Which place is cheaper, Hamburg 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 Hamburg?
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 Hamburg. 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 Hamburg?
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.
Hamburg
Hamburg is most noted for its port, which is the largest in Germany and the second busiest in Europe. Despite it's size, it is actually located about 100 kilometers from the North Sea on the River Elbe. The popularity of this port has given Hamburg the nickname as Germany's Gateway to the World. The city itself is the second largest in Germany and the metropolitan area has a population of over 4 million people.
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 from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesHamburg Prices
Germany Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Hamburg $166
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Hamburg is $166. 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 Hamburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Hamburg $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Hamburg $126
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Hamburg
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Hamburg? 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 Hamburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Hamburg $34
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hamburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hamburg:
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Short Distance Ubahn Ticket$1.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hamburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hamburg:
- Rickmer Rickmers Museum Guided Tour with Transfers : $292
- Hamburg Airport (HAM): Private Transfer to Hamburg hotels: $291
- Rickmer Rickmers Museum Guided Tour with Transfers: $287
- Private Transfer From Hamburg City to Berlin City: $268
- Private Transfer from Hamburg to Bremen with an English Speaking Driver: $257
- Private Transfer From Hamburg To Bremen With a 2 Hour Stop: $256
- Hamburg Airport (HAM) to Hamburg - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $249
- Private Transfer From Hamburg to Hannover, English Speaking Driver: $232
- Hamburg hotels to Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $204
- Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport(HAM) to Ostseekai Kiel Port: $204
- Hamburg Airport (HAM) to Ostseekai Kiel Port - Arrival Transfer: $204
- Private Transfer from Hamburg Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport(HAM): $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Hamburg?
Prices for flights to both Hamburg 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 $35Hamburg $70
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 Hamburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hamburg:
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Pink Thai Soup Dinner and Spring Rolls$18
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Currywurst and Pommes Frites$5.87
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Donner Kebab and Coke$7.04
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Traditional Hamburg Dinner w/ Beer$18
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Donner Kebab Lunch$4.69
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Sandwich and Coffee Break$7.04
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Fish Sandwich from Fish Market$4.11
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Coffee and Donut$4.69
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hamburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hamburg.
- St George's Culinary Food Tour: $53
- Sternschanze kulinarisch: Die Food Tour: $53
- St. Pauli kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $53
- Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $63
- Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $63
- Hamburg Traditional Food Tour: Full Meal and Drinks: $90
- Hamburg Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Hamburg Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better : $130
- St. Pauli: Guided Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $529
- The Wilhelmsburg Food Tour: $529
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Hamburg $46
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hamburg
Here are a few typical costs in Hamburg for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Tower at St. Michael's Church$4.11
Tours and Activities in Hamburg
Here are a few actual costs in Hamburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Cruise in the City" - Sailing Yacht Event, Hamburg/Elbe: $88
- 1-Day Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Tour of Hamburg Line D: $25
- 10 secrets of Hamburg's old town - exciting scavenger hunt tour: $37
- 2 Hours Guided Hamburg Segway Night Tour: $102
- 2 Hours Hamburg E-scooter Tour: $81
- 2 Hours Hamburg Night Segway Tour: $93
- 2 Hours Hamburg Segway Tour: $81
- 3 Hour Guided Hamburg Segway Tour: $102
- 3 Hours Hamburg E-Scooter Tour: $93
- 3 Hours Hamburg Segway Tour: $93
- 90-minute harbor tour through the Speicherstadt in Hamburg: $43
- Ahoy St.Pauli at night - the legendary Kieztour: $299
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Hamburg $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
Sample the Local Flavors in Hamburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hamburg:
- Original Hamburg Pub Crawl Sex & Crime St. Pauli Tour: $24
- Original Hamburg Pub Crawl Sex & Crime St. Pauli Tour: $24
- Night Pub Crawl through the Reeperbahn: $29
- Pub Crawl Hamburg - Ladies Night: $30
- Pub Crawl - Drink & Dare: $30
- Reeperbahn Pub Crawl with Shots and Games: $35
- Hamburg Pub Crawl with Free Welcome Drinks and Club Entry: $36
- Reeperbahn pub crawl with insider-guide & shots: $317
- Bachelor party Pub crawl & party for your bachelor party: $423
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Hamburg, we can see that Hamburg 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 Hamburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hamburg 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 Hamburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Hamburg?
Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Sofia. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Hamburg, 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.