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

Should you visit Sofia or Gdansk?

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 Gdansk. 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 Gdansk?

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.

Gdansk

Gdansk is the capital and largest city of the Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland. The port dates back a thousand years and was an influential city in the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages. The city was essentially destroyed during World War II but has rebuilt into one of Europe's most beautiful port cities. The city now has a population of around 460,000 and is a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the globe. It is known for its impressive city center, its great museums, and its beaches that line the coast of the Gulf of Gdansk. In particular, it is a popular summer destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Gdansk 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 Gdansk is $77. 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 Gdansk in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $44
    Gdansk $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $88
    Gdansk $60
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Gdansk

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Gdansk? 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 Gdansk


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 Gdansk Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $9.26
    Gdansk $9.47

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia

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

  • Airport Transfers in Sofia: $83
  • Arrival Transfer: Sofia Airport SOF to Sofia in Luxury Car: $94
  • Bansko Shuttle: Transfer from/to Sofia Airport: $107
  • Bansko Transfer From/to Sofia Airport and Hotels: $286
  • Borovets Transfers from/to Sofia Airport: $179
  • Bucharest: Private Transfer to Sofia: $219
  • Departure Transfer: Sofia to Sofia Airport SOF in Luxury Van: $82
  • From Plovdiv Day Tour with Transfer: $78
  • From Private Transfer for SPA to Sapareva Banya: $100
  • From Rila Monastery & Melnik Day Trip with Transfers: $102
  • Korali Hot Spring with Private Transfers: $65
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko Ski Resort: $226

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gdansk

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gdansk:

  • Warsaw/Deluxe Private Transfer Service: $357
  • Private transfer from Gdansk to Warsaw with 2h of Sightseeing: $293
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Grudziadz city: $287
  • Taxi Transfer from Gdańsk airport to Koszalin: $287
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Hel City: $268
  • Taxi Transfer from Gdańsk airport to Bydgoszcz: $263
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Bytów city: $250
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk or Airport Gdansk GDN to Leba: $240
  • Transfer from Gdańsk airport to Toruń: $240
  • Transfer from Airport Gdańsk (GDN) or Gdańsk City Center to Koszalin: $231
  • Private transfer from Airport Gdansk to Sand Valley Golf Resort: $228
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Starogard Gdanski city: $198

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Gdansk?

Prices for flights to both Gdansk 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
    Gdansk $39

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 Gdansk

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Gdansk.

  • Delicious Gdańsk Food Tour in Poland: $101
  • Deluxe Polish Food Tour Experience in Gdansk: $118
  • Foodpairing dinner in one of the best restaurants in Gdansk: $160
  • Gdansk Traditional Food Tour with Old Town Sightseeing: $191
  • Sopot: Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $194

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $6.54
    Gdansk $9.03

Tours and Activities in Sofia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.

  • Rila Monastery: Monastery & Museums Self-Guided Audio Tour 7 lang: $5.95
  • Self-guided Tour in the Museum of Socialist Art: $8.57
  • Sofia Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • City Monuments Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $12
  • Guided Walking Tour of Sofia: $12
  • Sofia’s Roots: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Bulgarian Rose Aromatic Experience : $17
  • Private Kayak Tour on the Pancharevo Lake: $18
  • Walking tour: Communist architecture in downtown Sofia: $18
  • City Highlights Sightseeing Walking Tour: $19
  • Communist Walking Tour: $21
  • Communist Walking Tour of Sofia: $21

Tours and Activities in Gdansk

Here are a few actual costs in Gdansk for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 hour Gdansk Amber Workshop Tour : $240
  • 90 Minute Segway Tour of Gdansk: $74
  • Beer Tour. Tasting and Tales in Gdansk: $79
  • Boat Tour in Gdańsk – Explore the Historic Motława River: $35
  • Cruises on the Motlawa River: $20
  • Cruises on the Motlawa River by a luxury catamaran - Gdańsk from the water side: $20
  • Culinary cruises - pierogi tasting Shipyard and Port: $32
  • Delicious Gdansk Craft Beer Tour: $89
  • Deluxe Polish Vodka Tour Experience in Gdansk: $127
  • Discover Gdansk Walking Tour: $5.99
  • Elblag Canal Tour from Gdansk: $210
  • Electric Scooter Gdańsk: Shipyard Tour - 1,5-Hour of Magic!: $71

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $9.26
    Gdansk $5.26

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 Gdansk

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gdansk:

  • Gdansk Pub Crawl with Free Drinks: $26
  • Polish Spirits tasting in Gdańsk Craft Distillery tawern: $37
  • #1 Pub Crawl in Sopot: $44
  • Exclusive Gdańsk Wine Tour with Polish Wine Tastings: $96


When comparing the travel costs between Sofia and Gdansk, we can see that Sofia is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sofia Expensive? and Is Gdansk Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Gdansk?

Sofia has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Gdansk. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Gdansk, 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.