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

Should you visit Sofia or Verona?

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 Verona. 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 Verona?

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.

Verona

Verona, Italy is probably most famous as the setting for Shakespeare's famous play, Romeo and Juliet. It's in northeast Italy in the Veneto region, close to Venice. It's easy to make the trip by train from either Venice or Milan. Verona has many Roman ruins throughout town, most notably, the Arena. The Arena is a large amphitheater that dates back to the first century AD. You also can't visit Verona without stopping by Juliet's House on Via Cappello, just off the Piazza delle Erbe. The balcony is the supposed balcony that inspired the most famous love scene in the play. You can expect to find tourists gathered around with camera, perhaps detracting a little from what might have once been a romantic setting. Other sights in town worth visiting are the Castle Scaligeri, Castelvecchio, Lamberti Tower, Juliet's Tomb, and the small chapel San Giorgetta. If you have the time while you're in town, consider hoping on Bus 41 and heading out to S. Maria di Lourdes Sanctuary. From the edge of Verona's highest hill you can have a stunning view of the surrounding area. It's well worth the trip.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Verona 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 Verona is $180. 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 Verona in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $40
    Verona $115
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $80
    Verona $230
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Verona

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Verona? 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 Verona


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 Verona Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $8.38
    Verona $7.37

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 Verona

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Verona:


  • Bus From Airport
    $6.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Verona

Also for Verona, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Marco Polo Airport: $661
  • private transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $620
  • Verona Airport:1-Way Private Transfer to Venice+water taxi: $535
  • Verona Airport (VRN): One Way Transfer to Venice+WaterTaxi: $503
  • From 1-Way Private Transfer to Venice Airport: $500
  • Verona Airport(VRN): 1-Way Transfer to Venice, Piazzale Roma: $364
  • Private Luxury Transfer from Verona to Malpensa airport (MPX) (or vice versa): $291
  • Private Luxury Transfer from Verona to Selva Val Gardena (or vice versa): $284
  • Private Luxury Transfer from Verona to Florence (or vice versa): $272
  • Private Luxury Transfer from Verona to Ortisei (or vice versa): $262
  • Private Luxury Transfer from Verona to Madonna di Campiglio (or vice versa): $218
  • Private Luxury Transfer from Verona to Bolzano (or vice versa): $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Verona?

Prices for flights to both Verona 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
    Verona $58

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 Verona

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Verona:


  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    $39
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $25
  • Cappucino
    $1.88

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Verona

For Verona, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Guided Food Tour with Wine Tasting: $63
  • Tortellini Cooking Class and Lunch with Mamma Ivana: $64
  • Eat Drink and Love wine and food tour: $82
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Castelnuovo del Garda with Show Cooking: $93
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Fumane with Show Cooking: $93
  • Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Soave: $93
  • Verona Food Tour with Guide: $95
  • Food Tour with Amarone Wine Tasting: $95
  • Wine and Food Tour with Dinner and Tastings: $96
  • Small-group Street food tour in Soave: $97
  • Verona Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $101
  • Valpolicella: Traditional cooking class with local products: $102

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $5.92
    Verona $13

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 Verona

For Verona, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Juliet's House Entry
    $4.29
  • Verona Card
    $11

Tours and Activities in Verona

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Verona.

  • Amarone wine experience in Verona countryside: $37
  • "Let yourself be guided .. Let yourself be pampered" Private Tour: $218
  • 3 Hour Shared Walking and Aperitivo Tour of Verona: $70
  • 3 Hour Walking tour of Verona and Arena: $142
  • 3 Hour Watercolor Private Experience in Verona: $65
  • 4-Hour Guided E-bike Tour of the Two Wineries in Bardolino: $119
  • A day in the life of Verona - Private tour with a local: $224
  • A private tasting tour of Verona, between food and wine: $280
  • Adventure in e-Bike among medieval villages and castles: $125
  • Amarone 2005 Wine Experience: $33
  • Amarone Della Valpolicella Wine Experience - Meet the Vogadori Family: $38
  • Amarone Wine Experience at Montresor winery: $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $8.39
    Verona $12

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 Verona

Also in Verona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wine tasting in Bardolino: $26
  • Valpolicella Wine Tour and Tasting in Medieval Court: $33
  • Amarone Wine Tour: $35
  • Montresor Winery Visit with Wine Tasting and Snacks: $37
  • Valdadige: Roeno Guided Tour and Wine tasting: $37
  • Verona area: Wine Tasting Experience in Valpolicella: $38
  • Food and Wine Tasting in Valpolicella: $38
  • Unique Wine tasting in Verona, with Amarone docg: $41
  • Lazise: Historical Center Wine Tasting Tour: $43
  • Lake Garda: Wine Tour & Tasting Experience in Bardolino area: $44
  • Wine Tasting near Juliet's Balcony in Verona: $45
  • Wine Tasting in Underground Cellar in Verona City Center : $46


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


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Verona?

Sofia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Verona. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Verona, 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.