Which place is cheaper, Sofia or Paphos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Paphos or Sofia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Sofia, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Paphos or Sofia?
Paphos
Located on the southwestern tip of Cyprus, Paphos has many different archaeological sights and it is renowned as the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The town is situated between the coast and the Troodos Mountains and it has grown in recent years as a tourist destination. As such, the local government has made efforts to improve the quality of the tourism infrastructure including investing in hotels, restaurants and transportation. There is also a commercial center to the city as well as a newly built "promenade" that travels from the marina along a long coastal path. This route offers excellent views, especially during the morning or evening hours when the sun is low.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Cyprus, The Best Tours for Seniors to Cyprus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria.
-
Paphos Prices
Cyprus PricesSofia Prices
Bulgaria Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPaphos €125Sofia €73
The average daily cost (per person) in Paphos is €125, while the average daily cost in Sofia is €73. 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 Paphos and Sofia in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPaphos €48Sofia €38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPaphos €96Sofia €76
Compare Hotels in Paphos and Sofia
Looking for a hotel in Paphos 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.
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: Paphos Hotel Prices and Sofia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Paphos €12Sofia €7.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paphos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paphos:
- Self drive boat hire Latchi + optional Paphos hotel transfers: $298
- CO2-Offset Private Transfer Paphos Airport PFO to Nicosia City : $199
- Private Paphos Airport Transfer via Vintage Mercedes: $179
- Private Transfer from Paphos Airport to Limassol City: $101
- Ocean Vision: Show & Dance Night with buffet, open bar & transfer: $94
- Paphos Airport (PFO) to Paphos city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $86
- CO2-Offset Private Car Transfer from Paphos Airport PFO to Polis: $80
- Choirokitia & Famagusta Guided Tour with Transfers: $80
- From Nicosia Sightseeing Tour with Hotel Transfer: $70
- Private Transfer from Paphos city hotels to Limassol Cruise Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Paphos Airport to Paphos City: $51
- Private Airport Transfer from Hotel to Paphos Airport in a 4-seater taxi: $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers in Sofia: $83
- Arrival Transfer: Sofia Airport SOF to Sofia in Luxury Car: $94
- Bansko Shuttle: Transfer from/to Sofia Airport: $107
- Bansko Transfer From/to Sofia Airport and Hotels: $286
- Borovets Transfers from/to Sofia Airport: $179
- Bucharest: Private Transfer to Sofia: $219
- Departure Transfer: Sofia to Sofia Airport SOF in Luxury Van: $82
- From Plovdiv Day Tour with Transfer: $78
- From Private Transfer for SPA to Sapareva Banya: $100
- From Rila Monastery & Melnik Day Trip with Transfers: $102
- Korali Hot Spring with Private Transfers: $65
- Private Arrival Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko Ski Resort: $226
Is it cheaper to fly into Paphos or Sofia?
Prices for flights to both Sofia and Paphos 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 dayPaphos €65Sofia €30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paphos
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paphos.
- From Sunset Drink at Aphrodite's Rock & Folk Dinner: $62
- Wave Dancer Fireworks, Buffet Dinner & Show Cruise: $73
- Cyprus: Cooking Class-Mousaka, Tzatziki & Greek Salad: $88
- Moussaka Cooking Class at a Wine Village Villa in Paphos: $226
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sofia
For Sofia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1980s Communism-Era Dinner with Local Host: $35
- Market Food Tour: $55
- Cooking Class in Sourdough Pancakes, Wine & Culture: $59
- Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $116
- Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $118
- Bulgarian Food tasting, cullinary-historical tour, Cooking class: $137
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $161
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Paphos €12Sofia €5.56
Tours and Activities in Paphos
Here are a few actual costs in Paphos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Blue Lagoon Adventure at Romantic Sunset from Paphos: $42
- 100% Cyprus - Tour to Troodos mountains and villages (From Paphos) : $57
- Afternoon 2 hour tour to Adonis waterfalls only !!!: $70
- Akamas Jeep Safari Tour from Paphos: $80
- Akamas, Baths of Aphrodite and Blue Lagoon Day Tour from Paphos: $54
- Atlantis Turtle Watching Cruise & Snorkelling Adventure : $42
- Authentic Gourmet Tour with Wine and Food Tasting from Paphos: $65
- Baths of Aphrodite, Latchi and Blue Lagoon Cruise Tour: $46
- Blue Lagoon (Akamas) Bus & Boat Tour with Water Slide From Paphos: $44
- Blue Lagoon (Akamas) Bus & Boat Tour with Water Slide from Paphos: $48
- Blue Lagoon Cruise with Sightseeing from Latchi Harbour : $30
- Blue Lagoon Mediterranean One Boat Cruise from Latchi: $21
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- Rila Monastery: Monastery & Museums Self-Guided Audio Tour 7 lang: $5.95
- Self-guided Tour in the Museum of Socialist Art: $8.57
- Sofia Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- City Monuments Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $12
- Guided Walking Tour of Sofia: $12
- Sofia’s Roots: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Bulgarian Rose Aromatic Experience : $17
- Private Kayak Tour on the Pancharevo Lake: $18
- Walking tour: Communist architecture in downtown Sofia: $18
- City Highlights Sightseeing Walking Tour: $19
- Communist Walking Tour: $21
- Communist Walking Tour of Sofia: $21
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPaphos €9.98Sofia €7.87
Sample the Local Flavors in Paphos
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paphos:
- Afternoon Tour to Agios Neophytos Monastery with Wine Tasting: $44
- Paphos - Troodos Mountains 4x4 Tour with Free Wine Tasting: $70
- Troodos Mountains Jeep Tour with Wine Tasting: $73
- Wine tasting on-board the Demetris Chara BBQboat BlueLagoon tours: $89
- Local Wineries Tour with Wine Tastings: $111
- Troodos Mountains Vino Venture: All Inclusive Full Day Wine Tour: $138
- Private Wine Tour with Tastings and Winery Visits: $762
Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:
- Sofia's Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl: $24
- Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars: $24
- Wine and Tapas Boutique Bulgarian Wine Tasting : $29
- Wine and Tapas - Bulgarian's Wine Tasting Experience: $29
- Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $36
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $46
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $46
- Wine Tasting: Bulgarian Wine Grape Varieties: $48
- From Rozhen monastery and Melnik with wine tasting: $107
- Sofia – Kazanluk Rose Valley & Oil Distillery Tour: $115
- Plovdiv Old Town & Thracian Wine Tasting – Day Tour from Sofia: $137
- Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting: $173
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paphos and Sofia, we can see that Paphos is more expensive. And not only is Sofia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sofia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sofia 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 Paphos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paphos than you might in Sofia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Paphos Expensive? and Is Sofia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Paphos or Sofia?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos 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.
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.