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

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.


Which place is cheaper, Sofia or Tbilisi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tbilisi is $29, while the average daily cost in Sofia is $65. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tbilisi $13
    Sofia $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tbilisi $26
    Sofia $82
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.

Hotels in Tbilisi


Hotels in Sofia


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.
    Tbilisi $6.25
    Sofia $8.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tbilisi

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

  • Private trip to Jvari Kazbegi Gudauri With Airport Transfer: $285
  • Private transfer: Yerevan-Tbilisi: $250
  • Private transfer from Tbilisi to Yerevan: $250
  • From Kutaisi:Private Transfer service To Tbilisi: $245
  • From Tbilisi:Private Transfer service To Batumi: $245
  • 4 Days Private Tour in Georgia With Free Airport Transfers: $237
  • Transfer from Tbilisi airport to hotel and from hotel to airport : $203
  • Transfer from the airport, railway and bus station in Tbilisi : $200
  • Transfer to Ski resort Bakuriani: $181
  • Private Transfer from Tbilisi to Gudauri : $181
  • Transfer from Tbilisi to Yerevan whith tour.: $180
  • Tbilisi - Yerevan Private Transfer: $179

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia

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

  • VIP Transfer from Sofia to Bansko: $189
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia HTL-APT (SOF): $48
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia APT-HTL (SOF): $48
  • Transfer from the Sofia airport to your hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $24
  • Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $67
  • Transfer from Sofia to Stara Zagora: $198
  • Transfer from Sofia to Pamporovo: $194
  • Transfer from Sofia to Nessebar: $283
  • Transfer from Sofia to Burgas: $272
  • Transfer from Sofia to Borovets: $84
  • Transfer from Sofia to Bansko: $133
  • Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $20

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tbilisi $8.09
    Sofia $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
  • Georgian traditional bread "Khachapuri" master cooking class!! : $34
  • Georgian traditional dumplings "Khinkali" cooking master class!!: $34
  • Traveling Spoon Georgian Dumplings Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Adjarian Khachapuri Making Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
  • Middle East Evening with Live Singers and Dinner in Tbilisi: $40
  • Tbilisi Food Tour in a Local Family: $49
  • Tbilisi Food Tour in a Local Family: $49
  • Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $70
  • Authentic Georgian Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Mother-Daughter Duo in Tbilisi: $71

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: $48
  • Guided Night Tour & Folklore Performance with Dinner: $49
  • Half-Day Sofia Evening Walking Tour with Vegetarian Dinner: $50
  • Bulgarian Food tasting and Cooking classes: $89
  • Private Traditional Bulgarian Cooking in Central Sofia: $98
  • Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $99
  • Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $108
  • Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $110
  • Sofia by Night: Private Tour with Dinner: $120
  • Evening City Tour with Folklore Dinner: $120
  • Private Sofia Evening Tour with Folklore Dinner: $122
  • Sofia by Night Panoramic Private Tour with Dinner, Folklore Show: $133

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tbilisi $15
    Sofia $6.02

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: $22
  • Kakheti wine region - Private Tour : $72
  • Kazbegi Tour from Tbilisi 2022: $160
  • Mtskheta One Day Tour: $58
  • Private Adorable City Tour of Tbilisi: $34
  • Vardzia - Rabati - Borjomi · Full Day Private Tour · Trending Georgia: $83
  • tour in art-studio in suburb of Tbilisi,you can take memories of georgia along: $103
  • 'Uplistsikhe'-Borjomi 1 Day Tour: $50
  • "Exploring A Personalized Private Tour by Car": $98
  • "Tbilisi to Borjomi Rabati Vardzia:Full-Day GuidedGroupTour: $134

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: $117
  • Private Tour from Sofia to the Rila monatsery: $111
  • 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave: $88
  • 3 Hour Private Walking Tour in Sofia: $94
  • 3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia: $83
  • 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Small Group Day tour from Sofia: $94
  • 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery day tour from Sofia: $100
  • Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia: $15
  • Adventure Tour to Plovdiv and Rhodope Mountain: $110
  • Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $65
  • Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $61
  • Afternoon Delights in Sofia Tour: $77

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tbilisi $18
    Sofia $8.54

Sample the Local Flavors in Tbilisi

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tbilisi:

  • 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
  • Tbilisi.First impression of Tbilisi-evening walking,wine tasting: $19
  • Kakheti Wine Tour, Кахетия -Винный Тур: $19
  • Kakheti Day Group Tour: Free Wine Tasting: $20
  • Full Day Bodbe Sighnaghi and Telavi Wine Tasting Tour: $20
  • Whole day Wine Tour to Kakheti from Tbilisi: $20
  • Kakheti: Sighnaghi city of love, Bodbe, Telavi, Free wine tasting: $21
  • City Pub Crawl with welcome shots in game format: $24
  • From Kakheti Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting: $24

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: $17
  • Sofia's Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl: $20
  • Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars: $20
  • Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $33
  • Sofia Bar Crawl: $54
  • Bulgarian Prime Cuts and Wine Tour: $61
  • Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $65
  • Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $67
  • Sofia Exquisite Wine Tasting: $77
  • 1-Hour Private Cheese and Wine Tasting in Sofia : $88
  • From Rozhen monastery and Melnik with wine tasting: $100
  • Private Sofia Tour with Wine Tasting: $109


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.