Which place is cheaper, Plovdiv or Lesbos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Lesbos or Plovdiv?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lesbos and Plovdiv. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lesbos or Plovdiv?
Lesbos
Lesbos, the third-largest Greek island, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and authentic Greek culture. Visiting Lesbos doesn't have to break the bank. Budget accommodations can be found for as low as €25-40 per night in the off-season and €40-60 during peak months. For affordable meals, seek out local tavernas away from tourist hotspots. The villages of Petra and Molyvos offer authentic dining experiences at reasonable prices, and many tavernas provide daily specials ("mezedes") that are both delicious and economical.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, and The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria.
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Lesbos Prices
Greece PricesPlovdiv Prices
Bulgaria Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLesbos €276Plovdiv €89
The average daily cost (per person) in Lesbos is €276, while the average daily cost in Plovdiv is €89. 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 Lesbos and Plovdiv in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLesbos €117Plovdiv €41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLesbos €234Plovdiv €82
Compare Hotels in Lesbos and Plovdiv
Looking for a hotel in Lesbos 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.
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: Lesbos Hotel Prices and Plovdiv Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lesbos €61Plovdiv €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: $70
- Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $107
- Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $107
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Borovets: $113
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $208
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Pamporovo: $98
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $113
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Stara Zagora: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Lesbos or Plovdiv?
Prices for flights to both Plovdiv and Lesbos 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 dayLesbos €119Plovdiv €34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lesbos €37Plovdiv €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: $15
- Plovdiv Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Old Town Guided Walking Tour & Audioguide & Museum: $18
- Guided Walking Tour: $18
- Audio Guide for All Haskovo & Kardjali Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $23
- Plovdiv guided walking tour: $23
- Plovdiv Walking Tour To Old Town And Ancient Roman Landmarks: $24
- Private Virtual Tour in Plovdiv with a Local Guide: $35
- Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv: $42
- Food Walk Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour: $42
- Audio Guide for All Rhodope Mountain Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $46
- Private Plovdiv Walking Tour: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLesbos €23Plovdiv €8.98
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 Lesbos and Plovdiv, we can see that Lesbos 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 Lesbos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lesbos 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 Lesbos Expensive? and Is Plovdiv Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lesbos or Plovdiv?
Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Lesbos. When comparing the sizes of Lesbos 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.
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.