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

Should you visit Sofia or Marrakech?

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 Marrakech. 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 Marrakech?

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.

Marrakech

Marrakech is on of the most popular travel destinations in Morocco. It is the third largest city in Morocco after Casablanca and Rabat and is located near the foothills of the Atlas Mountains only a few hours from the Sahara Desert. It's a beautiful city that is often referred to as the "Pink City" because of the pale pink color of many of the city's buildings. These striking colors make the city particularly beautiful during the evening hours when the low sun creates a very dramatic lighting.

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 in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Sofia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $65, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $68. 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 Marrakech in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $41
    Marrakech $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $82
    Marrakech $92
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Marrakech

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Marrakech? 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 Marrakech


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 Marrakech Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $8.47
    Marrakech $6.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia

Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $66
  • Transfer from Sofia to Stara Zagora: $195
  • Transfer from Sofia to Pamporovo: $192
  • Transfer from Sofia to Burgas: $269
  • Transfer from Sofia to Borovets: $83
  • Transfer from Sofia to Bansko: $132
  • Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $19
  • Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko: $196
  • Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $31
  • Sofia to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $692
  • Sofia Airport SOF Private Transfer to Sofia City in Business Car: $54
  • Private transfer: Sofia Airport (SOF) to Sofia: $47

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer From Marrakech To Fez: $446
  • One way transfer from Fes to Marrakech: $362
  • Private Transfer between Marrakech and Casablanca: $311
  • City to City Transfer - Marrakesh > Merzouga: $300
  • Agadir private transfer from Ouirgane to Agadir airport (AGA): $290
  • Transfer Marrakech to Tangier: $286
  • Private Premium Transfert From / To Marrakech To / From Tangier: $284
  • Private Transfer From Casablanca to Marrakesh: $279
  • Transfert Departure Marrakech City to Casablanca Airport: $265
  • Private Transfer from Marrakech Menara (RAK) Airport to Taroudant: $255
  • Essaouira Day Trip From Marrakech With Private Transfers: $253
  • Private Premium Transfert From / To Marrakech To / From Meknes: $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Marrakech?

Prices for flights to both Marrakech 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
    Marrakech $13

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
  • Half-Day Sofia Evening Walking Tour with Vegetarian Dinner: $49
  • Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $98
  • Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $107
  • Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $109
  • Guided Night Tour & Folklore Performance with Dinner: $118
  • 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: $132

Typical Food Prices in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Orange Juice on the Square
    $0.30
  • Breakfast
    $1.19
  • Dates
    $0.60
  • Olives
    $0.89
  • Sandwich
    $1.29
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride and Dinner from Marrakech: $15
  • Cooking Lesson at the Ouirgane Ecolodge with Lunch: $19
  • Dinner in Agafay desert from Marrakech & camel riding: $19
  • Restaurant Dinner Experience with Hotel Pickup: $21
  • Dinner and show in Desert Agafay with Quad bike & Camel ride: $22
  • Sunset in Agafay: Dinner, Camel, Quad-Book Adventure with Viator: $22
  • Agafay desert Sunset Camel ride with Dinner Show: $23
  • Magical Dinner & Agafay Desert ,Under The Stars: $24
  • Marrakech Amazing Dinner Show in Agafay Desert, Sunset Camel Ride: $24
  • Dinner Experience in a Moroccan Restaurant with transfer: $24
  • Moroccan Cooking Class with a Local Chef: $24
  • From Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner with Live Show: $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $5.98
    Marrakech $6.99

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: $120
  • Mount Verila Cultural Tour in Bulgaria: $93
  • Private Tour from Sofia to the Rila monatsery: $110
  • 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave: $87
  • 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: $99
  • Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia: $15
  • Adventure Tour to Plovdiv and Rhodope Mountain: $109
  • Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $59
  • Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $60
  • Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $59

Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Palace Tickets
    $1.99
  • Golf at Atlas Golf
    $56

Tours and Activities in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 10 Hours tour from marrakech to ouarzazate: $44
  • 3 Day Private Desert Tour From Marrakech To Merzouga Dunes With Camel Trek: $274
  • 3 Days Tour - Marrakech To Fez via Sahara Desert Erg chebbi: $207
  • Agafay Desert: Three Valley Guided Tour From Marrakech : $21
  • Atlas Mountains &Berber family & berber village experience : $90
  • Atlas Mountains Horseback Ride Day Tour From Marrakech : $50
  • Atlas Mountains, Berber Villages & Waterfall Tour: $25
  • Best Marrakech Private walking tour: $44
  • Desert Agafay & Berber Villages Day Tour From Marrakech including Camel Ride: $49
  • Desert Thrills: Quad Biking Adventures in Palmeraie Marrakech: $44
  • Desert tour small group with luxury tent: $98
  • Experience Moroccan Hammam and Massage: $71

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $8.48
    Marrakech $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: $20
  • Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $33
  • Sofia Bar Crawl: $54
  • Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $59
  • Sofia Exquisite Wine Tasting: $76
  • 1-Hour Private Cheese and Wine Tasting in Sofia : $87
  • Private Sofia Tour with Wine Tasting: $108
  • Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia: $115
  • Private Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Sofia: $120
  • Koprivshtitsa and Starosel Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $140


When comparing the travel costs between Sofia and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Sofia is in Europe and Marrakech is in Africa, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sofia Expensive? and Is Marrakech Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Marrakech?

Sofia has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Marrakech, 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.