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

Should you visit Sofia or Glasgow?

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 Glasgow. 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 Glasgow?

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.

Glasgow

Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland with a population of about 600,000 and more than 2 million in the surrounding areas. It is located on the edge of River Clyde and has long been acclaimed as Scotland's main industrial city. It remains a major economic center for the United Kingdom outside of London. In recent years it has also been awarded the European titles as both the City of Culture as well as the City of Architecture and Design.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh.


Which place is cheaper, Glasgow 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 Glasgow is $242. 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 Glasgow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $44
    Glasgow $101
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $88
    Glasgow $202
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Glasgow

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Glasgow? 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 Glasgow


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 Glasgow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $9.26
    Glasgow $37

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Glasgow

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

  • From Private Day Trip to Edinburgh with Transfers: $1,122
  • Private Transfer: Heathrow to/from Glasgow University: $835
  • Airport and Glasgow Centre Private Transfer to Oban: $472
  • Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Cumnock Accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $296
  • Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $284
  • Glasgow to Gleneagles Luxury Car Transfer: $260
  • Glasgow to Edinburgh Airport Premium Door to Door Transfer : $247
  • Private Transfer from Greenock Cruise Port to Glasgow city hotels: $217
  • Glasgow Airport Transfers: Glasgow Airport GLA to Glasgow City in Luxury Car: $185
  • Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Glasgow Accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
  • Airport Transfer: Glasgow Airport GLA to Glasgow by Luxury Van: $159
  • Departure Private Transfers: Glasgow City to Glasgow Airport GLA in Luxury Van: $159

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Glasgow?

Prices for flights to both Glasgow 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
    Glasgow $106

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 Glasgow

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Glasgow:


  • Dessert at Farmer's Market
    $2.45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Glasgow

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

  • Walking Food Tour with Drinks: $121
  • Guided Secret Food Tour: $129
  • Glasgow West End Food Tour: 7 Tastings, Scotch & Local Stories: $130
  • Merchant City Food Tour (city centre): $143
  • Glasgow Walking Food Tour: Explore Merchant City: $144
  • Glasgow Food Tour: The Orginal West End Walking Food Tour: $149
  • Glasgow Walking Food Tour with EatWalk Tours: $149

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $6.54
    Glasgow $31

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 Glasgow

For Glasgow, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Luss Highland Games Entrance Fee (for 2)
    $16
  • Two Bike Rental
    $46

Tours and Activities in Glasgow

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

  • Mountains, Glens and The Loch Ness Monster Day Tour: $96
  • Guided Running Tour of Glasgow: $34
  • Ibrox Stadium Glasgow Soccer Ticket Pass: $130
  • 2 Hour Football Walking Tour in Glasgow : $27
  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour of Glasgow: $295
  • A Wee Walk and a Whisky: Unique Glasgow Walking Tour (5pm): $82
  • Amazing Ebike Tour of Glasgow: $123
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
  • Celtic Park Tour & Dine Package: $60
  • City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $27
  • Culzean Castle & Burns Country Tour from Glasgow Incl Admission: $134
  • Executive Scottish Lowlands Tour: $1,145

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $9.26
    Glasgow $20

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 Glasgow

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Glasgow:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $16
  • Ciders at Kilted Skirlie
    $4.77

Sample the Local Flavors in Glasgow

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

  • Clydeside Distillery Tour and Whisky Tasting: $26
  • Jackton Distillery: Tour & Tasting: $46
  • Glengoyne Distillery Tour with Whisky & Chocolate: $51
  • Scottish Rogue Whisky Pub Crawl: $83
  • Sample Fine & Rare Whiskies at Glengoyne Distillery: $88
  • Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk & Whisky Distillery Tour from Glasgow : $89
  • Irish Legacy and St Mungo's Brewery Tour: $106
  • Scottish Rogue Distillery Experience with Tasting: $122
  • Glasgow Whisky Distillery Shared Tour: $130
  • The Malt Master Experience at Glengoyne Distillery: $148
  • Group Tour on Ebike and Local Distillery!: $175
  • Scottish Whisky Distillery Tour: $225


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


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Glasgow?

Sofia has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Glasgow. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Glasgow, 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.