Which place is cheaper, Zadar 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 Zadar?
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 Zadar can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Plovdiv or Zadar?
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.
Zadar
You'll find Zadar in northern Dalmatia, Croatia. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and is the center of Zadar County. It is both the historic center for the region and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar. There are a handful of sights around town, most of which can be explored on foot.
The climate for the city is a mix between humid subtropical and a Mediterranean climate. The winters are usually mild and wet, and the summers are humid and warm. The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Average yearly rainfall usually exceeds 917 mm. Fall months often remain warm and temperatures are often around 30 degrees Celsius as well. In general, the temperatures rarely drop below freezing, even during the coldest month of January. The rainiest months are October and November, although winter is considered the wet season. July is usually the driest month. Water temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius in July and August and it may be possible to swim any time between May and October.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Croatia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia.
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Plovdiv Prices
Bulgaria PricesZadar Prices
Croatia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlovdiv $105Zadar $129
The average daily cost (per person) in Plovdiv is $105, while the average daily cost in Zadar is $129. 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 Zadar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlovdiv $48Zadar $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlovdiv $96Zadar $120
Compare Hotels in Plovdiv and Zadar
Looking for a hotel in Plovdiv or Zadar? 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 Zadar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Plovdiv $24Zadar $11
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 from Plovdiv to Stara Zagora: $95
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Pamporovo: $98
- Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $107
- Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $107
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $113
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Borovets: $113
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $208
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zadar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zadar:
- Zrmanja River Kayaking, with optional transfer from Zadar: $66
- Private Transfers to Airports & Top Destinations: $72
- Zadar Private Transfers to or from any location: $80
- Zadar Airport to Novalja Private Transfer: $262
- Transfer from Zadar airport to Vir: $69
- Transfer From Zadar Airport to Town Zadar: $67
- Private one way transfer from Zadar to Split: $295
- Private Transfer: Zadar (Airport) to/from Biograd na moru or Crvena Luka Resort: $106
- Private Transfer from Zadar to Zagreb with 2h of Sightseeing: $237
- Private Transfer from Zadar to Split, Hotel-to-Hotel: $165
- Private Transfer from Zadar to Split with 2 hours for sightseeing: $244
- Private Transfer from Zadar Hotels to Zadar Airport: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Plovdiv or Zadar?
Prices for flights to both Zadar 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 $40Zadar $57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zadar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zadar.
- Morning Zadar Food Tour: $142
- Preko Cooking Class and Shellfishing Experience with a Local: $190
- Gourmet Sunset dinner on board: $239
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Plovdiv $17Zadar $23
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
Tours and Activities in Zadar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zadar are as follows:
- Panorama guided Zadar Eco Tuk Tuk tour: $65
- Private Sunset tour with Antares Sailing : $107
- Sunset boat Tour in Zadar: $24
- Zadar Boat Tour Half Day: $42
- Šibenik and Zadar private tour from Split or Trogir: $181
- 2 Hour Quad Buggy ATV Mountain Adventure in Starigrad: $116
- 3 Island Tour Swim and Snorkel with Drinks on Traditional Boat: $24
- 3 Islands Luxury Boat Tour with Aperol Spritz: $33
- A Self-Guided Tour of Zadar's Medieval Heart: $12
- Adrenaline Adventure on Speedboat with 3 stops and Snorkeling: $38
- Be a Local: Private Tour from Olive Harvest to Culinary Delight: $238
- Boat Tour around Zadar Islands with snorkeling during half day excursion: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlovdiv $11Zadar $14
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 Zadar
Also in Zadar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brlog Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting : $30
- Guided Speedboat Tour with Food, Oil & Wine Tasting: $42
- Craft Gin and exclusive brandies in unique distillery: $78
- City Tour with Educational Beer Tour in Brlog Brewery: $94
- City and Wine Tour in Zadar with Eco Tuk Tuk: $107
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Plovdiv and Zadar, we can see that Zadar 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 Zadar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zadar 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 Zadar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Plovdiv or Zadar?
Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Plovdiv and Zadar, 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.