Should you visit Tbilisi or Sofia?
Should I visit Tbilisi or Sofia? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Which city 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 $20, while the average daily cost in Sofia is $57. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Tbilisi and Sofia in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $17 in Tbilisi For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Sofia, $72 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Sofia, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $36, such as in a hostel.
Food
The average traveler spends about $5.50 per day in Tbilisi for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
The price of a meal in Sofia can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $16 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $6.40 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Tbilisi $5.50
Sofia $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tbilisi
For Tbilisi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Adjarian Khachapuri Making Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
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Traveling Spoon Georgian Dumplings Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
-
Dinner in a Georgian family plus a cooking master class:
$44
-
Private Cooking Class with a Georgian Grandmother in Tbilisi:
$62
-
Private Cooking Class with a Tbilisi Food and City Expert:
$62
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Enjoy a Traditional Georgian Cooking Class and Meal with a Local in Tbilisi:
$70
-
Authentic Georgian Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Mother-Daughter Duo in Tbilisi:
$71
-
Join a Local for a Market Tour, Cooking Class and Meal in her Tbilisi Home:
$82
-
Georgian Genuine Wine And Food Tour with Eqskursion in kakheti Region:
$90
-
Private Authentic Georgian Cooking Class with Cookbook Authors in Tbilisi:
$110
-
Kazbegi Adventure - Private Day Trip From Tbilisi with a Dinner + Masterclass:
$121
-
Private Wine Tour with Dance Show Dinner to Signagi from Tbilisi:
$182
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sofia
For Sofia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Online Traditional Bulgarian Cooking Class:
$36
-
Market Food Tour:
$44
-
Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore Show & Dinner:
$73
-
Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show:
$75
-
Private Bulgarian Cooking Class in Sofia with a Local with Hotel Transfers:
$92
-
Private Traditional Bulgarian Cooking in Central Sofia:
$98
-
Hiking The Seven Rila Lakes with option for dinner:
$111
-
Market Visit and Private Bulgarian Cooking Class in Sofia with Hotel Transfers:
$117
-
Private Sofia Evening Tour with Folklore Dinner:
$137
Local Transportation
Tbilisi's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $4.25 per person, per day on transportation in Tbilisi.
To get around in Sofia, the average visitor spends $7.45 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tbilisi
Also for Tbilisi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
3 DAYS CULTURAL TOURS-Tbilisi-Kakheti-Kazbegi with airport transfer:
$693
-
7 day Georgian Tour with Airport Transfers:
$646
-
Private Transfer: Tbilisi to Tbilisi International Airport (TBS):
$622
-
Private Transfer: Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) to Tbilisi:
$622
-
5 Day Georgian Tour With Airport Transfers:
$390
-
Transfer to Mestia:
$350
-
Transfer from Tbilisi to skiing resort Mestia:
$319
-
3 days in Georgia - private tours package from Tbilisi incl airport transfer:
$282
-
4 Days Private Tour in Georgia With Free Airport Transfers:
$237
-
Transfer from Tbilisi to Erevan:
$213
-
Transfer from Tbilisi airport to hotel and from hotel to airport:
$203
-
Tbilisi Yerevan Transfer with English Speaking Driver:
$200
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Wheelchair Accessible Airport Transfer:
$37
-
Transfers Bulgaria:
$75
-
Transfers:
$106
-
Transfer to Bucharest from Sofia:
$149
-
Transfer from Sofia Airport T1 to Bansko:
$116
-
Sofia to Sunny Beach Passenger Transfer:
$263
-
Sofia to Stara Zagora Passenger Transfer:
$151
-
Sofia to Sozopol Passenger Transfer:
$263
-
Sofia to Plovdiv Passenger Transfer:
$93
-
Sofia to Pamporovo Passenger Transfer:
$159
-
Sofia to Nessebar Passenger Transfer:
$263
-
Sofia to Golden Sands (Zlatni Pyasatsi) Passenger Transfer:
$319
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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Tbilisi can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $9.98 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
In Sofia, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $5.26 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Tbilisi
For Tbilisi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
'Uplistsikhe'-Borjomi 1 Day Tour:
$51
-
1 Day Cycling Tour at Didgori Monument (Tbilisi, Georgia):
$128
-
1 Day Kakheti Private Tour:
$36
-
1 Day Mtskheta-Uplistsikhe private Tour:
$36
-
1 Day Tour In Shiny Mountains of Kazbegi:
$161
-
1 Day Tour, Tbilisi- Mtskheta:
$32
-
1 Day Tour, of Amazing Kakheti:
$51
-
1 Full Day Kakheti Private tour:
$54
-
1 day Gudauri and Kazbegi private tour-By Travel master (Georgia):
$179
-
1-Day Kazbegi Private tour:
$36
-
10 Day Tour of Armenia and Georgia - Guaranteed Departure:
$1,795
-
10 Dayes Explore Georgia Tour:
$1,397
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
-
10 Days Bulgaria Round Tour - Urban & Sea Experience:
$895
-
11 Days Bulgaria Round Tour - Stunning Big Voyage:
$932
-
12 days Balkans Guided Tour from Sofia to Budapest:
$2,488
-
17days Balkans Tour from Sofia to Bucharest:
$3,484
-
2 Day Private Adventure Tour in Vitosha mountain from Sofia:
$288
-
21 Days Small Group Balkans Tour from Sofia:
$4,354
-
3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave:
$93
-
3-Day Bulgaria Private Mountain Biking Tour from Sofia:
$438
-
3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia:
$56
-
4 Balkan Countries and 3 Nights Cruise in Greek Islands from Sofia:
$2,725
-
4 Days Natural and Historical Wonders of the Rhodope mountain Motorcyle tour:
$695
-
5 Days Guided Motorcycle Tour Wine, Nature and Traditions:
$621
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Tbilisi spend on average $12 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Sofia, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $7.46.
Sample the Local Flavors in Tbilisi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tbilisi:
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Online Wine Tour,all about Georgian Qvevri&wine making method.Soon In real life!:
$9.00
-
ツ ✌ Tbilisi Walking Tour - City Sightseeings! Cable Car, Wine Tasting:
$10
-
Wine tasting tour in Kakheti region:
$31
-
Private Tbilisi Walking Tour including Cable Car, Wine Tasting and Old Bakery:
$33
-
Group Wine Tour to Kakheti:
$34
-
Wine tour to Kakheti:
$35
-
Wine tour of Tbilisi:
$36
-
Kakheti: Signagi, Bodbe Monastery, Wine Tour. Private tour:
$37
-
Kakheti Wine Tour, Кахетия -Винный Тур:
$37
-
Culinary & Wine tour in Kakheti region:
$43
-
Signagi-Bodbe Kakheti Wine Tour:
$43
-
Culinary and Wine Tour in Tbilisi:
$44
Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:
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Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars:
$19
-
Tipsy Pub Crawl Sofia:
$23
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An amazing 3 hours of painting and wine tasting:
$35
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Sofia Bar Crawl:
$42
-
Sofia Exquisite Wine Tasting:
$47
-
Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia:
$60
-
From Rozhen monastery and Melnik with wine tasting:
$75
-
Rila monastery- Wine tasting - Boyana church:
$75
-
Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting:
$81
-
Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Day Trip with Wine Tasting from Sofia:
$81
-
Plovdiv, day tour from Sofia and Wine tasting:
$87
-
Private Food and Wine Tour - Sofia:
$91
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.
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