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

Should you visit Plovdiv or Dubrovnik?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Plovdiv and Dubrovnik can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Plovdiv or Dubrovnik?

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.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Dubrovnik or Plovdiv?

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 Plovdiv is $105, while the average daily cost in Dubrovnik is $142. 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 Plovdiv and Dubrovnik in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Plovdiv $48
    Dubrovnik $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Plovdiv $96
    Dubrovnik $118
Compare Hotels in Plovdiv and Dubrovnik

Looking for a hotel in Plovdiv or Dubrovnik? 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 Plovdiv


Hotels in Dubrovnik


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 and Dubrovnik Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Plovdiv $24
    Dubrovnik $15

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:


  • Bus Around Town
    $1.67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik

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

  • Zagreb to VIP Transfer with Your Choice of Tours: $848
  • Transfers up to 3 persons to or from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik: $63
  • Transfers to and from Ston area to and from Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik airport: $186
  • Transfers from Dubrovnik : $72
  • Transfer to from Slano up to 7 persons to or from Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik APT: $120
  • Transfer from the airport to the Dubrovnik: $59
  • Transfer from Dubrovnik airport or Dubrovnik to Sun Gardens, Trsteno or Brsečine: $118
  • Transfer from Dubrovnik Airport to Dubrovnik: $72
  • Transfer Dubrovnik to Split with Sightseeing in Ston Town: $294
  • Transfer Dubrovnik > Bosnia: Sarajevo / Mostar / Jajce / Trebinje / Pocitelj etc: $52
  • Taxi transfer from Dubrovnik to Mostar Bosnia and Herzegovina: $262
  • Taxi transfer from Dubrovnik to Međugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina: $239

Is it cheaper to fly into Plovdiv or Dubrovnik?

Prices for flights to both Dubrovnik and Plovdiv 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
    Plovdiv $40
    Dubrovnik $67

Typical Food Prices in Dubrovnik

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik

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

  • Sunset Dinner Cruise around the Old Town: $82
  • Gastro Cruise | Dinner and Boat ride around Dubrovnik Old Town: $93
  • Dinner in the Sky Dubrovnik - Dine 50m above ground: $101
  • Dinner in the Sky Dubrovnik: $114
  • Secret Food Tours in Dubrovnik: $118
  • Secrets of traditional Dalmatian cuisine with a cooking class: $140
  • Croatian Traditional Cuisine: Peka Cooking Lesson: $143
  • Old Town Food Tour: $157
  • Dubrovnik Old Town Food Tour: Small-Group Experience: $168
  • Eat Like A Local On A Food Tour: $180
  • Authentic Garden to Table Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside : $208
  • Konavle Wine& History&food Tour: $226

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Plovdiv $17
    Dubrovnik $22

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubrovnik

For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)
    $16
  • Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)
    $62
  • Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)
    $53

Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik

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

  • 1H Sunset cruise around the Old Town Dubrovnik: $30
  • Brand New Mercan Excursion 34 Private Tour From Dubrovnik Cavtat: $275
  • Flavours of Konavle: Wine, Food & Village Life Experience: $239
  • Montenegro Bay Cruise with Lunch on the Boat from Koločep: $131
  • Speed Boat Private Tour From Cavtat/Dubrovnik: $298
  • 'Game of Thrones' Walking Tour in Dubrovnik: $76
  • 1.5-Hour Walking Tour of Dubrovnik's Old Town: $27
  • 2 Hours Private Dubrovnik City Walls Walking Tour : $165
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Mlini: $60
  • 3-Hour Dubrovnik Countryside ATV/Quad Safari Adventure Tour: $131
  • 3-Hour Private Fort Lovrijenac and City Walls Tour with a Local Guide: $78
  • 4 Hours Caves, Snorkeling and Swimming Tour in Dubrovnik: $93

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Plovdiv $11
    Dubrovnik $16

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubrovnik

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:

  • Dubrovnik Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting : $42
  • Panoramic Dubrovnik Tour Golden Hour Sunset and Wine Tasting: $46
  • Sunset and Wine / Dubrovnik Sunset Tour and Premium Wine Tasting : $54
  • Brewery Tour with Food included: $66
  • Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $70
  • Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $72
  • Sunset Wine Tasting At Panorama Point: $74
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Xperience: $80
  • Ston and Korcula Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $83
  • Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $83
  • Luxury Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting: $84
  • Wine Tour - Get to know local grapes: $84


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Plovdiv and Dubrovnik, we can see that Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubrovnik 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 Plovdiv Expensive? and Is Dubrovnik Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Plovdiv or Dubrovnik?

Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Plovdiv and Dubrovnik, 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.