A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Thiva (Thebes) vs. Plovdiv for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Thiva (Thebes) or Plovdiv?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Thiva (Thebes) and Plovdiv can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Thiva (Thebes) or Plovdiv?

Thiva (Thebes)

The City of Thiva (Thebes in ancient times) is a place built on top of history. Dating back to its powerful city-state status in the 4th Century BC, the city was home to legends like Hercules and Dionysus, and laid basis to the famous story of Oedipus as well. Following the Trojan War, Thiva had reached its golden age as a dominant city of the Boeotia region. The glory however was short to last. Around 335 BC, Thiva was all but destroyed by Alexander the Great for siding with the Persians under Xerxes against Athens.

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 Greece, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, and The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria.


Which place is cheaper, Plovdiv or Thiva (Thebes)?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Thiva (Thebes) is €127, while the average daily cost in Plovdiv is €75. 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 Thiva (Thebes) and Plovdiv in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Thiva (Thebes) 61
    Plovdiv 41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Thiva (Thebes) 122
    Plovdiv 82
Compare Hotels in Thiva (Thebes) and Plovdiv

Looking for a hotel in Thiva (Thebes) 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.

Hotels in Thiva (Thebes)


Hotels in Plovdiv


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Thiva (Thebes) 37
    Plovdiv 21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plovdiv

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

  • Private One-way Transfer Plovdiv Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $43
  • Private Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $162
  • Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $99
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $193
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $105

Is it cheaper to fly into Thiva (Thebes) or Plovdiv?

Prices for flights to both Plovdiv and Thiva (Thebes) 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
    Thiva (Thebes) 41
    Plovdiv 20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Thiva (Thebes) 26
    Plovdiv 14

Tours and Activities in Plovdiv

For Plovdiv, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Plovdiv Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $15
  • Plovdiv Private City Walking Tour Old Town & Ancient Stadium: $19
  • Self-Guided Hiking Tour of the Smolyan Lakes: $21
  • Guided Walking Tour: $22
  • Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $22
  • Plovdiv guided walking tour: $22
  • Local Adventures in the Rhodope Mountains: $32
  • Private Virtual Tour in Plovdiv with a Local Guide: $32
  • Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv: $39
  • Plovdiv - Private walking tour: $41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Thiva (Thebes) 18
    Plovdiv 8.99

Sample the Local Flavors in Plovdiv

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plovdiv:

  • Chateau Copsa Wine Tasting Tours & Activities: $21
  • Plovdiv Exquisite Wine Tasting: $65
  • Thracian Valley wine tasting - private day tour from Plovdiv: $93
  • Private Day Trip From Plovdiv To Wine Cellars And Wine Tasting: $109
  • From Sofia: Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Tour With Wine Tasting: $122


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Thiva (Thebes) and Plovdiv, we can see that Thiva (Thebes) is more expensive. And not only is Plovdiv much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plovdiv would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plovdiv 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 Thiva (Thebes) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thiva (Thebes) than you might in Plovdiv.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Thiva (Thebes) Expensive? and Is Plovdiv Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Thiva (Thebes) or Plovdiv?

Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Thiva (Thebes). When comparing the sizes of Thiva (Thebes) 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.