Which place is cheaper, Pecs or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Pecs?
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 Pecs. 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 Pecs?
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.
Pecs
Located in southwest Hungary, Pecs is a pleasant university town with a history that dates back to Roman times - a history evident in its ancient architecture. Some of the most sought after sites include the Early Christian Necropolis, the Mosque of Pasha Quasim, and the Cathedral of Pecs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Hungary, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Pecs $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Pecs is $80. 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 Pecs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Pecs $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Pecs $74
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Pecs
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Pecs? 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 Pecs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Pecs $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer from Sofia Airport: $48
- Airport Transfers in Bulgaria: $65
- Bansko Transfer From/to Sofia Airport and Hotels: $260
- Bansko Transfer from/to Sofia Airport: $173
- Be Eco: Sofia Airport Transfer with an Electric Vehicle: $53
- Borovets Transfers from/to Sofia Airport: $103
- Departure Transfer: Sofia to Sofia Airport SOF in Luxury Car: $86
- 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: $446
- From Private Transfer to Plovdiv: $96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pecs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pecs:
- Pécs - Budapest Transfer: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Pecs?
Prices for flights to both Pecs 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 $18Pecs $29
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 Pecs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pecs:
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Dinner for Two$24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Pecs $17
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.61
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $7.86
- Guided Walking Tour of Sofia: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- 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
- Self-Guided Tour in Sofia: $15
- Private Kayak Tour on the Pancharevo Lake: $16
- Communist Walking Tour: $18
- Communist Walking Tour of Sofia: $18
Tours and Activities in Pecs
Here are a few actual costs in Pecs for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mineral Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Pecs $8.30
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Pecs, we can see that Pecs 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 Pecs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pecs 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 Pecs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Pecs?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Pecs. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Pecs, 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.