Which place is cheaper, Split or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Split?
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 Split. 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 Split?
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.
Split
Spit is a historic city in Central Dalmatia with many opportunities to glimpse its fascinating past in its historic city center. Centuries ago the city grew up around a Diocletian palace that was used as refuge by the locals.
Today, as you wander around the historic center, you can see the remains of the Roman walls, temples, and squares. Despite it's appeal to tourists, Split is much more than just a tourist destination. It is larger than you might initially realize and it spreads well beyond the historic center. There is a population of about 300,000 in the larger area and it is an economic center for the region.
Split has a beautiful climate with mild winters, countless sunny days, and a generally pleasant temperature. As such, there are many opportunities to enjoy yourself outdoors, whether by participating in sports or walking around the city's quaint streets. Winters in Split are also quite mild, but there may be one snowy day, on average, every year. This rare snowfall can cause a significant disruption in the flow of traffic.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Walking Tours in Croatia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Split $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Split is $116. 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 Split in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Split $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Split $156
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Split
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Split? 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 Split Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Split $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP Transfer from Sofia to Bansko: $184
- Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $65
- Transfer from Sofia to Pamporovo: $190
- 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 from Sofia Airport T1 to Bansko: $101
- 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 Airport Transfers: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Split
Also for Split, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from Split to Zagreb via Plitvice: $1,064
- Zagreb to Private Transfer with Plitvice Lakes: $1,011
- Split/Trogir to Zagreb: Private Transfer with Plitvice Lakes: $1,011
- Transfer: $798
- Private Transfer to Zagreb with Plitvice Lakes Stop: $731
- From 1-Way Private Transfer to Zagreb: $665
- Split Airport: Speedboat Taxi transfer to/from Hvar: $638
- private transfer from Split airport to Novalja/Zrće: $532
- Airport to Hvar Town Speedboat Transfer: $532
- Split – Dubrovnik via Ston Private transfer: $438
- Private Transfer to Krka with Driver & Optional Guide: $425
- From Private 1-Way Transfer to Dubrovnik: $385
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Split?
Prices for flights to both Split 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 $18Split $25
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: $97
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Split
For Split, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small Group Food Tour: $37
- Homemade Dinner under the Stars in Split: $85
- Food Tour in Split ( Small Group): $96
- Vegan Food tour of Split with local gastronomy: $101
- Split Cooking Class - Afternoon Edition Shared Activity: $190
- Private Authentic Wine & Food tour from Split: $239
- Culinary Experience – Cooking Class & Walking Tour Split: $251
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Split $3.96
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
- 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave: $86
- 3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia: $81
- 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
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $59
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $60
- Audio Guide for All Sofia Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $12
Tours and Activities in Split
For Split, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Blue cave and Hvar - 5 Islands speedboat tour from Split: $168
- SPLIT-"Emperor's City for History Lovers"/BOUTIQUE Walking Tour+Cellars Museum: $30
- "Blue Lagoon" Half day Chill out tour from Split: $75
- "Not Today" - Game of Thrones and History of Split Private Guided Walking Tour: $81
- 2 Day Pass with Sightseeing Bus: $33
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise Split: $62
- 2-hours Split Segway Tour: $87
- 4-Hour Croatia Private Dalmatian Food and Wine flavors Experience in Split Patio: $119
- 4-Island Split Boat Tour (Brač, Pakleni, Hvar, Šolta): $131
- 5 islands Private Boat Tour:Blue Cave,Hvar&Pakleni islands: $1,157
- 6 Hour Extreme Mountain and River Buggy Quad Tour in Croatia : $145
- 7-Hours Krka Waterfalls Tour from Split: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Split $8.49
Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:
- 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
- From Rozhen monastery and Melnik with wine tasting: $98
- Private Sofia Tour with Wine Tasting: $106
- Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia: $114
- Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting: $119
- Koprivshtitsa and Starosel Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $138
- Rila Monastery Tour from Sofia - Lunch, Wine Tasting & The Unique Stob Pyramids: $139
Sample the Local Flavors in Split
Also in Split, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Krka Waterfalls & Swimming & Wine tasting: $24
- From Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $26
- Tower Pub Crawl in Split: $29
- Split/Trogir: Krka National Park Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $38
- Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting tour from Split: $39
- Krka National Park Tour with tour Guide & Wine tasting from Split & Trogir: $46
- Krka Waterfalls and wine tasting Tour from Split or Trogir : $46
- Wine Tasting in the Diocletian's Palace: $53
- Wine Tasting in the Diocletian’s Palace: $54
- Diocletian's Palace Walking and Wine Tasting Tour: $70
- Blue Lagoon & Wine tasting - 3 islands tour: $98
- Vineyard Wine Tasting Experience with a Sea view from Split: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Split, we can see that Split 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 Split would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Split 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 Split Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Split?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Split. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Split, 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.