Which place is cheaper, Prague or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Prague?
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 Prague. 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 Prague?
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.
Prague
Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. It is also the largest city in the country and one of the largest cities in Central Europe. Prague has long enticed travelers for its beautiful architecture, impressive bridges, detailed cathedrals, and fascinating history. Prague is unique in that is remained almost completely undamaged during World War II. The medieval city center still feels like you've stepped back in time. Despite this historic atmosphere, there is still a lot of vibrant energy and you'll find many different live music venues, art galleries, modern restaurants, and unique festivals throughout the year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Budget Tours to Czech Republic, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Prague $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Prague is $109. 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 Prague in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Prague $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Prague $134
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Prague
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Prague? 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 Prague Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Prague $8.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $19
- Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $31
- Private Transfer: Sofia to Sofia Airport (SOF): $46
- Airport Transfer from Sofia Airport: $48
- Sofia Airport Transfers: $49
- Private Transfer from Sofia to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $53
- Be Eco: Sofia Airport Transfer with an Electric Vehicle: $53
- Private Transfer from/to Sofia Airport : $53
- Sofia City Private Transfer to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $53
- Private Transfer from Sofia Airport SOF to Sofia in Business Car: $53
- From Koprivshtitsa & Historic Homes Tour w/ Transfer: $53
- Private Airport Transfer from/to Sofia Bulgaria: $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Prague
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Prague:
- Sightseeing Transfer to Salzburg via Cesky Krumlov: $1,426
- Private transfer from Prague to Berlin: $693
- Private transfer from Prague to Munich: $693
- Private transfer from Prague to Nuremberg: $629
- Private transfer from Prague to Vienna: $629
- Airport Transfer Beer Party Bus with Unlimited Beer: $585
- Private sightseeing transfer Prague - Vienna: $422
- Luxury transfer from Prague to Česky Krumlov: $312
- Private Transfer from Prague to Salzburg with 2h of Sightseeing, Local Driver: $299
- Prague to Munich - Private Transfer with 2 hours of Sightseeing: $299
- Scenic Transfer from Prague to Munich with 2h stop in Plzen Beer Factory: $299
- Private Transfer from Prague to Salzburg with local English-speaking driver: $288
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Prague?
Prices for flights to both Prague 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 $18Prague $26
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 Prague
Some typical examples of dining costs in Prague are as follows:
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Fruit$4.20
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Lunch for One$13
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Bananas$0.59
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Cookies$0.33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Prague
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Prague.
- Anti Tour Prague - Self Guided Beer and Food Tour: $17
- Anti Tour Prague - Self Guided Beer and Food Tour: $21
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Prague with Set Lunch or Dinner: $28
- Sightseeing Boat Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $39
- Prague by Night: 2-Hour Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $47
- Vltava River Evening Dinner Cruise: $53
- Folkloric Dinner Show with Unlimited Drinks: $56
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise with Transfers: $57
- River Cruise with Dinner and Live Music: $58
- Medieval Dinner with Unlimited Drinks: $59
- Prague 5 Courses Medieval Dinner and Live Performances: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Prague $16
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Prague
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Prague are as follows:
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Opera Tickets$4.20
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Two Tickets for Charles Bridge Tower$5.88
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Image Theatre for Two$40
Tours and Activities in Prague
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Prague are as follows:
- City Tour with Prague Castle with Live guide: $44
- Live Virtual Tour of Prague: $57
- Private live-guided E-Scooter TOURS around Prague : $57
- The Private Prague All Inclusive Tour: $267
- 1 hour Old timer Convertible Prague Sightseeing Tour: $136
- 1 hour Prague Panoramic Vltava River sightseeing Cruise: $17
- 1–Hour Vintage Car Tour: $128
- 1,5 hour oldtimer convertible Prague sightseeing tour: $163
- 1-Hour Introductory Tour of Prague Castle With Fast-GET Admission Ticket: $42
- 1.5 Hour SEGWAY Tour of Prague: $63
- 180 Min Grand Private City Tour on E-Scooter: $94
- 2 Countries Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland tour from Prague: $169
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Prague $11
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 Prague
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Prague from other travelers:
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A Bottle of Wine$6.68
Sample the Local Flavors in Prague
Also in Prague, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Staropramem Brewery Self-Guided Tour with Tasting: $13
- Clock Tower Bar Crawl with Drinks and Shots: $23
- 1 Hour Exclusive Moravian Wine Tasting in an Art Gallery : $28
- Pub Crawl in Prague: $32
- Pub Crawl and International Party: $34
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Entry: $34
- Pub Crawl with 2-Hour Open Bar at Drunken Monkey: $35
- Golden Burlesque Show & Live Music w/ Lady & The Devil: $36
- Drunken Monkey Pub Crawl: $36
- Golden BURLESQUE: $42
- Prague beer tour with brewery visit and tasting: $46
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Prague: $49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Prague, we can see that Prague 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 Prague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Prague 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 Prague Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Prague?
Prague has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Sofia. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Prague, 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.