Which place is cheaper, Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana?
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 Ljubljana. 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 Ljubljana?
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.
Ljubljana
Most people don't travel to Ljubljana to see specific sights, as there aren't many famous attractions around town. Instead, this is a city that is about atmosphere. It's a city that you explore and immerse yourself in completely. You meet the people, you go to the clubs, you find the interesting restaurants. That is the best way to learn about Ljubljana.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ljubljana, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesLjubljana Prices
Slovenia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Ljubljana $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Ljubljana is $116. 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 Ljubljana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Ljubljana $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Ljubljana $126
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Ljubljana
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Ljubljana? 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 Ljubljana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Ljubljana $24
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 Ljubljana
Also for Ljubljana, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Ljubljana: $693
- Guided Truffle Hunting Tour with Hotel Transfers: $410
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Koper: $292
- Private transfer from Ljubljana city to Bovec: $291
- Private Transfer from Celje to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $265
- Private Transfer from Ljubljana Airport (LJU) to Novo Mesto: $260
- Private transfer from Ljubljana city to Izola: $248
- Transfer from Ljubljana to Trieste or vice versa: $238
- Private transfer from Ljubljana city to Brežice: $234
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Slovenj Gradec: $232
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Tolmin : $230
- Private transfer from Sežana (Casino Safir) to airport Ljubljana: $225
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Ljubljana?
Prices for flights to both Ljubljana 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 $35Ljubljana $34
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 Ljubljana
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ljubljana:
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Horsemeat Hot Dog$2.35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ljubljana
For Ljubljana, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ljubljana International Dinner: $5.87
- Slovenia: Belokranjska Pogača Cooking Class: $53
- Traditional Slovenian štrukelj Cooking Class: $70
- Traditional Slovenian Dinner and Show: $71
- sLOVEnian Strukelj Traditional Cooking Class: $72
- Traditional Slovenian Dinner and Show: $81
- Flavour of Slovenia: Very Small Group Food Tour in Ljubljana: $90
- Dinner in the Dark: $116
- Medieval coast and romantic fish dinner in Piran from Ljubljana at 16:00: $144
- Ljubljana Food Tour by Sigismundi, Eat & Drink: $152
- The Cradle of Lipizzaner horses - Half Day Trip from Ljubljana: $177
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Ljubljana $17
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 Ljubljana
For Ljubljana, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Castle Tower Entrance (for 2)$9.39
Tours and Activities in Ljubljana
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ljubljana.
- Škocjan Caves, Rakov Škocjan & Marshes Tour (Slovenian underground): $166
- 2 Hours Ljubljana Private Walking Tour with a Guide: $108
- 4 Hours Private Ljubljana Walking Tour: $180
- 8-Hour Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj and Waterfall Savica Tour: $96
- All About Bees Tour from Ljubljana: $174
- Authentic Slovenia: A Mystery Travel Day Tour: $176
- BEER WAY Alpine Beer Tasting & Outdoors Tour: $166
- BEER WAY Boat & Craft Beer Tasting Tour: $54
- Best of Ljubljana, Classical walking tour of Capital city: $60
- Best of Private tour with Ljubljana born guide: $176
- Bike Tour Ljubljana: $71
- Bled the Alpine Pearl Guided Tour from Ljubljana: $138
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Ljubljana $13
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 Ljubljana
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ljubljana are as follows:
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Drinks at a Sidewalk Cafe (for 2)$7.04
Sample the Local Flavors in Ljubljana
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ljubljana:
- Broken Bones Distillery Guided Tasting: $15
- Ljubljana Pub Crawl: $26
- Pub Crawl Ljubljana: $26
- Wine Tasting with Pairing Snacks in Vipava Valley: $30
- Wine Tasting, Slovenian Wine Story: $59
- Wine Tasting Experience: $60
- Wine Tasting Experience with Appetizers: $64
- Slovenian Wine Tasting at Wine Bar Šuklje: $67
- Slovenian Wine Tasting Experience at Wine Bar Šuklje: $68
- 2-Hour Interactive Wine Tasting Experience in Ljubljana: $72
- Food & Wine tour with a Sommelier: $104
- BEER WAY Kamnik Beer Tasting & Brewery Tour: $107
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Ljubljana, we can see that Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Ljubljana?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ljubljana. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Ljubljana, 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.