Which place is cheaper, Naples or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Naples?
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 Naples. 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 Naples?
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.
Naples
Naples is the most populous city in southern Italy. The city sits against the Bay of Naples, and is in close proximity to Mount Vesuvius, which is most famous for its eruption in 79 AD which destroyed the communities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Naples has a wonderfully sunny, Mediterranean climate, some great beaches, and beautiful architecture. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and because city officials have established strict building codes there is almost no condo style development along the coast. This helps Naples to maintain its authentic and historic atmosphere.
Many people love Naples for its history and authenticity, while others complain that it is noisy, crowded, and dirty. You can visibly see that the poverty in Southern Italy is higher than in the northern part of the country. Traffic is also chaotic, but what some travelers consider flaws, others see as benefits. Nobody can deny that Naples is truly an authentic Italian city. It has some of the country's best food and wine, the weather is ideal, and the prices are far cheaper than the northern regions. It has a large number of attractions in the form of museums and galleries, and there are some of the world's best ruins in nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum.
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 Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Naples $138
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Naples is $138. 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 Naples in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Naples $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Naples $140
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Naples
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Naples? 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 Naples Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Naples $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer from Sofia Airport: $49
- Airport Transfers in Bulgaria: $66
- Arrival Transfer: Sofia Airport SOF to Sofia in Luxury Van: $75
- Bansko Transfer from/to Sofia Airport: $175
- Be Eco: Sofia Airport Transfer with an Electric Vehicle: $54
- Borovets Transfers from/to Sofia Airport: $104
- Departure Transfer: Sofia to Sofia Airport SOF in Luxury Van: $75
- From Bansko Transfer with Rila Monastery Visit: $128
- From Koprivshtitsa & Historic Homes Tour w/ Transfer: $53
- From Plovdiv Day Tour with Transfer: $71
- From Private Transfer to Bucharest: $448
- From Private Transfer to Plovdiv: $96
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Naples
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Naples:
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Subway Ticket$1.29
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Alibus From Airport$3.21
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Short Taxi Ride$7.86
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Train to Pompeii$3.43
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Taxi$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Naples
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Naples:
- Sorrento: Enjoy Pompeii and Vesuvius with private transfer: $588
- Venice Airport : One Way Transfer to Canazei: $567
- From Private Transfer to Positano with Pompeii Stop: $534
- From Bari Private Transfer with WiFi: $481
- From Private Transfer to Positano with Pompeii Stop: $428
- From Transfer to Positano with Pompeii Guided Tour: $420
- From Transfer to Amalfi-Ravello with Tour of Pompeii: $420
- From One-Way Transfer to Sorrento with Pompeii Tour: $378
- Private Transfer Naples to Amalfi coast or vice cersa: $353
- Van Transfer from Naples Apt to Sorrento/Amalfi/Positano: $321
- Return Transfer from Naples Cruise Port to Pompeii: $299
- Transfer from Naples to Maiori or Maiori to Naples: $296
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Naples?
Prices for flights to both Naples 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 $18Naples $43
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
Typical Food Prices in Naples
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Naples:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$30
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Three Course Dinner (for Two)$52
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Napoli Pizza$7.76
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Dinner$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Naples
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Naples.
- Napoli: Traditional Tiramisu Cooking Class with Limoncello: $36
- Small Group Naples Pizza Making Class with Drink Included: $46
- Street Food Tour of Naples with Top-Rated Local Guide & Fun Facts: $46
- Naples Street Food Tour With Local Expert: $46
- Authentic Italian Pizza-Making Workshop with Drinks: $46
- Authentic Pizza Class with Drinks Included in the Center of Naples: $47
- Authentic Italian Pizza Making Class with local pizzaiolo: $53
- Food Tour with Davide: $53
- Virtual Cooking Class: become a Pizza PRO!: $55
- Food Tour of Naples with Davide: $55
- Napoli Street Food Tour in Pignasecca: $58
- Make Neapolitan Pizza With A View Of Naples Like No Other: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Naples $32
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- Audio Guided Museum Paleontology and Historical Geology Ticket: $3.82
- Rila Monastery: Monastery & Museums Self-Guided Audio Tour 7 lang: $5.46
- Self-Guided Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.61
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $7.84
- Self-guided Tour in the Museum of Socialist Art: $7.87
- Guided Walking Tour of Sofia: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Audio Guide for All Sofia Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $12
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Naples
Here are a few typical costs in Naples for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Museo Archeologico Nazionale Entrance$9.64
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Castelnuovo Museum Entrance$5.36
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Entrance to Pompeii$12
Tours and Activities in Naples
Here are a few actual costs in Naples for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Naples : Discovery Capri with Chairlift Experience : $158
- Guided Tour to Ruins of Pompeii and Vesuvius From Naples: $141
- Herculaneum Private Walking Tour: $164
- Naples City Walking Tour Exploring Naples with a native guide : $87
- Napoli Sight Eating Walk: Food and Sight Tour: $45
- Pompeii private tour: $109
- Positano & Sorrento Private Day Tour: $273
- Private Tour a Pompeii e Sorrento from Napoli: $218
- Royal Palace of Caserta Private Tour for cruise ship : $164
- Walking Tour of Herculaneum with Local Guide: $60
- (Ercolano) Herculaneum , Half Day Private Tour: $136
- 2 Hours Naples Metro Tour with 24 Hour Metro Ticket included: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Naples $23
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Naples
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Naples:
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Beer$4.39
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Beer$4.29
Sample the Local Flavors in Naples
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Naples:
- Guided Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $16
- Mount Vesuvius: Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $51
- Regional food and wine tasting: $53
- Guided, FUN Wine Tasting in Napoli: $63
- Guided, FUN Wine Tasting in Naples City Center: $64
- Full-Day Bike Guided Tour in Napoli with Wine Tasting: $64
- Vesuvius Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch Included: $75
- Mount Vesuvius 4-Hour Volcano Tour with Wine Tasting: $79
- Naples Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $86
- Naples Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $90
- Vesuvius Half-Day Trip with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $95
- From Wine Tasting Tour on Vesuvius Slopes with Lunch: $97
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Naples, we can see that Naples 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 Naples would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Naples 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 Naples Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Naples?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Naples. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Naples, 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.