Which place is cheaper, Palermo 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 Palermo?
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 Palermo. 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 Palermo?
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.
Palermo
Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesPalermo Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Palermo $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Palermo is $134. 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 Palermo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Palermo $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Palermo $132
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Palermo
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Palermo? 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 Palermo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Palermo $6.62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $21
- Sofia Airport to Borovets Shared Transfer (Max 90 Min Wait): $28
- Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $41
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Sofia City: $45
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia APT-HTL (SOF): $48
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia HTL-APT (SOF): $48
- Sofia City Private Transfer to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $58
- Sofia Airport SOF Private Transfer to Sofia City in Business Car: $58
- Korali Hot Spring with Private Transfers: $65
- Private Departure Transfer from Sunny Beach to Burgas Airport: $71
- Private Transfers from Sofia to Borovets OR Borovets to Sofia: $71
- Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $71
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:
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Bus to Monreale$3.52
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Bus From Airport$7.04
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90 Minute Bus Pass$1.53
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Short Taxi Ride$5.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:
- Private transfer from Palermo Airport to Capo d'Orlando or vice versa: $299
- Private Transfer Catania Airport ⇄ Palermo Centre (Airport): $279
- Private Transfer from Palermo (PMO) Airport to Santa Flavia: $201
- Palermo Airport (PMO) to Palermo Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $184
- Transfer from Palermo Airport to Adler SPA Resort Siculiana: $175
- Transfer from Palermo Airport to Verdura Golf Resort Sciacca: $148
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Cefalù or vice versa: $132
- Transfer from Palermo Airport to Cefalu: $127
- Private Transfer from Palermo to the Airport: $126
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Marsala port or vice versa: $120
- Private transfer from Palermo Airport to San Vito Lo Capo or vice versa: $120
- Mangias Pollina Resort private transfer to Palermo airport: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Palermo?
Prices for flights to both Palermo 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 $35Palermo $59
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 Palermo
Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$38
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Fast Food Lunch$6.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.
- Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making: $65
- Taste the Tradition on a Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $70
- Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better: $78
- Night Street Food Tour of Palermo with a Local -For real foodies!: $83
- Wanna be Sicilian: Palermo Cooking Class and Market Tour: $88
- Cooking class in Palermo city center: $114
- Sicilian Cooking Class: $117
- Cooking Class in Palermo - fresh pasta and tiramisù: $118
- Sicilian Dinner & Tarot – A Magical Night of Wine & Laughs: $118
- Palermo Sicilian Cooking Class with a Well-known Italian Chef: $118
- Sicilian Cooking Class : Homemade Pasta: $123
- Cooking class in a villa with Palermo view: $138
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Palermo $20
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 Palermo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:
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Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)$7.04
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Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)$14
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Theater Tickets (for Two)$58
Tours and Activities in Palermo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:
- Agrigento Valley of the Temples and Villa Romana del Casale Tour from Palermo: $146
- Agrigento: Valley of the Temples Tour – Small Group or Private: $44
- Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Palermo: $166
- Discover the Charm of A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour: $36
- ERICE and SEGESTA Private Exclusive Tour starts from Palermo with Guide Driver: $299
- Exclusive Boat Tour Along the Palermo Coast Baia Mondello: $168
- From Palermo Sicilian Retreat Erice & Marsala Tour with Lunch: $166
- From the Vineyards to the Chalice: A Unique Tasting Experience: $251
- Full Day City Tour in Palermo , Monreale and Mondello, from Palermo: $299
- Guided tour of the historic center Palermo: $42
- Half day Monreale and Catacombs tour: $108
- Markets and Monuments: Walking Tour in the Center of Palermo: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Palermo $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 Palermo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:
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Beer$3.00
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Bottle of Quality Wine$13
Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:
- Wine Tasting Experience for Small Groups from Palermo: $269
- Private Tour to Segesta, Erice and Wine Tasting in Marsala: $275
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Palermo, we can see that Palermo 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 Palermo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palermo 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 Palermo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Palermo?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Palermo. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Palermo, 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.