Which place is cheaper, Bilbao or Sofia?
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 Sofia or Bilbao?
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 Bilbao. 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 Bilbao?
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.
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesBilbao Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Bilbao $200
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Bilbao is $200. 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 Bilbao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Bilbao $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Bilbao $170
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Bilbao
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Bilbao? 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 Bilbao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Bilbao $30
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Private Transfer from Bilbao Airport to Santander Port: $291
- Private Transfer from Bilbao city to Santander: $290
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Logroño Airport : $281
- Private Transfer from Bilbao city to Santander Airport : $277
- Private Transfer from Bilbao to Santander Port: $277
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Pamplona: $264
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Pamplona Airport : $264
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Elciego town: $229
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Laguardia town: $228
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Laguardia town: $228
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao Cruise Port: $228
- Private Transfer from Bilbao city to Bilbao Cruise Port: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Bilbao?
Prices for flights to both Bilbao 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
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Food Meals for one daySofia $35Bilbao $91
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Bilbao Food Tour with Pintxos & Drinks with a Local: $105
- Bilbao Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local: $107
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $112
- Basque Food Tour and Wine Tasting with Guide: $112
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class: $112
- Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $119
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao: $120
- The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local: $125
- Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $148
- Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $149
- Immersive Basque Cooking Class: $165
- Private Guided Street Food Tour of Bilbao: $182
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Bilbao $34
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 Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full-day private Bilbao tour (Guggenheim museum & full pintxo lunch included): $299
- Pintxos Tasting in Bilbao Small Group or Private Walking Tour: $102
- 2 Hours Private Family Guided Walking Tour in Bilbao: $215
- 4-hour Private Bilbao City Walking Tour: $213
- Alhondiga Bilbao Group Tour: $72
- Artist-Guided Tour of the Guggenheim Museum: $107
- Awesome Bilbao – Private Family Walking Tour: $473
- BILBAO-City Highlights Bike Tour: $42
- Basque Coast Tour: Vizcaya Bridge, Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Gernika: $72
- Basque Country 7-Day Guided Tour from Bilbao: $1,315
- Biarritz and French Basque coast small group tour lunch included: $285
- Bike tour with Pintxos & Drinks in Getxo (Scenic Bilbao Seaside): $66
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Bilbao $25
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Unique Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier - In Bilbao: $53
- Basque Wine Tasting with Sommelier (Bilbao): $54
- Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, Mundaka, Gernika, & Wine Tour: $70
- From La Rioja Wineries Day Trip with Wine Tastings: $75
- Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $100
- The Authentic Bilbao Pintxos, Food & Wine Tour with a Local: $118
- Basque Best Bites - #1 Food & Wine tour of Bilbao: $119
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $195
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $198
- Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $207
- Boutique Rioja Wine Tour with Charming Lunch (From Bilbao): $266
- La Rioja Boutique Wine Tour & Charming Lunch (From Bilbao): $275
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao 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 Bilbao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Bilbao?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Bilbao, 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.