Which place is cheaper, Plovdiv or Tbilisi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tbilisi or Plovdiv?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tbilisi or Plovdiv? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tbilisi or Plovdiv?
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the "Mother of Georgia." Tbilisi’s eternal charms of a dramatic setting in the deep valley of the swift Mtkvari River, picturesque architecture, an ever-lively arts and cultural scene, and the welcoming Georgian lifestyle have been added a whole new 21st-century dimension of inviting cafes and restaurants serving ever better food, up-to-date lodgings from backpacker hostels to international five-stars, interesting bars and clubs, spruced-up museums, galleries, parks, plazas and whole streets, modernized transport and a sprinkling of eye-catching contemporary architecture. The mix of modern and ancient elements makes Tbilisi the beating heart of the South Caucasus and it is well worth a visit.
Plovdiv
Located in a large, hilly plain between the Rhodope Mountains in the south of Bulgaria and the Balkan Range in the central part of the country, Plovdiv sits uniquely spread across six hills. It is one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world, dating back roughly 8,000 years. Some of its best features are its ancient ruins and historic architecture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, and The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTbilisi $29Plovdiv $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Tbilisi is $29, while the average daily cost in Plovdiv is $80. 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 Tbilisi and Plovdiv in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTbilisi $13Plovdiv $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTbilisi $26Plovdiv $88
Compare Hotels in Tbilisi and Plovdiv
Looking for a hotel in Tbilisi or Plovdiv? 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: Plovdiv Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tbilisi $6.20Plovdiv $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tbilisi
Also for Tbilisi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer: Tbilisi - Kazbegi: $60
- Transfer from the airport, railway and bus station in Tbilisi : $200
- Transfer from airport to any place in Tbilisi: $33
- Transfer from Tbilisi to skiing resort Gudauri: $61
- Transfer from Tbilisi to Yerevan whith tour.: $175
- Transfer from Tbilisi City to Tbilisi Airport: $10
- Transfer from Tbilisi Airport to the city: $35
- Transfer from Tbilisi Airport to Tbilisi: $10
- Transfer from Tbilisi Airport to Borjomi and Bakuriani.: $67
- Transfer airport Tbilisi - Gudauri: $80
- Transfer Tbilisi to Gudauri ski resort: $53
- Transfer Georgia To Armenia With Tour: $170
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plovdiv
Also for Plovdiv, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varna: Private Transfer from Varna to Plovdiv: $376
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Stara Zagora: $87
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $103
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $190
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Bansko: $134
- Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $98
- Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $98
- Sofia: Private Transfer from Sofia to Plovdiv OR vice versa: $147
- Private Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $160
- Private One-way Transfer Plovdiv Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $42
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Varna: $354
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia / vice versa: $147
Is it cheaper to fly into Tbilisi or Plovdiv?
Prices for flights to both Plovdiv and Tbilisi 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 dayTbilisi $8.03Plovdiv $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tbilisi
For Tbilisi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Natural Wine Degustation and Tasting with Georgian Dinner Option: $20
- Georgian Cooking Class with Khinkali and Khachapuri: $25
- Middle East Evening with Live Singers and Dinner in Tbilisi: $40
- Adjarian Khachapuri Making Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
- Traveling Spoon Georgian Dumplings Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Cooking Class with a Local Family: $49
- Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $70
- Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $72
- Taste of Georgia. Cooking-Class Khinkali, Khachapuri and more: $75
- Vegetarian Georgian Cooking Class: $78
- Food Tour with 9 Tastings and Wine: $88
- Full Day Tbilisi Tour with Cooking Class & Wine Tasting Activity: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tbilisi $15Plovdiv $15
Tours and Activities in Tbilisi
For Tbilisi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Borjomi city tour,Тур по Городу Боржоми: $70
- Full Day Private Tour in Vardzia, Rabati and Borjomi with Guide: $90
- Kakheti One Day Tour: $17
- Mtskheta One Day Tour: $58
- Vardzia - Rabati - Borjomi · Full Day Private Tour · Trending Georgia: $83
- 'Uplistsikhe'-Borjomi 1 Day Tour: $50
- "Tbilisi to Borjomi Rabati Vardzia:Full-Day GuidedGroupTour: $38
- "Tbilisi to Kazbegi, Gudauri, Ananuri Group Guided Tour": $16
- "Bodbe,Signaghi,Telavi:GuidedTour FreeWineTasting: $15
- 002 | Kakheti Wine Region Full Day Tour -Group: $25
- 1 Day Guided Express Shared Tour in Tbilisi in Georgia: $217
- 1 Day Kakheti Private Tour: $36
Tours and Activities in Plovdiv
For Plovdiv, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hour Private Superb Buggy Adventure: $194
- 5-Day Guided Tour to Sofia, Plovdiv and Istanbul: $486
- Bachkovo Monastery & Asen's Fortress - day tour from Plovdiv: $81
- Communist Heritage Tour- Buzludzha and The Might of the East Block Aviation: $98
- Day Tour from Plovdiv full with History, Nature & Forgotten Village Experiences: $144
- Exclusive Private Tour in the Thracian Valley from Sofia: $93
- Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv: $38
- From Bachkovo Monastery & Asen’s Fortress Tour: $81
- From Musala Peak Full-Day Trekking Tour: $130
- From Sofia - A Story of an Ancient State Day Tour: $95
- Full Day Eco Private Tour in Koprivshtitsa and Plovdiv: $134
- Full Day Eco Private Tour in Plovdiv: $91
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTbilisi $18Plovdiv $9.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Tbilisi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tbilisi:
- 3 Hours Walk Around Wine Tasting of 12 Different Wines in Tbilisi: $10
- Tbilisi.First impression of Tbilisi-evening walking,wine tasting: $11
- One-day tour of Kakheti from Tbilisi, free wine tasting: $14
- Wine Tasting Feel the Difference of Qvevri or Classical Wine: $16
- Full Day Wine Tour Bodbe , Sighnaghi , Telavi: $16
- Kakheti Day Group Tour: Free Wine Tasting: $17
- Kakheti Wine Tour, Кахетия -Винный Тур: $19
- From Tbilisi:Kakheti-Sighnaghi&Chateau 7Wine Tasting Tour: $21
- Kakheti, Signaghi, & Chateau Tour with Wine Tasting: $21
- From Kakheti Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting: $24
- City Pub Crawl with welcome shots in game format: $24
- Tbilisi City Pub Crawl: $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Plovdiv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plovdiv:
- Chateau Copsa Wine Tasting Tours & Activities: $21
- Old Town Exploring Guide Roman Ruins & Wine Tasting: $80
- Thracian Valley wine tasting - private day tour from Plovdiv: $91
- Private Day Trip From Plovdiv To Wine Cellars And Wine Tasting: $108
- From Sofia: Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Tour With Wine Tasting: $133
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tbilisi and Plovdiv, we can see that Plovdiv is more expensive. And not only is Tbilisi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tbilisi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tbilisi 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 Plovdiv would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Plovdiv than you might in Tbilisi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tbilisi Expensive? and Is Plovdiv Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tbilisi or Plovdiv?
Tbilisi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Plovdiv. When comparing the sizes of Tbilisi and Plovdiv, 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.