A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sofia vs. Copenhagen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sofia or Copenhagen?

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 Copenhagen. 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 Copenhagen?

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.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark. It has a small town vibe but is still a cosmopolitan city with lots of shopping, culture, and nightlife. It's a very safe and comfortable city that is easy to explore on foot. Copenhagen is the birthplace of many old fairytales, but also has modern, world class architecture and a liberal vibe. The people of Copenhagen are diverse and international. Most residents are Danes, but some come from Germany and Sweden and there are also many Middle Eastern immigrants.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Denmark.


Which place is cheaper, Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen is $278. 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 Copenhagen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $44
    Copenhagen $99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $88
    Copenhagen $198
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Copenhagen

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Copenhagen? 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.

Hotels in Sofia


Hotels in Copenhagen


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 Copenhagen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $9.26
    Copenhagen $79

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Copenhagen

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Copenhagen:


  • Bicycle Renting
    $68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Copenhagen

Also for Copenhagen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer to Copenhagen Port: $274
  • Copenhagen hotel or address to Malmö City - Private Round-Trip Transfer: $268
  • Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Copenhagen Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $256
  • Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Copenhagen City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $256
  • Copenhagen Roskilde Airport (RKE) to Copenhagen - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $246
  • Copenhagen Port to Copenhagen hotel - Private Round-Trip Transfer: $244
  • Copenhagen Roskilde Airport (RKE) to Copenhagen Port- RoundTrip Private Transfer: $239
  • Private - Airport / City Transfers & Sightseeing: $177
  • Copenhagen Private Transfer from Copenhagen city centre to Copenhagen airport: $176
  • Copenhagen Airport Transfer Service | English Speaking Driver: $173
  • Private Transfer Airport To/From Cruise Port: $173
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport CPH to Copenhagen by Luxury Van: $154

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Copenhagen?

Prices for flights to both Copenhagen 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
    Copenhagen $116

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 Copenhagen

For Copenhagen, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Hot Dogs
    $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Copenhagen

For Copenhagen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $38
  • Hard Rock Cafe Copenhagen with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $40
  • The Nørrebro Street Art & Food Tour: $55
  • Copenhagen : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $105
  • Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Danish Classics: $124
  • Copenhagen Cooking Class: Nordic Cooking Class with Open Bar: $125
  • Copenhagen Culinary Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Danish Classics: $135
  • The Copenhagen Culinary Experience Food Tour: $148
  • Modern City Food Tour: $149
  • Food Tour In Copenhagen - 5 Delicious Tastings, Walking Tour : $153
  • E-Bike Guided Food Tour with 3 stops: $157

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $6.54
    Copenhagen $34

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 Copenhagen

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Copenhagen's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Boat Tour
    $9.44
  • Coffee
    $15

Tours and Activities in Copenhagen

For Copenhagen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 3 Hours Tour To Wonderful Copenhagen Highlights: $287
  • 3h walking tour, small group max 10 people Copenhagen: $72
  • Light Version Adventures in Forgotten Giants : $159
  • Østerbro: Evening Treats & Insights Walking Tour: $87
  • 1-Hour Private Segway Tour Copenhagen: $85
  • 2 Hours Copenhagen E-Bike Guided Tours: $89
  • 2-Hour Private City Walking Tour with a Canal Tour ticket: $250
  • 2.5 Hour Must See Bike Tour Adventure in Copenhagen: $64
  • 2.5 Hours E-Bike Christmas Tour in Copenhagen: $88
  • 3 Hour Extended Copenhagen E-Bike Guided Tour: $110
  • 3 hour Copenhagen Combined Food and Guided E-Bike Tour: $161
  • 3-Hour Private Copenhagen Walking Tour: $189

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $9.26
    Copenhagen $15

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 Copenhagen

Also in Copenhagen, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Guided Party Pub Crawl with 4 Shots and 1 Drink: $47
  • Private Wine Tasting Boat Tour: $189


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Copenhagen, we can see that Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Copenhagen?

Copenhagen has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Sofia. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Copenhagen, 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.