Which place is cheaper, Bruges 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 Bruges?
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 Bruges. 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 Bruges?
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.
Bruges
Located in the northern part of Belgium, in Flanders, Bruges is one of the most charming and well preserved cities in Europe. With its stone streets and charming shops, it is a postcard perfect city that seems to have jumped out of the pages of a Disney fairytale. The city itself is quite compact, adding to the charm and making it easily walkable. Even given its old world charm, it manages to present a cosmopolitan air as well. There's an active nightlife, but during the day the historical city center is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. You can take a carriage ride through the cobblestone streets or you can wander around on your own. Be sure to swing into some of the museums, cathedrals, and churches you'll see along the way. There are now shops everywhere that are designed to appeal to tourists. While some may be easy to walk by, it takes the strongest souls to ignore the chocolate shops you'll see on your way.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Belgium, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesBruges Prices
Belgium Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Bruges $189
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Bruges is $189. 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 Bruges in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Bruges $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Bruges $138
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Bruges
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Bruges? 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 Bruges Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Bruges $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bansko Transfer From/to Sofia Airport and Hotels: $286
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Kavala: $258
- Private Arrival Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko Ski Resort: $226
- Bucharest: Private Transfer to Sofia: $219
- Transfer from Sofia to Stara Zagora: $212
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Nis: $199
- Borovets Transfers from/to Sofia Airport: $179
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Pamporovo: $175
- River Rafting Adventure in Bulgaria (incl. transfer from Sofia): $171
- Private Transfer From Sofia to Bansko with Rila Monastery Visit: $143
- Private Departure Transfer from Bansko to Sofia Airport: $143
- Private Arrival Transfer from Sofia Airport to Plovdiv: $143
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bruges:
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Five Day Bus Pass$18
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Bike Rental for Day$9.39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bruges
Also for Bruges, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private direct transfer from Bruges to The Hague: $293
- Private direct transfer from Bruges to Amsterdam: $262
- PrivateTransfer from Zeebrugge Port to Ostend Bruges Airport(OST): $240
- Private Transfer from Ostend Bruges Airport OST to Zeebrugge Port: $240
- Private Transfert from Bruges to Brussels Airport By Business car: $239
- Private transfer from Bruges to Brussels, 2h Stop in Ghent: $216
- Private direct transfer from Cruise Port Zeebrugge to Brussels: $192
- Private direct transfer from Bruges to Brussels: $154
- Private transfer from Bruges to Lille, English-speaking driver: $150
- Ostend Airport (OST) to Bruges hotel - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $144
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Bruges hotels: $75
- Private Transfer from Bruges City Hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Bruges?
Prices for flights to both Bruges 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 $35Bruges $105
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 Bruges
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bruges:
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Cup of Tea$2.35
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Sandwich for Lunch$3.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The 10 Tastings of Bruges With Locals: Private Food Tour : $161
- Bruges Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $165
- Bruges Food Tour: 8 Tastings of Local Delicacies: $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Bruges $18
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- 3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia: $92
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Day tour from Sofia: $125
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Small Group Day tour from Sofia: $101
- 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour: $52
- 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery day tour from Sofia: $123
- Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $70
- Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $69
- Afternoon Delights in Sofia Tour: $83
- All inclusive Belogradchik fort and Venetsa cave day tour: $93
- Archaeological tour-From the Neolithic to Modern times in Augusta Trayana: $118
- Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $46
- Boyana Church & Rila Monastery Full-Day Private Tour: $188
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Groeninge Museum Entrance$9.39
Tours and Activities in Bruges
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bruges.
- "Hidden Brugge" Photo Tour - 2hr open city tour & workshop: $83
- "Shades of Brugge" Photo Tour - 3hr private city tour & workshop: $298
- 2-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Bruges with Praline Included: $3.59
- 6 Hour Bruges Shore Excursion from Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $81
- Authentic Medieval Bruges Private Tour with Local Guide: $96
- BRYGGJA ROMANTICA - 3 Hour Romantic Tour in Bruges: $54
- Best Bruges Cruise-Friendly Tour including Canal Boat Ride: $65
- Best Bruges Shore Excursion from Your Ship with Canal Cruise : $75
- Best Bruges Shore Excursion including Deluxe Canal Cruise: $79
- Best of History, Chocolate & Beer Tour: $66
- BikeTour Bruges & Damme in Spanish and English: $143
- Breathtaking Bruges - Private Walking Tour: $228
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Bruges $13
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Bruges, we can see that Bruges 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 Bruges would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bruges 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 Bruges Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Bruges?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Bruges, 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.