Which place is cheaper, Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux?
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 Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux?
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.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the place to go for fine wines. It's a very mellow, cultural city where you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a quaint cafe or restaurant without being rushed. The city is the capital of Gironde, and the entire metropolitan area has over one million residents. The city also has a rather large and vibrant university and the population is known to be very tolerant and liberal. There is a very strong artistic vibe in the city and, due to it's history of English rule, there is an English flair to the area. The large student population means that there is no shortage of opportunities to see shows, hear music, or visit a museum.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesBordeaux Prices
France Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Bordeaux $183
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Bordeaux is $183. 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 Bordeaux in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Bordeaux $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Bordeaux $148
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Bordeaux
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Bordeaux? 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 Bordeaux Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Bordeaux $18
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 Bordeaux
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bordeaux:
- Airport to Bordeaux Premium Class Private Transfer: $299
- Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Van Business: $257
- Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Business Sedan: $198
- Private Transfer from Bordeaux Airport to City of Bordeaux: $197
- Private Transfer from Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport: $162
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Car: $149
- Airport Transfer: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Luxury Car: $149
- Departure Transfer: Bordeaux to Airport BOD by Luxury Van: $119
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $118
- Arrival Private Transfers : Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Luxury Van: $118
- Departure Transfer: Bordeaux to Airport BOD by Business Car: $113
- Arrival Transfer: Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Business Car: $112
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Bordeaux?
Prices for flights to both Bordeaux 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 $35Bordeaux $92
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 Bordeaux
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bordeaux.
- Bordeaux food tour: sweet specialities & highlights: $26
- Best of French Chocolate and Pastries Food Tour: $58
- Bordeaux - sweet food tour of the old city: $65
- Bordeaux : Afternoon Food Tour with local delicacies: $69
- Afternoon Food Tour in Bordeaux : Local delicacies : $71
- No Diet Club : Bordeaux Food Tour in Les Chartrons !: $73
- NO DIET CLUB - Unique food tour in Bordeaux !: $74
- No Diet Club : Bordeaux Food Tour in Bordeaux center !: $75
- Morning Market Food Tour: $82
- Bordeaux : Morning Market Food Tour: $90
- Bordeau: Chartrons Morning Food Tour: $106
- Bordeaux Chartrons Food Tour Wine, Pastries and Bistro Lunch: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Bordeaux $26
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 Bordeaux
Here are a few actual costs in Bordeaux for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Bordeaux by bicycle: a 3-hour tour immersive experience": $36
- Free Walking Bordeaux Tour ENG + 1 glass of wine (Tip based): $3.59
- 2 hours - Bordeaux Private tour with a native guide: $179
- 2-Hour Bordeaux Electric Scooter Tour: $54
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of the City’s Iconic Sights and History: $17
- Aperitive guided cruise « Wine and Canelé »: $22
- Best : Bordeaux Walking Tour + 1 Wine glass: $0.59
- Best : Bordeaux walking tour in Eng + Glass of Wine (Tip based): $1.80
- Best of Wine, Cheese, Pastries & Food Walking Tour: $118
- Blending workshop and tour of the chateau: $47
- Blind Tasting: 4 Bordeaux Natural Wine + Cheese experience: $31
- Bordeaux - Free Walking Tour in English (Tip-Based): $3.61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Bordeaux $30
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 Bordeaux
Also in Bordeaux, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine and Trade Museum Entry Ticket & Wine Tasting: $14
- Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum Admission Ticket with Wine Tasting: $14
- Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting: $18
- Château Olivier: One Hour Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting: $24
- Cité du Vin Entry Ticket and Wine Tasting: $26
- Taillan-Médoc: Château Visit and Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: $29
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $32
- Unusual wine tasting in DARWIN (Bordeaux)!: $33
- Local Wine Tasting with Wine Store Owner: $37
- Bordeaux wine tasting workshop with food and wine pairings: $41
- Bordeaux Wine Tasting Experience w/ Local Expert: $42
- Blind wine tasting - discover wine differently: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Bordeaux, we can see that Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Bordeaux?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Bordeaux, 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.