Which place is cheaper, Venice or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Venice?
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 Venice. 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 Venice?
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.
Venice
The canals of Venice are one of the most popular and emulated destinations in the world. In it's hay day, Venice was at the center of politics, exploration, arts and architecture. Today that history is still very much alive and well. The city is unlike any other in the world. The best way to immerse yourself in Venice is to get yourself lost in the alleyways. It's actually quite easy to do and you'll find yourself stumbling into the most interesting places, hidden away from the crowds of Piazzo San Marco.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Venice $246
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Venice is $246. 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 Venice in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Venice $128
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Venice $256
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Venice
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Venice? 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 Venice Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Venice $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sofia to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $687
- From Private Transfer to Bucharest: $448
- Private Transfer from Sofia to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $292
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Sozopol: $292
- Private Transfer from Sofia to Varna (VAR) Airport: $273
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Kavala: $237
- Private Transfer Bucharest to/from Sofia: $224
- Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko: $195
- Transfer from Sofia to Stara Zagora: $194
- Transfer from Sofia to Pamporovo: $191
- VIP Transfer from Sofia to Bansko: $186
- Bansko Transfer from/to Sofia Airport: $175
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Venice
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Venice:
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Venice 12 Hour Transport Pass$17
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Vaporetto Ride$6.96
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1 Day Travel Card$19
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7 Day Transport Card (for Two)$108
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Venice
Also for Venice, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Milan: One-Way Transfer to/from Venice Cruise Port: $1,164
- Luxury Private Transfer Between Siena and Venice: $1,150
- Venice Airport: Round Trip Private Transfer to Verona city: $1,082
- Trieste: Round Trip Transfer to Piazzale Roma in Venice: $1,047
- Ravenna Port or City: 1- Way Transfer to Venice + water taxi: $1,027
- One-Way Transfer to Florence Airport or Hotel: $1,021
- Bologna Airport:1-Way Private Transfer to Venice+water taxi: $831
- Transfer from Trieste Cruise Terminal to Marco Polo Airport: $791
- Transfer from Airport to Trieste Cruise Terminal: $791
- Venice Airport:1-Way Transfer to Ravenna City or Cruise Port: $749
- Transfer from Venice to Verona Hotels: $661
- Venice, Square Rome : 1-Way Transfer To Trieste Port or City: $551
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Venice?
Prices for flights to both Venice 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 $18Venice $69
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 Venice
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Venice:
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Panini Sandwich$4.29
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Gelato$6.43
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Artichoke & Mushroom Pizza$8.47
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Expresso$2.09
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Slice of Pizza$2.39
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Three Course Dinner (for Two)$85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Venice
For Venice, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide and Tastings: $47
- Venice Street Food Tour with a Native & Top Rated Expert: $48
- Venice Street Food Tour with Local Guide with Local Food Market Visit: $48
- Street Food Tour of Venice in 2.5 hours: $48
- Guided City Highlights and Street Food Tour: $51
- Venetian Dinner: $62
- Twilight Food Tour with Cicchetti and Spritz Tasting: $63
- Venetian Dinner: $68
- 2-Course Dinner in a Typical Venetian Restaurant: $74
- Guided Small Group Kickstart Food Tour of Venice : $76
- Tiramisù cooking class and tasting in Treviso: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Venice $108
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
- Mount Verila Cultural Tour in Bulgaria: $93
- Private Tour from Sofia to the Rila monatsery: $109
- 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave: $86
- 3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia: $82
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Small Group Day tour from Sofia: $93
- 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: $108
- Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $59
- Afternoon Delights in Sofia Tour: $75
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $59
Typical Entertainment Prices in Venice
For Venice, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Venice Boat Ride$16
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Bell tower of St. Mark Entrance Fee$8.57
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Gondola Ride (for Group)$86
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Secret Itinerary Tour- Doge's Palace$17
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The Jewish Museum Admission$3.21
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The Glass Museum in Murano$8.57
Tours and Activities in Venice
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Venice.
- From Vicenza Private Tour: $281
- Peggy Guggenheim collection Venice private tour: $74
- Private Grand Canal 1-Hour Boat Tour: $295
- Small-group Saint Mark’s Basilica Skip-the-line Tour: $53
- Venice Saint Mark's Basilica and gondola tour in the afternoon: $82
- Venice Top-Attractions Walking Tour for Kids & Families & Child-Friendly Guide: $239
- Private 2-Hour Doge's Palace Tour: $217
- Friendinvenice, how to experience the true Venice, private tour: $125
- 2 Hour Night Kayak Tour in Venice, premium experience with sunset: $137
- 2 Hours Private Boat Tour in the Lagoon at Sunset with Aperitif: $104
- 2 Hours Private Guided Tour of the Doge's Palace: $131
- 2-Hour Venice with Kids and Family Friendly Private Guided Tour: $272
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Venice $26
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 Venice
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Venice:
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1/2 Liter Wine$5.57
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Beer$5.25
Sample the Local Flavors in Venice
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Venice:
- Guided Tour and wine tasting 5 wines to discover the Conegliano Valdobbiadene: $27
- Guided Visit and Wine Tasting at the Winery in Veneto: $27
- Wine Tasting in Venice: $37
- Wine Tasting in Venice: $39
- private tour in the city and wine tasting: $50
- Wine tasting Asolo Prosecco at Tenuta Baron: $59
- Food and Wine Tasting Bar Tour & Evening Guided Tour: $72
- Venetian Style Carnival Pub Crawl: $79
- Venetian Style Carnival Pub Crawl: $82
- Eat, drink and repeat: Wine tasting tour in Venice: $98
- Authentic Neighborhood Cicchetti Food & Wine Tour: $105
- A Venetian Evening - Wine Tasting & Tapas tour with a Local guide: $108
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Venice, we can see that Venice 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice 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 Venice Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Venice?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Venice, 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.