Which place is cheaper, Warsaw 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 Warsaw?
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 Warsaw. 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 Warsaw?
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.
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. It has a population of 1.7 million, making it the country's largest city. Located on the Vistula River, it is a popular tourist destination for its interesting architecture and culture. The right bank of the river was the first area to become populated in the 9th or 10 century. Today, however, the city's central district is on the left bank of the river. The Old Town, where you will find many sights and attractions, is fully contained within the city center.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.
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Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesWarsaw Prices
Poland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Warsaw $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Warsaw is $124. 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 Warsaw in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Warsaw $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Warsaw $114
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Warsaw
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Warsaw? 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 Warsaw Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Warsaw $5.10
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 Warsaw
Also for Warsaw, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Krakow to Warsaw or Warsaw to Krakow: $591
- Private Transfer to/from Krakow: $522
- Private Full-Day Tour of Warsaw with Tickets and Transfers: $459
- Limousine Transfer: Warsaw Chopin Airport to City Center: $429
- Private Transfer from Warsaw to Krakow Private driver service: $299
- Private Transfer from Warsaw to Wroclaw with 2h of Sightseeing: $287
- Private transfer from Warszawa to Krakow: $275
- Private transfer from Warsaw to Krakow with 2h of Sightseeing: $270
- Private transfer Warsaw-Poznań or Poznań-Warsaw: $254
- Wilanow Palace and Gardens with Guide, Tickets and Transfers: $225
- Extreme Shooting Range Experience with Transfer: $187
- Extreme Shooting Range Experience with Transfers: $185
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Warsaw?
Prices for flights to both Warsaw 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 $35Warsaw $51
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 Warsaw
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Warsaw:
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Dinner for Two$14
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Lunch for Two$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Warsaw
For Warsaw, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lunch or dinner at Hard Rock Cafe with Skip-the-Line: $33
- Traditional Pierogi Dinner with Beer: $36
- Polish Dumplings Cooking Class: $74
- Warsaw's No 1 cooking class-Polish dumplings with liqueur tasting: $76
- The Art of Pierogi Making - Warsaw cooking class dumplings: $86
- Polish Food Tour: $92
- Warsaw Traditional Food Tour with Adrian: $93
- Half-Day Polish Food Walking Tour with Guide and Dinner: $94
- Warsaw Food Tour with Local Guide: $113
- 4-Hour Polish Food Tour: $115
- Taste of Poland - Old Town food tour and guided walk in one: $115
- Dinner Show at Sabat Theatre: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Warsaw $7.77
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 Warsaw
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Warsaw.
- ''Cheers on wheels''- Vodka tasting tour by Retro Bus : $54
- 2 hour: Palace of Culture & Science Guided Tour in English: $82
- 2 in 1 Warsaw tour Royal Route & Communist Area: $18
- 2-Hour Guided Tour to Wilanów Palace in Warsaw: $50
- 2h Private Cruise for 4 on Vistula in Warsaw with our Helmsman: $169
- 3 hour: POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews Tour: $81
- 3-Hour Guided Cycling Tour of Warsaw: $41
- 3-hour tour at Warsaw Uprising 1944 Museum /inc. Pick-up/: $81
- A unique walking tour of Jewish Warsaw - past and present: $32
- Agvo Shooting Range Experience in Warsaw: $42
- Architecture Walking Tour in Warsaw: $84
- Best of Warsaw - private tour by retro minibus with hotel pickup: $155
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Warsaw $12
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 Warsaw
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Warsaw:
- Pub Crawl with Optional 1-Hour Open Bar: $25
- The Original Pub Crawl: $25
- Warsaw Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $188
- Warsaw Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $190
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Warsaw, we can see that Warsaw 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 Warsaw would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Warsaw 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 Warsaw Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Warsaw?
Warsaw has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Sofia. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Warsaw, 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.