Which place is cheaper, Florence 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 Florence?
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 Florence. 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 Florence?
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.
Florence
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the most well known cities in Italy for its art and cultural scenes. The city is rooted in history and you can see this in the architecture, statues, gardens, and art that are everywhere around town. This city truly is a living museum. You should allow yourself at least a couple of days to explore Florence and if you can afford more, it is well worth the time. In particular, if art history is your passion then you will need a week or more to satisfy your interest as the museums and architecturally impressive buildings throughout the city are endless.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesFlorence Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Florence $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Florence is $211. 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 Florence in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Florence $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Florence $204
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Florence
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Florence? 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 Florence Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Florence $26
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 Florence
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:
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Taxi Ride Within City$9.39
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Taxi from Airport$29
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In City Parking (Full Day)$35
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Bus Pass (Full Day)$5.87
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Bus From Airport$5.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florence
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Livorno Port to Accommodation: $421
- PRIVATE TRANSFER: from Florence to Assisi with stops in Montepulciano & Cortona : $299
- Private Transfer from Firenze (FLR) Airport to Tavarnelle Val di Pesa: $290
- Private Transfer from Firenze (FLR) Airport to Greve in Chianti: $288
- Private transfer from Florence to Massa with private driver: $281
- PRIVATE TRANSFER from Florence to Roma with private chauffeur: $275
- Private transfer Florence Peretola Airport from or to Pisa City: $271
- Private Transfer Florence Peretola Airport from/to Livorno Port: $271
- Private Transfer from San Casciano in Val di Pesa to Firenze (FLR) Airport: $250
- Private Transfer Florence to Siena with a Chianti Wine Tasting : $239
- Florence to Bologna Airport (BLQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $231
- Taste of Tuscany San Gimignano Winery with Transfer from Florence: $227
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Florence?
Prices for flights to both Florence 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 $35Florence $73
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 Florence
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
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Panini Sandwich$7.63
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florence
For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Florence Old City Street Food Tour and Guided Sightseeing: $35
- Hard Rock Cafe Florence with Set Lunch or Dinner: $35
- Food Tour of Traditional Eateries and Wine Pairings: $36
- Pasta Making Class with Dinner and Wine in Florence: $47
- Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse with Local Market Tour from Florence: $48
- Florence's Food Tour with Authentic Local Tastigs and Sightseeing: $50
- Florence Street Food Tour and sightseeing with Central Market: $50
- Florence Street Food Tour with Walking Sightseeing and Local Guide: $50
- Pasta and Gelato Cooking Class in the heart of Florence: $51
- Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine: $53
- Florence Food Tour: Home-Made Pasta, Truffle, Cantucci, Olive Oil, Gelato: $54
- Cooking Class in Florence Pasta & Tiramisu Making Unlimited Wine: $54
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Florence $35
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 Florence
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Admission to Uffizi$13
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Phone Booking Fee for Uffizi$4.69
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Firenze Card (for Two)$117
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Audioguides at Uffizi (for Two)$23
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Giotto's Tower Entrance Fee$7.04
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Boboli Gardens Entrance Fee$8.21
Tours and Activities in Florence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.
- Best of Florence walking tour & Accademia Gallery- monolingual small group tour: $75
- Exclusive Small Group Tour of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence: $78
- Florence Palazzo Vecchio Skip the Line Ticket and Audio Guide: $27
- Medici Walking Tour -Small Group : $35
- Uffizi & Accademia Highlights: Skip The Line Combo Guided Tour: $119
- "Good Morning Chianti Classico" - Tour in 2 wineries with lunch: $215
- 1-Hour Golf Cart Private Tour through the Center of Florence: $54
- 2-Hours Walking Tour in Florence: $179
- 3-Hour Private Florence Walking Tour: $203
- 3-Hour Private Food and Wine Experience in Montalcino: $144
- 4 Wines Tasting with 2 Tuscan Cheeses & Tour at the winery: $41
- A Food Lover Tour in Florence: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Florence $22
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 Florence
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:
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Glass of Chianti$4.93
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Bottle of Wine$8.80
Sample the Local Flavors in Florence
Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Florence Wine Tasting at Ponte Vecchio with Sommelier: $4.78
- Wine Tasting by CarusVini in San Casciano in val di Pesa: $18
- Winery tour and wine tasting of organic Chianti wines and extra virgin oil: $24
- Wine Tasting Activity at Chianti Rufina: $25
- Great wine tasting at Tenuta Moriano: $27
- Wine Tasting Experience near Florence: $30
- Classic Wine Tasting in Montalcino: $36
- Wine Tasting in an Authentic Tuscan Cellar in Radda in Chianti: $38
- Chianti Half Day Wine Tour from Florence: $42
- Montefioralle Winery - Tour and Wine Tasting in Chianti: $42
- Wine Tasting of Brunello with Tuscan Cold Cuts and Cheese: $47
- Winery tour & wine tasting in Montalcino: $48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Florence, we can see that Florence 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 Florence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florence 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 Florence Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Florence?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Florence. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Florence, 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.