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

Should you visit Sofia or Giverny?

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 Giverny. 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 Giverny?

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.

Giverny

Giverny (pronounced jee-vair-knee) is a commune in Northern France. It sits on the right bank of the River Seine where it meets the River Epte. This area has been a settlement since Neolithic times and the town has various monuments from many periods of its long existence. Beginning around 1887, a number of American Impressionist artists settled to work in Giverny, drawn by the landscapes, the overall atmosphere, and the presence of Monet. It has now become a place of pilgrimage for many art lovers. It was here that Claude Monet lived for 43 years, until his death at the age of 86 in 1926. Although his house is now prized by connoisseurs of 19th-century interior decoration, it's his garden, with its Japanese-inspired water-lily pond and bridge, that remains the high point for many, as it is a 5-acre, three-dimensional Impressionist painting where you can stroll around at leisure. Most make this a day trip, but Giverny has some lovely lodgings, so you could also overnight here.

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


Which place is cheaper, Giverny 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 Giverny is $177. 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 Giverny in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $44
    Giverny $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $88
    Giverny $140
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Giverny

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Giverny? 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 Giverny


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $9.26
    Giverny $57

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Giverny?

Prices for flights to both Giverny 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
    Giverny $71

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $6.54
    Giverny $30

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 Giverny

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

  • Audioguided tour DE the Monet House and DE Gardens in Giverny: $3.57
  • Bike tour from Vernon to Giverny with local guide: $41
  • Giverny Gems: Exclusive Guided Walking Tour: $209
  • Giverny Private Guided Walking Tour: $352
  • Giverny Village Walking Tour & Skip-the-Line to Monet Garden: $52
  • Monet's House & Gardens Private Guided Tour +Ticket: $264
  • Monet's House and Gardens Guided Tour: $68
  • Guided Tour of Monet's Gardens/small group: $69
  • Guided tour Monet's house and gardens/small group: $69

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $9.26
    Giverny $7.79

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


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


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Giverny?

Sofia has a larger population, and is about 2040 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Giverny, 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.