A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sofia vs. Sibenik for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sofia or Sibenik?

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 Sibenik. 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 Sibenik?

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.

Sibenik

Sibenik is a city on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. It's known as a gateway to the Kornati Islands. The 15th-century stone Cathedral of St. James is decorated with 71 sculpted faces. Nearby, the Sibenik City Museum, in the 14th-century Prince's Palace, has exhibits ranging from prehistory to the present. The white stone St. Michael's Fortress has an open-air theater, with views of Sibenik Bay and neighboring islands. The city's magnificent medieval heart, gleaming white against the placid waters of the bay is enough to excite any traveler, and you won't be disappointed with your trip here. The stone labyrinth of steep backstreets and alleys are a joy to explore. Sibenik is also an important access point for Krka National Park and the Kornati Islands.

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 Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik.


Which place is cheaper, Sibenik or Sofia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Sibenik is $135. 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 Sibenik in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $44
    Sibenik $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $88
    Sibenik $128
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Sibenik

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Sibenik? 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.

Hotels in Sofia


Hotels in Sibenik


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 Sibenik Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $9.26
    Sibenik $15

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sibenik

Also for Sibenik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Sibenik to Dubrovnik, English-speaking local driver: $282
  • Šibenik to Zadar Airport Private Transfer: $233
  • Airport transfer from Split to Šibenik or vice versa: $179
  • Private Transfer from Vodice to Split Airport (SPU): $105

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Sibenik?

Prices for flights to both Sibenik 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sofia $35
    Sibenik $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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $6.54
    Sibenik $14

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 Sibenik

For Sibenik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Kornati island National Park & Telascica Nature Park Boat Tour from Vodice: $94
  • Šibenik Panorama and 3 Fortresses tour -entrance fees included: $70
  • Šibenik Riviera boat tour: Zlarin + Prvić + Tijat: $143
  • Daily or night walking tour through Medieval Šibenik: $30
  • Etnoland MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENCE: $24
  • Fortresses Sightseeing Eco City Tour Šibenik: $30
  • King Krešimir’s Old Town: A Self-Guided Šibenik Walking Tour: $12
  • Krka National Park Private Tour from Zadar : $245
  • Panorama Tour - Eco City Tour Šibenik: $30
  • Private Sibenik Walking Historical Morning or Evening Tour: $54
  • Private Tour of the Pearls of Dalmatia: $227
  • Private Walking Tour in Sibenik: $57

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $9.26
    Sibenik $19

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 Sibenik

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sibenik:

  • Šibenik: 3 fortresses; City&wine tour; tasting and all fees inc: $106
  • Private Krka Waterfalls Tour with Wine Tasting from Sibenik: $233
  • From Split or Trogir: Krka National Park & Wine Tasting Tour: $1,170


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Sibenik, we can see that Sibenik 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 Sibenik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sibenik 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 Sibenik Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Sibenik?

Sofia has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sibenik. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Sibenik, 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.