora: $194
- Transfer from Sofia to Pamporovo: $191
- VIP Transfer from Sofia to Bansko: $186
- Bansko Transfer from/to Sofia Airport: $175
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Genoa
Also for Genoa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Genova : Private Transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $599
- Private Direct Transfer From Genoa to Nice, En Speaking Driver: $271
- Private Transfer From Genoa to Milan English Speaking Driver: $249
- Genoa to Milan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $229
- Genoa Airport (GOA) to Milan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $222
- From Genoa to Florence Hotels - Private Transfer: $145
- Genoa to Malpensa Milan Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer : $131
- Private Transfer from/to Genoa to/from Portofino: $123
- Private transfer from Genoa to Portofino with Hotel or Cruise Port pick-up: $120
- Savona Cruise Port to Genoa hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $118
- Genoa airport (GOA) to Savona Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $118
- Genoa to Milan - Arrival Private Transfer: $115
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Genoa?
Prices for flights to both Genoa 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 $18Genoa $55
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 Genoa
For Genoa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Genoese cooking lesson in the garden with lunch: $68
- Genoa Old town Food Tour: $74
- Itinerant dinner in the old town: $75
- Street Food Tour: $84
- Do Eat Better Experience - Food Tours in Genoa: $86
- Traditional Food Tour: $91
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Camogli: $93
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Savona: $93
- Dining experience with cooking demo and wines in Rapallo: $93
- Traditional Home Cooking Class in Genoa: $93
- Tour of Genoa historic center and wine tasting with dinner: $93
- Small-group Street food tour in Savona: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Genoa $21
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
- Mount Verila Cultural Tour in Bulgaria: $93
- Private Tour from Sofia to the Rila monatsery: $109
- 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave: $86
- 3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia: $82
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Small Group Day tour from Sofia: $93
- 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: $108
- Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $59
- Afternoon Delights in Sofia Tour: $75
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $59
Tours and Activities in Genoa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Genoa.
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour from Via Del Campo 29 Rosso: $82
- 2 Hours Private Historical Tour in Genoa: $104
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour of Genoa from the Cruise Terminal: $240
- Aquarium of Genoa + Panera Ice Cream Taste experience: $32
- Aquarium of Genoa Ticket and Whale Watching Cruise: $70
- Aquarium of Entry Ticket and Aperitif: $31
- Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Genoa: $152
- Cesarine: Small Group Market tour and Dining Experience in Genoa: $141
- City Sightseeing Genoa Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $27
- Departure by Private Car from Genoa City to Genoa Cruise Port: $44
- Discover Genoa, old town walking tour: $131
- E-bike tour in Genova: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Genoa $11
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 Genoa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Genoa:
- Guided Eco Hiking and Sea View Wine Tasting in Portofino Park: $75
- 3 Hour Pesto Making and Wine Tasting Activity in Campetto Genoa: $105
- CAMOGLI: PRIVATE Ligurian Wine Tasting Experience and walking on National Park: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Genoa, we can see that Genoa 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 Genoa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Genoa 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 Genoa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Genoa?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Genoa. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Genoa, 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.