Which place is cheaper, Heidelberg or Plovdiv?
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 Plovdiv or Heidelberg?
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 Heidelberg can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Plovdiv or Heidelberg?
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.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is a top travel destination in Germany. It's picturesquely situated in the Neckar River Valley and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city has a population of over 148,000 and it's home to Germany's oldest university, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, which has a student population of approximately 28,000.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.
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Plovdiv Prices
Bulgaria PricesHeidelberg Prices
Germany Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlovdiv $105Heidelberg $198
The average daily cost (per person) in Plovdiv is $105, while the average daily cost in Heidelberg is $198. 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 Heidelberg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlovdiv $48Heidelberg $109
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlovdiv $96Heidelberg $218
Compare Hotels in Plovdiv and Heidelberg
Looking for a hotel in Plovdiv or Heidelberg? 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: Plovdiv Hotel Prices and Heidelberg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Plovdiv $24Heidelberg $20
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heidelberg
Also for Heidelberg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Private Transfer from Mannheim to Frankfurt : $248
- Badenweiler to Basel Airport (BSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- Airport transfer from Karlsruhe Airport to Baden-Baden: $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Plovdiv or Heidelberg?
Prices for flights to both Heidelberg 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
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Food Meals for one dayPlovdiv $40Heidelberg $76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heidelberg
For Heidelberg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Frauenbad Magic Dinner with Chris Stark (DE & EN): $155
- Craft Beer and Street Food Tour: $762
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Plovdiv $17Heidelberg $13
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
Tours and Activities in Heidelberg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Heidelberg.
- 2 1/2h Guided Bicycle Tour Discover Heidelberg: $51
- Alternative Heidelberg Tour.: $82
- Beer and Old Town Tour: $215
- Best of Heidelberg Private Walk Tour with Professional Guide: $270
- Bicycle Tour from Heidelberg to quaint Ladenburg.: $167
- Brunch buffet at the Frauenbad Heidelberg – enjoyment meets experience: $69
- Culinary city tour in Heidelberg with delicious samples: $47
- E.Bike Tours around Heidelberg: $197
- EXPRESS TOUR of Historic Heidelberg - The Highlights in 1 h: $211
- Evening Heidelberg tour with historical night watchman: $19
- Fairytale Heidelberg Castle Tour: $82
- Fascinating Heidelberg Sightseeing Walking Tour : $66
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlovdiv $11Heidelberg $20
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 Heidelberg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Heidelberg:
- Pub crawl through the old town, drinks included: $41
- Private pub crawl with insider-guide & shots: $334
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Plovdiv and Heidelberg, we can see that Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Plovdiv or Heidelberg?
Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Plovdiv and Heidelberg, 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.