A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sofia vs. Sorrento for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sofia or Sorrento?

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 Sorrento. 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 Sorrento?

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.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a popular travel destination in Campania, Italy. The city has nice architecture and many shops and outdoor cafes you can enjoy. Its access via the Circumvesuviana rail system make it a great base for visiting Pompeii and Ercolano.

The city has a Mediterranean climate that has mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The pleasant climate make it a popular destination year around, although you can expect crowds during the peak summer months.

You'll find no shortage of hotels and hostels in town as the city's economy is very much dependent on tourism. Hostels are generally clean and comfortable, but they may be more expensive than you expect. If you travel during the low season you're likely to save some money even if the weather isn't as nice. Mid range hotel rooms are usually smaller than their American counterparts, but they are clean and nice and often come with a complimentary breakfast. The same can generally be said for more expensive hotels.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Sorrento or Sofia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Sorrento is $150. 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 Sorrento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $40
    Sorrento $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $80
    Sorrento $192
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Sorrento

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Sorrento? 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.

Hotels in Sofia


Hotels in Sorrento


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 Sorrento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $8.38
    Sorrento $8.10

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 Sorrento

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sorrento are as follows:


  • Local Bus Ticket
    $4.50
  • Ferry to Capri (Round Trip)
    $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sorrento

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sorrento:

  • Transfer to Naples with Herculaneum Guided Tour: $404
  • Transfer to Naples with Guided Tour of Pompeii: $404
  • Private transfer from Sorrento to Rome: $281
  • Private Transfer from Sorrento to Amalfi: $251
  • Transfer Naples airport/station to Sorrento with stop in Pompeii: $240
  • Naples: Private transfer to Sorrento one way: $235
  • Naples Airport (NAP): Private One-Way Transfer from Sorrento: $235
  • Private Transfer by Minivan from Sorrento to Naples Airport, Train Station, Port: $235
  • Sorrento to Fiumucino Rome Airport (FCO) - Departure Private Transfer: $224
  • Private Transfer by Car from Sorrento to Ravello or from Ravello to Sorrento: $218
  • Private transfer from Sorrento to Naples: $218
  • Private Airport Transfer from Sorrento to Naples Station: $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Sorrento?

Prices for flights to both Sorrento 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sofia $18
    Sorrento $41

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 Sorrento

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sorrento:


  • Pizza
    $6.43
  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    $46
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sorrento

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sorrento.

  • Private Virtual Cooking Class from Sorrento : $33
  • Amalfi Coast Cooking Class and Wine Tasting: $48
  • Sorrento Art & Food Tour on Breathless 'Views Village: $50
  • Pizza Making Class at Tirabusciò Cooking School: $64
  • Pizza Making Class: $64
  • Sorrento Pizza Making: $65
  • Pizza Making Course: $70
  • Dinner in Sorrento with Love, Laugh and Spaghetti: $70
  • Pizza School Experience from Sorrento: $71
  • Farm Visit with Pizza Lesson, Wine, and Limoncello: $75
  • Pizza School with Wine and Limoncello Tasting in a Local Farm: $76
  • Private Cooking Class in Sant'Agnello: $76

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $5.92
    Sorrento $35

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 Sorrento

Here are a few typical costs in Sorrento for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Chair & Umbrella at Beach
    $11
  • Bike Rental (24 Hours)
    $21
  • Scuba Diving (Single Dive)
    $48
  • Blue Mini Cruise
    $24

Tours and Activities in Sorrento

Here are a few actual costs in Sorrento for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • All inclusive Herculaneum Skip the Line Tour From Sorrento: $115
  • Positano, Amalfi and Ravello Small-Group Tour From Sorrento: $130
  • 2-Hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Sorrento : $199
  • 3 Hour Walking Tour of Sorrento with Local Food Tasting: $39
  • 3 Hours Guided Boat Tour for Small Groups on the Island of Capri: $164
  • 3 hours Private Capri Boat Tour : $239
  • 8 Hour Tour of Capri and Anacapri: $66
  • AMALFI COAST FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR ON ALLEGRA21: $1,390
  • AMALFI COAST FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR ON SAVER HARD TOP: $2,299
  • Amalfi Boat Tour From Sorrento with Positano Trip: $152
  • Amalfi Coast Boat Tour: $206
  • Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento: $166

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $8.39
    Sorrento $9.34

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Sorrento

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sorrento are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Sorrento

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sorrento:

  • Walking Tour Wine Tasting and Typical Products in Sorrento Farm: $71
  • Campania wine tasting with traditional foods: $75
  • Sorrento Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $97
  • Sorrento Farm and Food Experience including Olive Oil, Limoncello, Wine tasting : $98
  • Small Group Sorrento Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $104
  • From Mount Vesuvius Tour with Lunch & Wine Tasting: $107
  • Wine Tasting Including Lunch: $108
  • Lemon, Olive Oil and Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $109
  • From Full-Day Pompeii & Wine Tasting Tour: $136
  • Full Day Small Group Pompeii Tour from Sorrento with Local Wine Tasting: $139
  • Pompeii Guided Tour & Wine tasting + Easy lunch: $185
  • Guided Tour of Pompei and Wine Tasting from Sorrento: $205


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Sorrento, we can see that Sorrento 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 Sorrento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sorrento 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 Sorrento Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Sorrento?

Sofia has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Sorrento, 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.