Which place is cheaper, Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh?
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 Edinburgh. 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 Edinburgh?
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.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, 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 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United Kingdom.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesEdinburgh Prices
UK Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Edinburgh $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Edinburgh is $233. 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 Edinburgh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Edinburgh $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Edinburgh $202
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Edinburgh
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Edinburgh? 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 Edinburgh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Edinburgh $23
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 Edinburgh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:
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Local Bus$4.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Loch Ness Private Day Tour with Transfers: $728
- Airport Transfer to/from Edinburgh City, St'Andrews etc.: $330
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Glasgow - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $277
- Central Edinburgh Hotels to Edinburgh Airport Transfers 1-3: $275
- Edinburgh Train Station to Edinburgh Hotel Transfers 1-3 Pax: $270
- Edinburgh to Glasgow Luxury Car Transfer: $260
- Glasgow to Edinburgh Luxury Car Transfer: $250
- Edinburgh to Stirling Luxury Taxi Transfer: $236
- Luxury Private Car Transfer from Edinburgh Airport EDI to Glasgow: $227
- Scottish Highlands Freedom Bike & E- Bike Tour with Transfers: $226
- Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh Hotel Transfers: $212
- Luxury Private Edinburgh Airport Transfer: $192
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Edinburgh?
Prices for flights to both Edinburgh 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 $35Edinburgh $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
Typical Food Prices in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$12
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Dinner at Filling Station$14
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Lunch for Two$20
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Sandwich$2.52
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Cheese & bread$9.86
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Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)$34
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2 Coffees and Scones$7.91
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Turkish Delight$1.91
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Soup at the Pub$8.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $35
- Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $37
- Edinburgh Cheese Crawl : Guided Food Tour: $48
- Scottish Dinner and Folk Music Experience: $106
- Scottish Mezze Cooking Class: $115
- Taste & Tour: Edinburgh Food Tour with Drinks: $116
- Food Tour with Scotch, Haggis, Secret Dish & More: $125
- Edinburgh Food Tour with Scotch, Haggis, a Secret Dish & More: $126
- Spirit of Scotland Show with 4-Course Dinner: $128
- VIP Food Tour at a Secret Traditional Restaurant: $133
- Scotch Whisky Tasting & 3 Course Dinner: $135
- Premium Edinburgh Traditional Food Tour: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Edinburgh $27
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 Edinburgh
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Show Tickets$44
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Movie Tickets for Two$16
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Donation for Storytellers$8.18
Tours and Activities in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Edinburgh Castle Without the Crowds Exclusive Pre Opening Tour : $108
- Edinburgh's Landscapes Tours with a Local Guide: Private & Personalized: $164
- 'A Wee Pedal's' Family Friendly Cycle Tour to Edinburgh's Coast : $79
- 1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh: $95
- 1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour: $71
- 2-Day Inverness and the Highlands Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh: $245
- 2-Day Oban, Glenfinnan, Glencoe & West Highlands Tour: $197
- 3 Days - Isle of Skye and Highlands Tour from Edinburgh: $539
- 3 Hours Edinburgh City Highlights Private Walking Tour: $294
- 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh: $247
- 5-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, Oban, St Andrews and Highlands: $429
- Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh: $78
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Edinburgh $21
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Edinburgh
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:
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Beer & Wine$19
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Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern$2.25
Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh
Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Edinburgh's Best Bar Crawl: Free Shots, Discounts, Photos: $11
- Ultimate Pub Crawl Party with 7 Bars & 1 Club: $16
- 7 Bar Pub Crawl with 7 Shots & Discounts: $16
- Guided Gin Tour & Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $19
- Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots: $20
- Edinburgh Pub Crawl Free Shots and VIP Entry: $21
- Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors": $27
- Haggis paired with whisky & gins in 56 North distillery!: $28
- Tranent: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour and Tasting: $28
- 5 Hours Edinburgh Halloween Bar Crawl: $30
- Pickering's Gin Jolly Tour (Distillery & Tasting): $34
- St Patrick's Day Bar Crawl Edinburgh: $34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Edinburgh, we can see that Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Edinburgh?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Edinburgh, 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.