A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bodrum vs. Plovdiv for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bodrum 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 Bodrum 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: Bodrum or Plovdiv?

Bodrum

Bodrum is a city on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretching from Turkey's southwest coast into the Aegean Sea. The city features twin bays with views of Bodrum Castle. This medieval fortress was built partly with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed in the 4th century B.C. The city is also a gateway for nearby beach towns and resorts. Although more than a million tourists flock to its beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and clubs each summer, the town of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside getaway, it has an enigmatic elegance that pervades it. The evocative castle and the ancient ruins around town also help keep Bodrum a discerning step above the rest.

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


Which place is cheaper, Plovdiv or Bodrum?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bodrum is $86, while the average daily cost in Plovdiv is $105. 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 Bodrum and Plovdiv in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bodrum $38
    Plovdiv $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bodrum $76
    Plovdiv $96
Compare Hotels in Bodrum and Plovdiv

Looking for a hotel in Bodrum 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 Bodrum


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: Bodrum Hotel Prices and Plovdiv Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bodrum $19
    Plovdiv $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodrum

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

  • İzmir Airport - Kuşadası / İzmir Center : Private Transfer: $31
  • Turgutreis Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $96
  • Torba Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $72
  • Private Transfer from Bodrum Milas Airport (BJV) to Bodrum Port: $50
  • Private Milas-Bodrum Airport Transfers to Hotels: $78
  • Private Bodrum Airport Transfer in Turkiye: $48
  • Private Arrival/Departure Milas-Bodrum Airport(BJV) Transfer: $59
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bodrum Airport to Marmaris Hotels: $119
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bodrum Airport to Central Bodrum or Bodrum Peninsula Hotels: $48
  • Private Airport Transfer from Bodrum airport to Kusadasi: $300
  • Ortakent Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $90
  • Off-Road Jeep Safari Tour in Bodrum with Lunch & Transfer: $102

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plovdiv

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

  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $208
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $113
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Borovets: $113
  • Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $107
  • Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $107
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Pamporovo: $98
  • Transfer from Plovdiv to Stara Zagora: $95
  • Private One-way Transfer Plovdiv Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Bodrum or Plovdiv?

Prices for flights to both Plovdiv and Bodrum 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
    Bodrum $33
    Plovdiv $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bodrum

For Bodrum, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Turkish Cooking Class in a Local Home: $70
  • Christmas Dinner at Karnas Vineyards: $114
  • Farmers Market visit & Turkish Cooking Class: $143
  • Market Visit and Cooking Class: $152
  • Bodrum Cooking Class: $191
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour in Bodrum With Dinner: $202
  • Food and Wine pairing Dinner at Karnas Vineyards Bodrum: $209
  • Sunset Boat Trip including Dinner: $239
  • 3-Hour Private Sunset Boat Tour With Dinner in Bodrum: $243
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour with Optional Dinner: $388
  • From Private Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner & Swimming: $410
  • Private Sunset Yacht Tour with light Dinner: $528

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bodrum $25
    Plovdiv $17

Tours and Activities in Bodrum

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bodrum.

  • Boat Tour to Orak Island: $33
  • Private Bodrum City Tour for Cruisers: $75
  • Ölüdeniz: Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley & Lunch Boat Tour: $62
  • Bibical Gems of Ephesus Tour from Yalıkavak Marina or Bodrum Port: $149
  • Boattrip to Bodrum Maledives for Virgin Cruise Passengers: $41
  • Bodrum Aquapark Entry Ticket : $55
  • Bodrum Aquarium Bay Tour with Lunch & Swimming Stops: $37
  • Bodrum Atv Safari Tour: $64
  • Bodrum Boat Tour with Lunch: Beaches and Islands: $28
  • Bodrum City Tour : Lunch Guide Entry fees included: $217
  • Bodrum Cleopatra & Orak Island Mix Tour by Boat: $36
  • Bodrum Fullday Private Tour with Licenced Guide & Dlx Van: $190

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: $213
  • 3-Day Monastery Tour: Rila, Bachkovo & Rozhen from Sofia: $351
  • Audio Guide for All Haskovo & Kardjali Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $23
  • Audio Guide for All Rhodope Mountain Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $46
  • Bachkovo Monastery & Asen's Fortress - day tour from Plovdiv: $95
  • Communist Heritage Tour- Buzludzha and The Might of the East Block Aviation: $107
  • Day Tour from PLOVDIV - Thracian civilization & wine traditions: $184
  • Day Tour from Nature & forgotten village experiences: $158
  • E-Motorcycle Tour in Rhodope Mountains to a Beautiful Canyon View: $119
  • Exclusive Private Tour in the Thracian Valley from Sofia: $102
  • Food Walk Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour: $42
  • Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv: $42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bodrum $11
    Plovdiv $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Bodrum

Also in Bodrum, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Looms & Vines: Turkish Rug Heritage and Boutique Wine Tasting: $180

Sample the Local Flavors in Plovdiv

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plovdiv:

  • Chateau Copsa Wine Tasting Tours & Activities: $23
  • Bulgarian Wine Tasting Experience in the Center of Plovdiv : $27
  • Food and Wine Tour: $60
  • Thracian Valley wine tasting - private day tour from Plovdiv: $107
  • Private Day Trip From Plovdiv To Wine Cellars And Wine Tasting: $118
  • Half-Day of Horseback Adventure with Wine Tasting: $183


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bodrum and Plovdiv, we can see that Plovdiv is more expensive. And not only is Bodrum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bodrum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bodrum 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 Bodrum.

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


Which is Bigger, Bodrum or Plovdiv?

Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Bodrum. When comparing the sizes of Bodrum 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.