Which place is cheaper, Ljubljana or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Ljubljana?
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 Ljubljana. 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 Ljubljana?
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.
Ljubljana
Most people don't travel to Ljubljana to see specific sights, as there aren't many famous attractions around town. Instead, this is a city that is about atmosphere. It's a city that you explore and immerse yourself in completely. You meet the people, you go to the clubs, you find the interesting restaurants. That is the best way to learn about Ljubljana.
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 from Ljubljana, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Ljubljana $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Ljubljana is $94. 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 Ljubljana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Ljubljana $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Ljubljana $116
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Ljubljana
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Ljubljana? 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 Ljubljana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Ljubljana $23
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ljubljana
Also for Ljubljana, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Ljubljana: $522
- Private Transfer from Ljubljana to Rovinj: $490
- Guided Truffle Hunting Tour with Hotel Transfers: $373
- Private transfer from Ljubljana city to Ptuj: $286
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Kostanjevica na Krki: $259
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Krško: $255
- Private Transfer from Ljubljana Airport (LJU) to Maribor: $254
- Private transfer from Ljubljana city to Maribor: $252
- Private Transfer from Ljubljana Airport (LJU) to Izola: $244
- Private transfer from Ljubljana city to Portoroz: $237
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Ilirska Bistrica: $237
- Private transfer from Ljubljana city to Izola: $224
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Ljubljana?
Prices for flights to both Ljubljana 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 $18Ljubljana $18
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 Ljubljana
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ljubljana:
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Horsemeat Hot Dog$2.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ljubljana
For Ljubljana, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Slovenia: Belokranjska Pogača Cooking Class: $53
- Cooking class; Traditional sLOVEnian štrukelj: $64
- Traditional Slovenian Dinner and Show: $64
- sLOVEnian Strukelj Traditional Cooking Class: $65
- Traditional Slovenian Dinner and Performance: $74
- Flavour of Slovenia: Very Small Group Food Tour in Ljubljana: $81
- Dinner in the Dark: $86
- 3-Hour Food Tour: $91
- Dinner in the Dark: $105
- Šmarna Gora: Hiking and Food Tour from Ljubljana: $128
- The 10 Tastings of Ljubljana Private Food Tour : $208
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Ljubljana $16
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 Ljubljana
For Ljubljana, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Castle Tower Entrance (for 2)$8.67
Tours and Activities in Ljubljana
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ljubljana.
- Škocjan Caves, Rakov Škocjan & Marshes Tour (Slovenian underground): $151
- 4 Hours Private Ljubljana Walking Tour: $163
- 4-hour Bike Tour Ljubljana: $86
- 8-Hour Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj and Waterfall Savica Tour: $87
- Axe Throwing Experience in Ljubljana: $36
- Best of Private tour with Ljubljana born guide: $160
- Broken Bones Gin Experience: $37
- City Tour of Ljubljana: $173
- Discover the land of green gold - Private tour from Ljubljana: $276
- E-bike tour Bled: $130
- E-bike tour Velika Planina: $119
- Experience a day full of the beauty of Ljubljana, Slovenia: $52
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Ljubljana $12
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ljubljana
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ljubljana are as follows:
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Drinks at a Sidewalk Cafe (for 2)$6.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Ljubljana
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ljubljana:
- Wine Tasting Ljubljana: $59
- 2-Hour Interactive Wine Tasting Experience in Ljubljana: $63
- Brunch and Wine Tasting at a Sommelier's Kitchen Table: $69
- Food & Wine tour with a Sommelier: $93
- Food & Wine Tour Ljubljana - Local Foodie Adventure in Slovenia: $96
- Private Family-Owned Vineyard Wine Tasting Trip: $144
- From Ljubjana: Slovenian Wine Tour: $191
- Wine Tours in Slovenia: $216
- Wine Tour Slovenia: $259
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Ljubljana, we can see that Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Ljubljana?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ljubljana. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Ljubljana, 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.