Which place is cheaper, Rome or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Rome?
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 Rome. 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 Rome?
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.
Rome
Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. It is also a common entry point for most visitors flying into the country. Rome has been a center of power, culture, and religion for the last millenium, making it one of the most famous and popular destinations in not only Europe, but the world. The influence of the Roman Empire can be seen across continents.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Rome $182
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Rome is $182. 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 Rome in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Rome $95
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Rome $190
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Rome
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Rome? 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 Rome Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Rome $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 Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
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Metro Ride (for Two)$2.14
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Train to the Airport$16
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Taxi to Airport$48
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Bicycle Rental (Full Day)$11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
- Trieste Port: One-Way Private Transfer to/from Rome Hotels: $2,535
- Fiumucino Rome Airport (FCO): 1-Way Transfer To Trieste Port: $2,535
- Rome Airport (FCO): Transfer to/from Venice Port: $2,007
- Luxury Private Transfer Siena to Rome Fiumicino Airport: $973
- Private luxury transfer Siena to Rome city center: $936
- Luxury private transfer Siena to Rome Ciampino airport: $936
- Private Transfer from Amalfi to Rome or viceversa: $839
- From Sorrento: Private Transfer to Rome or Vice Versa: $813
- Verona Airport (VRN) : One-Way Private Transfer to Ravenna: $706
- Sorrento to Rome 1-Way Private Transfer: $663
- Private Transfer from Naples to Rome or viceversa: $620
- From Private Transfer to Naples or Vice Versa: $588
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Rome?
Prices for flights to both Rome 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 $18Rome $51
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 Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$15
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4 Ice Cream Sandwiches$3.20
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Cafe e doce$4.29
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Pizza (Fast Food)$2.84
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Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$34
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Cheese and bread$11
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Espresso$2.14
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Dinner$62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
- Award-Winning Roman Food Tours: $16
- Tipsy Food Crawl Walking Tour with Dinner: $31
- Vatican and Trionfale Farmers Market Food tour and Wine tasting : $32
- Food Tour of the Vatican with Farmers Market and Wine Tasting: $32
- Rome Food Tour with Wine Tasting and Farmers Market in Prati Area: $32
- Guided Food Tour with Food and Drink Tastings: $33
- Roman Master Chef Cooking Class with Wine: $36
- Roman Dinner & History Tour: An Epic Journey Through Time: $37
- Painting & Pizza Party with Unlimited Wine: $40
- Campo dei Fiori & Jewish Ghetto area Street Food Tour: $42
- Rome Food Tour : Street Food Testings with Local Guide: $43
- Wine Tasting and Food Tour at Vatican and Trionfale Farmers: $43
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Rome $39
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 Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)$74
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Coliseum Tickets (for Two)$35
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Roma Pass$32
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Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)$21
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Segway Tour$80
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Appian Way and Aqueducts Electric Bike Tour: $82
- Castel Sant Angelo Skip the Line Tickets: $39
- Colosseum Arena Floor Guided Tour with Ancient Rome Access : $195
- Colosseum Gladiator Arena Floor Complete Guided Tour : $206
- Colosseum Tour With Kids: $195
- Colosseum and Ancient Rome Tour with Circus Maximus and Forums: $16
- Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill Professional Guided Tour: $161
- Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Tour: $184
- Complete St Peters Basilica Tour with Dome Climb and Crypt: $43
- Cruise into Rome?! Full-Day Rome Discovery from Civitavecchia : $96
- Fast Track Colosseum with Arena and afternoon Vatican Museums Tour: $191
- Golf Cart Driving Tour: Rome City Highlights in 2.5 hrs: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Rome $19
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 Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
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Bottle of Wine$6.96
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Pint of Beer$6.79
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Beer$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
- Trionfale and Prati Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $31
- Trionfale Farmers Market and Vatican Quarter Food and Wine Tour: $32
- Vatican Food and Wine Tasting Tour next to the Sistine Chapel: $32
- Cabaret & Burlesque Show: $32
- Vatican Quarter and Trionfale Farmers Market Food and Wine Tour: $43
- Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $52
- Tipsy Tour: Fun Bar Crawl In Rome With Local Guide : $53
- Wine Tour in Historic Center of Rome: $55
- Frascati Wine Tasting Experience & Vineyards Tour : $61
- Pasta Making Class & Wine Tasting in a Trasteve Villa: $68
- E-Bike Night Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $68
- Private Wine Tasting in Trastevere: $71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Rome?
Rome has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sofia. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Rome, 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.