Should you visit Sofia or Amalfi?
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 Sofia and Amalfi. 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: Sofia or Amalfi?
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.
Amalfi
The town of Amalfi is at the heart of the Amalfi Coast, a region of Italy known for dramatic coastline, ritzy hotels, delicious food, and warm weather. Amalfi was the capital of a small republic in the middle ages known as the Duchy of Amalfi, when it dominated the seas by trade and power. Later, in the early 20th century, the town and the region became known as a place where wealthy travelers would spend their vacations.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.
Which place is cheaper, Amalfi or Sofia?
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 Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Amalfi is $289. 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 Sofia and Amalfi in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Amalfi? 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:
Sofia Hotel Prices and
Amalfi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amalfi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amalfi:
-
Bus
$4.69
-
Train to Naples
$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amalfi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amalfi:
-
Private Transfer by Van form Amalfi to Sorrento:
$299
-
Transfer From Praiano to Naples (1 to 8 PAX):
$287
-
Private Transfer from Amalfi to Naples Airport ,Naples station:
$275
-
Transfer from Maiori to Naples :
$274
-
Private transfer from Salerno to Amalfi:
$269
-
Tours and Transfers:
$268
-
Transfer from Amalfi Caost everywhere to Naples area:
$247
-
Transfer from Positano to Naples or Vice Versa:
$246
-
Transfer Amalfi - Naples:
$227
-
Private Transfers for Wheelchair Accessible :
$227
-
Private Transfer - Amalfi to Naples with 2h of Sightseeing: Vesuvius or Pompeii:
$223
-
Transfer from/to Naples and from/to Salerno airport:
$215
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Amalfi?
Prices for flights to both Amalfi and Sofia 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
Sofia $35
Amalfi $126
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
Typical Food Prices in Amalfi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amalfi:
-
Dinner
$41
-
Snacks
$4.69
-
Bread
$1.17
-
Dinner
$48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amalfi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amalfi.
-
Hands-On Pizza Making Class & Farmhouse Tour with Sea Views :
$66
-
OnLine Genuine Cooking Class:
$81
-
Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Cava de' Tirreni:
$102
-
Cortecorbo winery: Pizza Cooking class, lunch & wine tasting :
$120
-
Authentic Cooking with Locals: Meal, Wine & Scenic Views :
$146
-
Hands-On Cooking Class & Farmhouse Tour on the Amalfi Coast:
$154
-
Cooking Class on the Amalfi Coast with Tasting Included:
$155
-
Amalfi Coast experience: Lemons' Pathway and dinner:
$158
-
I offer cooking lesson of Amalfi tradition:
$167
-
Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Agropoli:
$174
-
Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting:Vietri Sul Mare:
$174
-
Cooking class: Pasta & Tiramisù with lunch in Amalfi Coast!:
$178
Entertainment
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
Tours and Activities in Amalfi
Here are a few actual costs in Amalfi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
4 hours Boat Tour: Amalfi Coast Snorkeling and Limoncello Testing:
$143
-
6 Hours Amalfi Coast Kayak Experience:
$95
-
AMALFI COAST and LI GALLI "8h Boat TOUR" from Salerno:
$275
-
AMALFI Easy Boat Tour from Salerno with Lunch:
$226
-
Amalfi Coast & Positano: Boat Tour with Snorkeling & Drinks:
$106
-
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour Small Group All Inclusive:
$253
-
Amalfi Coast Boat tour Small Group:
$186
-
Amalfi Coast Kayak & Snorkeling Tour to the Pandora's Cave :
$60
-
Amalfi Coast Kayak Tour: Explore Caves, Arches & Hidden Beaches:
$71
-
Amalfi Coast Tour - Scooter Rental:
$84
-
Amalfi Coast at Your Pace: The Essential Self-Guided Tour:
$4.77
-
Amalfi Coast group tour DA Amalfi:
$161
Alcohol
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Amalfi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Amalfi from other travelers:
Sample the Local Flavors in Amalfi
Also in Amalfi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Tenuta San Francesco Wine Tasting:
$84
-
Sunsets Wine Tasting at Tagliafierro Winery:
$90
-
Wine tasting at the Apicella winery:
$102
-
Wine Tasting Cantina Apicella with lunch:
$203
-
Half-Day Irpinia Wine Tour from SALERNO:
$211
-
Amalfi Coast vintage tour with cheese and wine tastings:
$251
-
Pompeii and Wine Tasting from Amalfi Coast:
$286
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi 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 Amalfi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amalfi 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 Sofia Expensive? and Is Amalfi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Amalfi?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Amalfi, 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.
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