Which place is cheaper, Siena or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Siena?
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 Siena. 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 Siena?
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.
Siena
Located in Tuscany, Siena is a medieval city that is about 70 kilometers south of Florence. One of its most famous events is the horse race, Il Palio, which occurs twice a year during the summer. The race puts a lot of emphasis on neighborhood pride and competition. It is a local tradition that is of great importance to the residence, so it is not an event that is held specifically for tourists. It dates back to the Medieval times and is associated with the area's religion, pageantry and rivalry. In addition to the city's strong neighborhood pride, rich history, and impressive architecture, Siena was also the home of many famous artists including Duccio, Simone Martini, and Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Siena $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Siena is $142. 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 Siena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Siena $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Siena $148
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Siena
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Siena? 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 Siena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Siena $21
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): $47
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia HTL-APT (SOF): $48
- Airport Transfer from Sofia Airport: $49
- From Koprivshtitsa & Historic Homes Tour w/ Transfer: $53
- Be Eco: Sofia Airport Transfer with an Electric Vehicle: $54
- Sofia Airport SOF Private Transfer to Sofia City in Business Car: $54
- Private Transfer from Sofia Airport SOF to Sofia in Business Car: $54
- Private Airport Transfer from/to Sofia Bulgaria: $55
- Private Departure Transfer from Sunny Beach to Burgas Airport: $66
- Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siena:
- Siena to Milan Malpensa airport private transfer: $1,433
- Siena to Milan Linate Airport 1-Way Private Transfer: $1,305
- Luxury Private Transfer Between Siena and Genoa: $1,118
- Siena - Rome Transfer Tour with Orvieto & Montepulciano: $1,059
- From Florence: Private Siena Day Trip with Transfers: $348
- Transfer Siena-Pisa with stop in San Gimignano & Lunch: $245
- Transfer Siena-Florence with visit to Chianti and wine tasting: $218
- Private transfer from Siena to Florence: $202
- Arrival transfer Siena Airport SAY to Siena City by van or car: $148
- Rome Fiumicino Airport: Shared Transfer to/from Siena by Bus: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Siena?
Prices for flights to both Siena 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 $18Siena $54
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siena.
- Siena food tour and Chianti wine: $60
- Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $95
- Tuscan Dinner in a Villa in an Ancient Siena Olive Grove: $98
- Siena Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience : $99
- From Siena/Chianti: Dinner & Drinks in the Chianti Vineyards: $102
- Siena countryside: cooking class in a real Tuscan farmhouse: $123
- Cooking Class in a historical villa in Siena Provence: $130
- Tuscan Cooking Class in Central Siena: $131
- 4 Hour Private Cooking Class Unique Tuscan Experience in Siena: $131
- Family Cooking Class: Pizza and Tiramisù from Siena: $138
- Small Group Cooking Class in Chianti Farmhouse: $138
- Small group Cooking Class in Chianti Farmhouse: $141
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Siena $4.02
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
Tours and Activities in Siena
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Siena are as follows:
- Siena tour: Piazza del Campo & Duomo exploration: $125
- Walking Tour of Siena with food & Chianti wine: $71
- “Secret of Siena” City E-bike tour: $134
- 2 hour Siena Private Guided Walking Tour : $273
- 4-Hour Guided Bike Tour for Small Groups in Chianti: $180
- 500 Vintage Tour and Chianti Roads from Siena: $160
- 500 Vintage Tour: Chianti Roads Experience with Lunch from Florence: $164
- Afternoon Semi Private Chianti tour from Siena: $88
- Badesse: Vespa & Chianti Tour in the Tuscan Hills: $138
- Brunello di Montalcino wine experience with a sommelier : $262
- Chianti Classico E-Bike Tour: $284
- Chianti: Wine and Olive Oil Tasting with Cellar Tour: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Siena $2.34
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: $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 Siena
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Siena:
- Wine Tasting at the Winery in the Panoramic Terrance: $27
- Montalcino: Brunello Wine Tasting Experience: $35
- Total Immersion Wine Tour in Chianti: $43
- Lapi&Tour Guided tour of the cellars with wine tasting: $52
- From Florence: San Gimignano, Siena, and Chianti Wine Tour: $55
- Tuscany Hiking Tour from Siena Including Wine Tasting: $60
- Siena Underground Wine tasting in a Medieval Cave: $61
- Siena Underground Wine tasting in a Medieval Cave: $63
- Tuscan Classics Wine Tasting Class with Aperitivo: $64
- Montalcino: Brunello Wine Tasting & Lunch in a Tuscan Castle: $64
- Wine and Food Pairing Class with Tuscan Wine Tastings: $75
- Organic Winery Tour and Wine Tasting in Siena: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Siena, we can see that Siena 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 Siena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siena 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 Siena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Siena?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Siena, 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.