Which place is cheaper, Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo?
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 Sarajevo. 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 Sarajevo?
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.
Sarajevo
Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and is one of the most culturally and historically interesting cities to visit in Europe. The city was at the crossroads where the Eastern and Western Roman Empires divided, and the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches divided. Today it is most associated with the Civil War that occurred here between 1992 and 1995. There are still many remnants of the war left, from the cemeteries that dot the countryside to the leftover damage done by bombs. Despite its brutal history, Sarajevo has begun to thrive again, both economically and as a tourist destination.
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 Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesSarajevo Prices
Bosnia and Herzegowina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Sarajevo $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Sarajevo is $102. 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 Sarajevo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Sarajevo $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Sarajevo $60
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Sarajevo
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Sarajevo? 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 Sarajevo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Sarajevo $7.73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia HTL-APT (SOF): $48
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia APT-HTL (SOF): $48
- Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $71
- Transfer from Sofia to Stara Zagora: $212
- Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $21
- Transfer Sofia Airport/city to Plovdiv with a sedan 3+1: $113
- Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $41
- Sofia City Private Transfer to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $58
- Sofia Airport to Borovets Shared Transfer (Max 90 Min Wait): $28
- Sofia Airport SOF Private Transfer to Sofia City in Business Car: $58
- Sofia Airport (LBSF): One-Way Transfer to/from Borovets: $104
- River Rafting Adventure in Bulgaria (incl. transfer from Sofia): $171
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sarajevo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Sarajevo:
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Tram Tickets (for 2)$1.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarajevo
Also for Sarajevo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer (FROM-TO) Sarajevo - Belgrade: $339
- Private Transfer from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ) to Jajce: $299
- Private Transfer from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ) to Lukavac: $296
- Transfer from city of Sarajevo to city of Mostar: $274
- Private Transfer from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ) to Travnik: $268
- Private transfer (FROM-TO) Sarajevo - Kotor - Budva : $268
- Private transfer (FROM-TO) Sarajevo - Belgrade : $250
- Private transfer (FROM-TO) Sarajevo - Dubrovnik: $250
- Private Transfer from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ) to Mostar: $248
- Private Transfer from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ) to Srebrenica : $248
- Sarajevo ⇄ Mostar / Private Transfer: $222
- Private Transfer from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ) to Živinice grad: $208
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Sarajevo?
Prices for flights to both Sarajevo 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 $35Sarajevo $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 Sarajevo
For Sarajevo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Restaurant Dinner (for 2)$13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sarajevo
For Sarajevo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ethnic Village Food Tour With Optional Mountain Hiking: $55
- Bosnian Cooking Lessons: $95
- Experience Bosnian Cooking Class: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Sarajevo $13
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 Sarajevo
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Sarajevo's activities, tours, and tickets:
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National Museum (for 2)$8.41
Tours and Activities in Sarajevo
For Sarajevo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Srebrenica Genocide Tour from Sarajevo: $119
- 1984 Sarajevo Olympics Adventure - Half Day Tour: $101
- 7-Day Balkans Small-Group Tour: Sarajevo, Mostar & Dubrovnik: $1,062
- Bentbaša: Guided Walking Tour: $23
- Best of Sarajevo - Ultimate Full-Day Experience: $83
- Bijambare Cave Tour : $48
- Bosnian Castles Tour: Vranduk Tešanj Srebrenik from Sarajevo: $149
- Bosnian Kingdom Capitals: Travnik & Jajce Tour from Sarajevo: $154
- Bunker: Tito's Secret & Boracko Lake Tour from Sarajevo: $214
- CENTRAL BOSNIA | A medieval tour (Jajce + Travnik + Pliva lakes): $89
- Climb Via Ferrata Experience: $85
- Cycling & Adventure One day tour 59 euro : $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Sarajevo $8.08
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Sarajevo, we can see that Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Sarajevo?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Sarajevo. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Sarajevo, 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.