Which place is cheaper, Vienna 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 Vienna?
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 Vienna. 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 Vienna?
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.
Vienna
Vienna is the largest city and capital of Austria. It has a population of over 1.7 million and is a cultural, political and economic center for the country. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and some complain that it feels more like a museum than a real city. Outside of the historical center though, is a young and vibrant city with a huge music scene, many street performers, and eclectic and fun restaurants and nightclubs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Austria.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesVienna Prices
Austria Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Vienna $206
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Vienna is $206. 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 Vienna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Vienna $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Vienna $220
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Vienna
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Vienna? 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 Vienna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Vienna $22
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 Vienna
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Vienna:
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Bus to Airport$35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vienna
Also for Vienna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Munich: Private transfer to Vienna with stop in Hallstatt: $899
- Private transfer to Milan or Milan to Vienna: $741
- Private transfer Warsaw to Vienna: $558
- Transfer by Car to/from Vienna & Budapest: $552
- Hallstatt daytrip: Private transfer to Hallstatt and back: $490
- Private transfer to Nuremberg or Nuremberg to Vienna: $469
- Hallstatt: Private transfer Bratislava to Hallstatt: $396
- Vienna daytrip: Private transfer from Budapest and back: $388
- Vienna to Prague - Private Transfer with 2 hours of Sightseeing: $299
- Private transfer from Bratislava to Vienna: $293
- Private Transfer from Vienna to Prague : $286
- Private transfer from Vienna to Budapest with 2h of sightseeing: $281
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Vienna?
Prices for flights to both Vienna 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 $35Vienna $68
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vienna
For Vienna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Hour Tradtional Kaiserschmarrn Cooking Class & Tasting in Wien: $47
- Strauss Dinner Show: $118
- Evening at Schönbrunn Palace 3-course Dinner and Concert: $122
- Taste A Full Meal Walking Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $125
- Schnitzel and Strudel: Shared Cooking Class : $143
- Nuit des Lumières - The Candlelight Dinner Concert in Vienna: $154
- Authentic Vienna Food Tour inc. lunch, street food, 3 drinks: $170
- Nabiel's Vienna Cooking Class: $179
- Classic Food Tour of Vienna: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Vienna $45
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 Vienna
For Vienna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Exclusive Guided Wine and Hiking Experience in Austria : $73
- ( Night Tour ) With Private Guide + wine or prosecco: $237
- 2-Hour Guided Tour in the Footsteps of Princess Sissi in Vienna: $62
- 2-Hour Private Hiking Tour on Kalenderberg Mountain to Meet History from Vienna: $184
- 2-Hour Private Hiking Tour to Meet History at Braunsberg Mountain from Vienna: $184
- 2-hour Private Alpine Hiking Tour on Seekopf Mountain, Wachau Valley from Vienna: $184
- 24-hour Hop-On Hop-Off with Ferris Wheel and River Cruise: $90
- 3-Hour Private Hiking Tour over Parapluie Mountain with a View of Vienna: $230
- 3-Hour Private Hiking Tour to historic places around Spitz in Wachau Valley: $276
- 5-Hour Private Alpine Hiking Tour 'Wild water at Hochwechsel': $276
- A Self-Guided Tour of Vienna the Home of Classical Music: $20
- A day in the life of Vienna - Private tour with a local: $245
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Vienna $20
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 Vienna
Also in Vienna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vienna Nights Pub Crawl: $14
- Friday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Vienna, Austria: $28
- Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Vienna, Austria: $28
- Wine Tasting at Schönbrunn Palace with optional Palace Ticket: $54
- Small-group Vienna Wine Tour: $142
- Austrian Wine Tasting: $143
- Countryside Half Day Wine Tour near Vienna: $143
- Vienna Woods Tour with underground lake and wine tasting: $155
- Wine Tasting Tour: $161
- Wachau Valley Wine Tasting Bike Tour from Vienna: $161
- Vienna Woods Wine Tour - Wines, Vines & Good Times!: $190
- Private tour Neusiedler See, Rust (wine tasting), Purbach: $190
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Vienna, we can see that Vienna 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 Vienna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vienna 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 Vienna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Vienna?
Vienna has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Sofia. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Vienna, 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.