Which place is cheaper, Zagreb or Sofia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sofia or Zagreb?
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 Zagreb. 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 Zagreb?
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.
Zagreb
Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $64Zagreb $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Zagreb is $82. 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 Zagreb in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $40Zagreb $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $80Zagreb $102
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Zagreb
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Zagreb? 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 Zagreb Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $8.38Zagreb $9.69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer from Sofia Airport: $48
- Airport Transfers in Bulgaria: $65
- Bansko Transfer From/to Sofia Airport and Hotels: $260
- Bansko Transfer from/to Sofia Airport: $173
- Be Eco: Sofia Airport Transfer with an Electric Vehicle: $53
- Borovets Transfers from/to Sofia Airport: $103
- Departure Transfer: Sofia to Sofia Airport SOF in Luxury Car: $86
- 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: $446
- From Private Transfer to Plovdiv: $96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- private transfer from Trogir/Split to Zagreb via Plitvice: $1,747
- Private transfer from Zagreb to Vienna: $927
- Private transfer from Zagreb to Budapest: $927
- Private Transfer Zagreb-Split: $738
- Private Transfer from Split to Zagreb via Plitvice & Rastoke: $639
- Private Transfer Tour from Zagreb - Split via Plitvice Lakes: $601
- Private transfer from/to Zagreb to/from Split: $565
- Private Transfer from Split to Zagreb with stop at Plitvice: $554
- Zagreb to Budapest Private Transfer by Minivan: $532
- Private Transfer Zagreb-Zadar: $526
- From Sarajevo: One-Way Transfer to Zagreb & Plitvice Lakes: $426
- Sarajevo: 1-Way Private Transfer to Zagreb or opposite: $373
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Zagreb?
Prices for flights to both Zagreb 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 $18Zagreb $18
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: $96
- 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 Zagreb
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $74
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $75
- Croatian cuisine cooking class with Dolac market tour: $136
- Private Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $144
- Private Food Tour with Tastings: $173
- Wine & Food tour of Plešivica near Zagreb: $948
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $5.92Zagreb $13
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.61
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Sofia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $7.86
- Guided Walking Tour of Sofia: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- 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
- Self-Guided Tour in Sofia: $15
- Private Kayak Tour on the Pancharevo Lake: $16
- Communist Walking Tour: $18
- Communist Walking Tour of Sofia: $18
Tours and Activities in Zagreb
Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private eclectic experience of Rastoke and Plitvice Lakes National Park: $163
- Zagreb History Walking Tour: $31
- (180min) Zagreb Leisure Tour-more ride up to the Mirogoj cemetery: $106
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Zagreb City with Guide (up to 10): $152
- 2-Hour Unveiling A Captivating History Tour: $107
- 4 Day Touristic Adventure from Zagreb: $2,441
- 4-hour Private Zagreb & the Mountain Tour in a Yugo car: $114
- All-Inclusive Day Tour Zagreb-Rastoke-Plitvice Lakes-Split: $1,064
- Back to Yugoslavia Private City Tour in Old-Timer Yugo Car: $92
- Baroque Varaždin and Trakošćan Castle Private Tour: $190
- Beautiful Christmas in Zagreb - Walking Tour: $198
- Beautiful Christmas in Zagreb - Walking Tour: $430
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $8.39Zagreb $9.49
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: $19
- Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $33
- Sofia Bar Crawl: $53
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $59
- Sofia Exquisite Wine Tasting: $75
- 1-Hour Private Cheese and Wine Tasting in Sofia : $86
- Private Sofia Tour with Wine Tasting: $107
- Private Sofia City Tour with Wine Tasting: $108
- Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia: $114
- Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting: $119
Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb
Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Zagreb Pub Crawl: $16
- Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $32
- Zagreb Wine Tasting & Jarun Lake Tour: $75
- Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $197
- Private Wine Tasting Tour from Zagreb: $206
- Plesivica Region Wine Tasting Half-day Tour : $271
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Zagreb, we can see that Zagreb 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 Zagreb would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zagreb 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 Zagreb Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Zagreb?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Zagreb. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Zagreb, 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.