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

Should you visit Sofia or Yangon?

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 Yangon. 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 Yangon?

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.

Yangon

Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.

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


Which place is cheaper, Yangon or Sofia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $65, while the average daily cost in Yangon is $63. 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 Yangon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $41
    Yangon $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $82
    Yangon $62
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Yangon

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Yangon? 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 Yangon


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $8.47
    Yangon $2.39

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 from Sofia City to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $42
  • Private transfer: Sofia Airport (SOF) to Sofia: $47
  • Private Guided Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko Ski Resort with a Rila Monastery visit: $51
  • Private Transfer from/to Sofia Airport : $54
  • Be Eco: Sofia Airport Transfer with an Electric Vehicle: $54
  • Private Transfer from Sofia Airport SOF to Sofia in Business Car: $54
  • Sofia Airport SOF Private Transfer to Sofia City in Business Car: $54
  • From Koprivshtitsa & Historic Homes Tour w/ Transfer: $54
  • Private Airport Transfer from/to Sofia Bulgaria: $55
  • Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Borovets: $63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:

  • Yangon Airport (RGN): Private Transfer to/from Yangon City: $41
  • Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $40
  • Yangon Airport Private Transfer : $27
  • Private Hotel Transfers to or from YIA Airport: $25
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
  • Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer : $20
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) to Hotel: $14
  • Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
  • Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer : $8.54

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Yangon?

Prices for flights to both Yangon 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
    Yangon $9.72

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
  • Half-Day Sofia Evening Walking Tour with Vegetarian Dinner: $49
  • Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $98
  • Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $107
  • Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $109
  • Guided Night Tour & Folklore Performance with Dinner: $118
  • 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: $132

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon

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

  • Morning Yangon Food Tour: $24
  • Yangon morning food tour with train ride : $27
  • Yangon Street Food Tours: $28
  • Cooking Myanmar Food and Explore Dala: $46
  • Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
  • Half day Cooking Course in Yangon: $90

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $5.98
    Yangon -

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: $3.84
  • Rila Monastery: Monastery & Museums Self-Guided Audio Tour 7 lang: $5.48
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.61
  • Self-guided tour of Boyana Church: $7.68
  • Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.73
  • Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Self-guided Tour in the Museum of Socialist Art: $7.90
  • 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
  • Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia: $15

Tours and Activities in Yangon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:

  • 3-day Yangon Sightseeing & Shopping : $296
  • Adventure Half-day visit in Yangon : $37
  • Adventure Half-day visit in Yangon including Shwedagon Pagoda: $39
  • An Ancient Wonder of Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda 2D1N Tour (The Golden Rock): $256
  • Bagan Cultrue Tour : $50
  • Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
  • Bagan Temples Tour by Private car and Tour guide.: $46
  • Bago Full-Day Private Tour from Yangon: $110
  • Bago Full-Day Private Tour from Yangon: $129
  • Bago by Train: Full-day sightseeing tour: $117
  • Best Yangon City Tour with Experience English Speaking Guide: $142
  • Burmese Antiques Heritage Shopping Tour: $87

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $8.48
    Yangon -

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: $76
  • 1-Hour Private Cheese and Wine Tasting in Sofia : $87
  • Private Sofia Tour with Wine Tasting: $108
  • Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia: $115
  • Private Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Sofia: $120
  • Koprivshtitsa and Starosel Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $140


When comparing the travel costs between Sofia and Yangon, we can see that Sofia is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Sofia is in Europe and Yangon is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sofia Expensive? and Is Yangon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Yangon?

Yangon has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sofia. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Yangon, 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.