Which place is cheaper, Como 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 Como?
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 Como. 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 Como?
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.
Como
At the foot of the jagged cliffs of the Alps lies an expanse of shimmering waters made a golden white by the sun and pockmarked by sailors. Its blue waters beckon you to come forth and dive deep into the mystic body of Lago di Como, or Lake Como. With an area of 146 square kilometers, Lake Como is the third largest lake in Italy, right after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. The lake was originally named by the Romans after the city of Comum, now presently called Como. Lake Como is shaped into an inverted "Y," with towns like Como, Lecco, Bellagio, Menaggio and Lierna situated around it.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesComo Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Como $302
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Como is $302. 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 Como in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Como $172
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Como $344
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Como
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Como? 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 Como Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Como $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia HTL-APT (SOF): $48
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia APT-HTL (SOF): $48
- Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $71
- Transfer from Sofia to Stara Zagora: $212
- Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $21
- Transfer Sofia Airport/city to Plovdiv with a sedan 3+1: $113
- Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $41
- Sofia City Private Transfer to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $58
- Sofia Airport to Borovets Shared Transfer (Max 90 Min Wait): $28
- Sofia Airport SOF Private Transfer to Sofia City in Business Car: $58
- Sofia Airport (LBSF): One-Way Transfer to/from Borovets: $104
- River Rafting Adventure in Bulgaria (incl. transfer from Sofia): $171
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Como
Also for Como, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Lake Como to Milan Airport MXP by Luxury Van: $272
- From Milan center : Private 1-Way Transfer to Como: $250
- Luxury private transfer from Bellagio to Malpensa airport: $238
- Bellagio to Malpensa Airport Milan (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $212
- From Como to Milan hotels - Private Transfer: $209
- Private Transfer up to 8 pax from Como to Milano: $203
- Cernobbio to Malpensa Milan Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $155
- Como to Malpensa Airport Milan (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Como?
Prices for flights to both Como 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 $35Como $122
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 Como
For Como, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Lecco with Show Cooking: $101
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cernobbio with Show Cooking: $131
- Cesarine: Como Show Cooking & Dining Experience at Local's Home: $131
- Experience Cooking Class in Como: $143
- Neapolitan DOC Pizza Class And Cooking in a Wood Oven at a Local's house: $161
- Cooking lessons in a nineteenth-century restaurant in the heart of Como: $179
- Private Cooking Class in Bologna: $180
- Cesarine: Pizza & Tiramisu Feast in Como: $214
- Traditional Cooking Class with Views of Lake Como and the Alps : $221
- Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Cernobbio: $227
- Lecco Bike Tour & Pizza Lunch: $233
- Lasagna Masterclass in Learn the Art of Traditional Cooking: $233
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Como -
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
Tours and Activities in Como
For Como, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Hour Private Boat Tour of Lake Como With Skipper: $203
- 1H Luxury Cruise Como Lake Tender Yacht Invictus 9 Pax: $107
- 1H to 5H Tour on the Lake of Como by Lakeside Boat Tour: $239
- 3 Hours Guided Cruise with stop and visit of Bellagio : $274
- 4 Hours Shared Boat Tour in Lake Como: $293
- 4-hour E-bike Tour of the Piccolo Mondo Antico in Lake Como: $155
- 4h Catamaran Tour on Lake Como - Como Boat Rent & Cruise: $215
- BELLAGIO E-Bike Tour + Villa Melzi + Lunch (Meet the locals): $245
- Bellagio & Varenna Full-day Tour on Lake Como: $268
- Bellagio Luxury Cruise & Villa del Balbianello - BE THE FIRST: $233
- Bellagio Rowing Experience with a Vintage wooden boat: $251
- Bellagio Varenna and Menaggio Vespa and Ferry Tour: $298
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Como -
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 Como
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Como:
- Wine Tasting with Food Pairing at Lake Como: $58
- Domaso: Wine Tasting at the Winery on Como Lake: $66
- Lecco Wine Tasting experience: $89
- Panoramic Wine Tasting in Bellagio area: $143
- Wine Tastings with Chef Luigi Gandola: $147
- Top Italian Wine Tasting & Food Como Lake: $179
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Como, we can see that Como 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 Como would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Como 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 Como Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Como?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Como, 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.