Which place is cheaper, Sarajevo or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Sarajevo?
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 Sarajevo. 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 Sarajevo?
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.
Sarajevo
Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and is one of the most culturally and historically interesting cities to visit in Europe. The city was at the crossroads where the Eastern and Western Roman Empires divided, and the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches divided. Today it is most associated with the Civil War that occurred here between 1992 and 1995. There are still many remnants of the war left, from the cemeteries that dot the countryside to the leftover damage done by bombs. Despite its brutal history, Sarajevo has begun to thrive again, both economically and as a tourist destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Sarajevo $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Sarajevo is $70. 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 Sarajevo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Sarajevo $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Sarajevo $54
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Sarajevo
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Sarajevo? 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 Sarajevo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Sarajevo $7.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $65
- Transfer from Sofia to Burgas: $266
- Transfer from Sofia to Borovets: $82
- Transfer from Sofia to Bansko: $130
- Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $19
- Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko: $194
- Transfer Services in Bulgaria: Sofia Airport and Hotel Transfers: $80
- Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $31
- Sofia to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $685
- Sofia City Private Transfer to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $53
- Sofia Airport Transfers: $49
- Private transfer from Sofia to Plovdiv or vice versa: $149
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sarajevo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Sarajevo:
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Tram Tickets (for 2)$1.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarajevo
Also for Sarajevo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Split: $320
- Split Private Transfer Service: $298
- Dubrovnik Private Transfer Service: $298
- Transfer from/to Sarajevo - Belgrade: $287
- Private Transfer from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ) to Travnik: $231
- Private Transfer from Travnik to Sarajevo Airport (SJJ): $231
- Private transfer (FROM-TO) Sarajevo - Split: $228
- Private transfer (FROM-TO) Sarajevo - Belgrade : $228
- Sarajevo ⇄ Mostar / Private Transfer: $203
- Private transfer (FROM-TO) Sarajevo - Belgrade: $186
- Private transfer (FROM-TO) Sarajevo - Kotor - Budva: $186
- Private transfer (FROM-TO) Sarajevo - Split: $186
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Sarajevo?
Prices for flights to both Sarajevo 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 $18Sarajevo $31
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 Sarajevo
For Sarajevo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Restaurant Dinner (for 2)$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sarajevo
For Sarajevo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sarajevo Local Food Tour: $27
- Walking Food Tour with Local Craft Experience: $43
- Traditional Bosnian Dinner with your Host Family: $43
- Traditional Bosnian Dinner with Host Family: $53
- Cooking class: Traditional Bosnian Pie: $60
- Bosnian Cooking Lessons: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Sarajevo $12
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
- Private Tour from Sofia to the Rila monatsery: $108
- 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave: $86
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Small Group Day tour from Sofia: $92
- 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: $107
- Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $59
- Afternoon Delights in Sofia Tour: $75
- Archaeological tour-From the Neolithic to Modern times in Augusta Trayana: $107
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $59
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sarajevo
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Sarajevo's activities, tours, and tickets:
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National Museum (for 2)$7.64
Tours and Activities in Sarajevo
For Sarajevo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Beautiful National Park Sutjeska - Full day Tour: $65
- Siege of Sarajevo War Tour, 4-Hour Guided European Playground of Death: $35
- 2 Days Private Guided Tour in Sarajevo and Mostar: $163
- 2 hours Small Group Old Town of Sarajevo Walking Tour with Local Tour Guide: $13
- 4-Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour with Food Tastings and Craft Experience: $43
- 8 to 9 Hours Daily Tour To Travnik and Jajce From Sarajevo: $103
- Amazing Prokoško jezero - Full day Tour: $81
- Assassination Tour: $27
- BOSNIAN PYRAMIDS TOUR (nature, history & archeology): $64
- Best of Sarajevo - Full Day All Inclusive Tour: $76
- Bijambare Cave & Bosnia Spring Park: Half-Day Tour from Sarajevo: $80
- Bijambare Cave & Bosnia Spring Park: Tour from Sarajevo: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Sarajevo $7.34
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Sarajevo
Also in Sarajevo, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Small-group Wine Tasting Expiriance, with lunch in vineyard: $70
When comparing the travel costs between Sofia and Sarajevo, we can see that Sarajevo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sofia Expensive? and Is Sarajevo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Sarajevo?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Sarajevo. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Sarajevo, 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.