Which place is cheaper, Pisa or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Pisa?
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 Pisa. 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 Pisa?
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.
Pisa
Located in Tuscany, Pisa is most famous for its Leaning Tower. The city has a population of about 100,000 people and there are a surprising number of impressive sights that you might miss if you simply pass through to see the tower. There are many architectural and artistic sights that make the city noteworthy as well. The atmosphere of Pisa is also influenced by its university. Of the 100,000 person population, about 60,000 are students. The students bring the city to life with many parties, shows, and interesting cultural events. They stay active into the night and entertainment options are not limited. The student presence is most obvious once you're outside of the touristy Campo dei Miracoli.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Pisa $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Pisa is $128. 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 Pisa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Pisa $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Pisa $128
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Pisa
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Pisa? 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 Pisa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Pisa $12
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 Pisa
Also for Pisa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Florence: Round-trip Transfer to Pisa & Cinque Terre: $1,230
- Florence: Private Transfer from Pisa Airport (PSA): $396
- Private Transfer from Pisa Airport to Florence City centre: $291
- Transfer from Pisa to Siena with stop in San Gimignano for lunch: $273
- Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Fiesole: $264
- Private Sightseeing Transfer from Pisa to Florence: $245
- Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Firenze: $240
- Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Volterra: $229
- Private Transfer From Pisa To Florence, English Speaking Driver: $209
- Departure Private Transfer from Pisa to La Spezia by car or van: $203
- Private Transfer from Pisa Airport to Florence Hotels: $202
- Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Lucca: $196
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Pisa?
Prices for flights to both Pisa 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 $18Pisa $53
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 Pisa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Pisa:
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Dinner$80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pisa
For Pisa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chianni: wine and oil tasting with lunch or dinner: $39
- Home-made Pasta Cooking Class: $75
- Private Home-Made Pasta Cooking Class in Pisa.: $93
- Dining experience at a local's home in Pontedera with cooking demo: $93
- Pisa Food Tour: $95
- Pisa Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $101
- Hands-On Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155
- Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Pisa: $158
- Authentic Italian Food Tour in Pisa: $521
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Pisa $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 Pisa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pisa.
- Skip-the-Line Best of Pisa and Leaning Tower Guided Tour for Kids and Families: $273
- 2-Day Tour: Pisa, Cinque Terre & Tuscany: $320
- 2-Hour Small-Group Walking Tour of Pisa Off The Beaten Path: $27
- Adventure in Pisa + Tower Admission: $182
- Best of Pisa Guided Walking Tour with Leaning Tower Entry Ticket: $53
- Best of Small group tour with admission tickets: $57
- Bocelli Chianti Hills E-Bike Guided Tour + Wine Food Tasting: $157
- Carrara Marble Quarries Tour by Land Rover: $82
- Carrara Marble Quarry Tour with Food Tasting: $97
- Carrara: Exclusive Marble Cave Tour Adventure in a 4x4: $82
- Cinque Terre tour in Small Group from Pisa: $184
- Discovering Pisa in Christmas Time – Walking Tour: $443
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Pisa -
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 Pisa
Also in Pisa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cathedral Guided Tour & Wine Tasting & Optional Tower: $48
- Pisa guided tour and Wine tasting with Leaning Tower ticket (option): $50
- Winery Tour and Wine Tasting with Local Food Pairing: $75
- From Pisa or Lucca: Half-Day Tuscany Chianti Wine Tasting: $90
- Chianti Half-day Wine Tour in the Tuscan's Hills from Pisa: $97
- Guided tour in San Miniato and wine tasting!: $99
- Tuscan Wine Tour in Pisa by shuttle: $163
- Pisa & Lucca with wine Tasting and Lunch from Livorno: $663
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Pisa, we can see that Pisa 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 Pisa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pisa 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 Pisa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Pisa?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Pisa, 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.