Which place is cheaper, Positano 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 Positano?
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 Positano. 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 Positano?
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.
Positano
Located on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy, Positano is a very scenic town that offers spectacular coastal views. The town sits on the edge of a hill and flows down toward the sea. Because of its dramatic beauty, Positano attracts thousands of visitors year around.
The town dates back to medieval times when it was a port for the Amalfi Republic. It thrived throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries but by the mid-nineteenth century its prosperity was falling. During those times more than half of the population left, migrating predominantly to America. During the 1950s the town gained popularity as a tourist destination, in part because of John Steinbeck's essay about the area in Harper's Bazaar (May, 1953).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesPositano Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Positano $306
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Positano is $306. 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 Positano in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Positano $173
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Positano $346
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Positano
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Positano? 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 Positano Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Positano $9.07
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Positano
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Positano:
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Bus Ticket$1.88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Positano
Also for Positano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Naples - Positano: $299
- private transfer from Sorrento to Naples: $287
- Private Transfer from Positano to Naples Airport: $286
- Private Transfer from Positano to Naples: $263
- Private Transfer by car from Amalfi to Sorrento: $251
- Private Transfer by Car from Positano to Sorrento: $250
- Private transfer from POSITANO to NAPLES with 3 hours stop in Pompeii: $239
- Transfers Positano - Naples: $227
- Positano to Pompeii Private DA Transfer: $226
- Private Transfer from Sorrento Coast to Naples : $211
- Private Transfer-Positano to Naples with 2h of Sightseeing: Vesuvius or Pompeii: $209
- Private Car Transfer from Positano to Sorrento: $203
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Positano?
Prices for flights to both Positano 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 $35Positano $107
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 Positano
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Positano:
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$36
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Pizza in a Restaurant$11
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Sandwich in a Restaurant$14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Positano
For Positano, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Gastronomical Amalfi Coast Hike with Cooking Class: $61
- Cooking class with Pasta, mozzarella and Tiramisu with wine: $80
- Cooking lesson: tagliatelle, mozzarella and tiramisu: $84
- Pizza Class in Sorrento Peninsula with Breathtaking View: $88
- Amalfi Coast Cooking Class: Make Pasta, Mozzarella & Tiramisu: $90
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Sant'Agnello with Show Cooking: $102
- Sorrento: Gluten Free Cooking Class: $108
- Cooking Class in Sorrento with Breathtaking View: $120
- 3 Hours Sorrento Cooking Class in Sorrento Coast with Pickup: $155
- Mediterranean Dinner in Positano at Nonna Colomba's Cellar: $161
- Pizza e Tiramisù class with local mum in Positano: $179
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Gnocchi, Tiramisù & Drinks: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Positano $71
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 Positano
For Positano, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Chair & Umbrella at Spiaggia Grande$20
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Day Trip of Capri & Amalfi$94
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Sunset Cruise$28
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Full Day Wine Tour$114
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Cooking Class$76
Tours and Activities in Positano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Positano.
- Guided Tour Pompeii And Vesuvius from Positano Skip the Line: $299
- private and Guided Tour to Pompeii from Positano: $268
- Amalfi Coast Small Group Cruise with stop at the Emerald Grotto : $125
- Amalfi Coast: Pompei & Vesuvius small group with Skip the line tickets: $161
- Amalfi Coast: Private half-day walking tour with Lunch & Wine: $202
- Blue Grotto Visit and Capri Semi-Private Boat Tour: $173
- Boat tour from Positano to Capri: $227
- Capri & Blue Grotto Small Group Full-Day Boat Tour from Positano: $179
- Capri Boat Tour and Blue Grotto Visit: $178
- Capri Boat tour from Positano with Light Lunch, Drinks & Swim: $184
- Capri Half-Day Sightseeing Cruise From Sorrento, with Pickup: $197
- Capri Small Group Tour From Positano 7h, snacks & wine included: $179
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Positano $18
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 Positano
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Positano:
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Bottle of Limoncello$18
Sample the Local Flavors in Positano
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Positano:
- Organic Wine Tasting, Mozzarella, Gnocchi & Tiramisu Workshop: $78
- Amalfi Coast: Make Handmade Pasta, Tiramisu and Wine Tasting: $81
- 5 Wine Tastings with Typical Products in Sorrento Coast: $84
- Pompeii Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting from Positano: $271
- Pompeii Excavations Tour-Wine Tasting with Lunch from Positano: $274
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Positano, we can see that Positano 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 Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano 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 Positano Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Positano?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Positano, 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.