Which place is cheaper, Sofia or Tbilisi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tbilisi or Sofia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tbilisi or Sofia? 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 Sofia?
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.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTbilisi $29Sofia $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Tbilisi is $29, while the average daily cost in Sofia is $64. 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 Sofia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTbilisi $13Sofia $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTbilisi $26Sofia $80
Compare Hotels in Tbilisi and Sofia
Looking for a hotel in Tbilisi or Sofia? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tbilisi $6.20Sofia $8.38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tbilisi
Also for Tbilisi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer: Yerevan-Tbilisi: $245
- From Tbilisi:Private Transfer service To Batumi: $239
- Tbilisi-Batumi Private Transfer: $220
- Transfer from Tbilisi airport to hotel and from hotel to airport : $203
- Transfer to Ski resort Bakuriani: $181
- Transfer from Tbilisi to Yerevan whith tour.: $180
- Private Transfer from Tbilisi to Gudauri : $177
- Private Effortless transfer from Tbilisi to Gudauri ski resort: $169
- 3-Day Tbilisi & Mtskheta Discovery + Airport Transfers: $159
- Private Transfer: From Tbilisi to Gudauri Ski Resort: $150
- Private Transfer: Tbilisi to Gudauri: $145
- Private Traditional Georgian Meal in a Lovely Tbilisi Home with Transfers: $144
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP Transfer from Sofia to Bansko: $184
- Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $65
- Transfer from Sofia to Pamporovo: $190
- Transfer from Sofia to Borovets: $82
- Transfer from Sofia to Bansko: $130
- Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $19
- Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko: $194
- Transfer from Sofia Airport T1 to Bansko: $101
- Transfer Services in Bulgaria: Sofia Airport and Hotel Transfers: $80
- Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $31
- Sofia to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $685
- Sofia Airport Transfers: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Tbilisi or Sofia?
Prices for flights to both Sofia 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 $8.03Sofia $18
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
- Small-Group Khinkali and Khachapuri Cooking Class in Tbilisi: $24
- Georgian Cooking Class with Khinkali and Khachapuri: $25
- Adjarian Khachapuri Making Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
- Cooking Class with a Local Family: $49
- Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $70
- Authentic Georgian Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Mother-Daughter Duo in Tbilisi: $71
- Taste of Georgia. Cooking-Class Khinkali, Khachapuri and more: $75
- Vegetarian Georgian Cooking Class: $78
- Food Tour with 9 Tastings and Wine: $88
- In Georgian Cooking Masterclass by Local: $101
- Nana's Kitchen - traditional Georgian cooking class at real Georgian family home: $110
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: $97
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tbilisi $15Sofia $5.92
Tours and Activities in Tbilisi
For Tbilisi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kakheti One Day Tour: $17
- tour in art-studio in suburb of Tbilisi,you can take memories of georgia along: $103
- "Tbilisi to Borjomi Rabati Vardzia:Full-Day GuidedGroupTour: $38
- "Tbilisi to Kazbegi, Gudauri, Ananuri Group Guided Tour": $25
- "Bodbe,Signaghi,Telavi:GuidedTour FreeWineTasting: $15
- 002 | Kakheti Wine Region Full Day Tour -Group: $25
- 1 Day Kazbegi Tour: $26
- 1 Day Tour in Dashbashi Canyon: $50
- 1 day Gudauri and Kazbegi private tour-By Travel master (Georgia): $169
- 1 day Mtskheta Tour: $26
- 13 km hike in Borjomi - Group tour from Tbilisi: $47
- 19th Century Tbilisi In a Nutshell- walking tour: $75
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
- 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave: $86
- 3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia: $81
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Small Group Day tour from Sofia: $92
- 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: $107
- Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $59
- Afternoon Delights in Sofia Tour: $75
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $59
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $60
- Audio Guide for All Sofia Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTbilisi $18Sofia $8.39
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
- Tbilisi Walking Tour Including Wine Tasting Cable Car and Bakery: $14
- Tbilisi Walking Tour with Cable Cars, Wine Tasting and Traditional Bakery: $15
- Full Day Wine Tour Bodbe , Sighnaghi , Telavi: $16
- Wine Tasting Feel the Difference of Qvevri or Classical Wine: $16
- Kakheti Day Group Tour: Free Wine Tasting: $17
- Jewish Heritage Walking Tour with Kosher Wine Tasting: $18
- Kakheti Wine Tour, Кахетия -Винный Тур: $19
- Kakheti: Sighnaghi city of love, Bodbe, Telavi, Free wine tasting: $19
- Full Day Bodbe Sighnaghi and Telavi Wine Tasting Tour: $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:
- 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
- From Rozhen monastery and Melnik with wine tasting: $98
- Private Sofia Tour with Wine Tasting: $106
- Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia: $114
- Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting: $119
- Koprivshtitsa and Starosel Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $138
- Rila Monastery Tour from Sofia - Lunch, Wine Tasting & The Unique Stob Pyramids: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tbilisi and Sofia, we can see that Sofia 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 Sofia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sofia 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 Sofia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tbilisi or Sofia?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Tbilisi. When comparing the sizes of Tbilisi and Sofia, 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.