Which place is cheaper, Pisa 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 Pisa?
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 Pisa. 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 Pisa?
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.
Pisa
Located in Tuscany, Pisa is most famous for its Leaning Tower. The city has a population of about 100,000 people and there are a surprising number of impressive sights that you might miss if you simply pass through to see the tower. There are many architectural and artistic sights that make the city noteworthy as well. The atmosphere of Pisa is also influenced by its university. Of the 100,000 person population, about 60,000 are students. The students bring the city to life with many parties, shows, and interesting cultural events. They stay active into the night and entertainment options are not limited. The student presence is most obvious once you're outside of the touristy Campo dei Miracoli.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesPisa Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Pisa $280
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Pisa is $280. 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 Pisa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Pisa $122
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Pisa $244
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Pisa
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Pisa? 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 Pisa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Pisa $52
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 Pisa
Also for Pisa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Florence: Private Transfer from Pisa Airport (PSA): $432
- Pisa Airport (PSA) to Florence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $270
- Private transfer from Pisa to Florence with 2h stop in Lucca: $269
- Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Lido di Camaiore: $264
- Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Lucca: $262
- Private Arrival Transfer: Pisa Airport to Florence Hotel: $241
- Private Transfer From Pisa To Florence, English Speaking Driver: $229
- Pisa to Florence Airport (FLR) - Departure Private Transfer: $173
- Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Tirrenia: $158
- Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Marina di Pisa: $153
- Pisa Airport to Florence Private Transfer: $151
- Private Transfer from Marina di Pisa to Pisa (PSA) Airport: $145
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Pisa?
Prices for flights to both Pisa 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 $35Pisa $120
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 Pisa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Pisa:
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Dinner$88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pisa
For Pisa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chianni: wine and oil tasting with lunch or dinner: $59
- Pisa’s Ultimate Food Tour: Full Tuscan Meal by Do Eat Better: $89
- Dining experience at a local's home in Pontedera with cooking demo: $102
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Carrara with Show Cooking: $102
- Ultimate Food Tour with Full Tuscan Meal with a Local: $104
- Pisa Private Cooking Class: $106
- Authentic Full dinner & Wine Experience with a Sommelier in Pisa: $112
- Pisa Traditional Food Tour: $142
- Private Show Cooking and Social Dining Experience: $152
- Private Home-made Pasta Cooking Class: $152
- Private Home-Made Pasta Cooking Class in Pisa.: $155
- Hands-On Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $169
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Pisa $50
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 Pisa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pisa.
- Pisa Leaning Tower and Complex Entry Tickets with Audio Guide: $54
- 2-Hour Small-Group Walking Tour of Pisa Off The Beaten Path: $31
- Best of Pisa Guided Walking Tour with Leaning Tower Entry Ticket: $59
- Best of Pisa and Leaning Tower Guided Tour for Kids and Families: $299
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $107
- Best of Small Group Tour with Admission Tickets: $59
- Carrara Marble Quarries Tour by Land Rover: $90
- Carrara: Exclusive Marble Cave Tour Adventure in a 4x4: $90
- Cinque Terre tour in Small Group from Pisa: $202
- Discover Tower Admission & Iconic Landmark Tour: $181
- E-bike guided tour. The surroundings of History, Nature, and Secret Glimpses: $87
- Excursions / Van Tours / Sightseeing: $128
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Pisa $24
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 Pisa
Also in Pisa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Winery Tour and Wine Tasting with Local Food Pairing: $41
- Wine Tasting with Local Bites in Pisa near the Tower: $46
- Wine Tasting with Local Bites in Pisa near the Tower: $47
- Soiana: Vineyard & Cellar Tour with Wine Tasting near Pisa: $52
- Cathedral Guided Tour & Wine Tasting & Optional Tower: $85
- From Pisa or Lucca: Half-Day Tuscany Chianti Wine Tasting: $98
- Chianti Half-day Wine Tour in the Tuscan's Hills from Pisa: $106
- Guided tour in San Miniato and wine tasting!: $108
- Tuscan Wine Tour by van from Pisa: $185
- Chianti Classico Wine Tour and San Gimignano Visit Half Day: $215
- "Ramble Through The Rolling Hills Of Chianti" with lunch & Wine Tastings: $299
- PRIVATE TOUR: Full-Day in Volterra & San Gimignano with Wine Tasting Experience: $299
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Pisa, we can see that Pisa 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 Pisa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pisa 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 Pisa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Pisa?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Pisa, 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.