Which place is cheaper, Sofia or Timisoara / Temesvar?
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 Timisoara / Temesvar or Sofia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Timisoara / Temesvar or Sofia? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Timisoara / Temesvar or Sofia?
Timisoara / Temesvar
A very cosmopolitan city, Timisoara has become the main social, economic, and cultural center in western Romania. It is sometimes called little Vienna due to its impressive architecture from the Austria Empire era and abundance of museums.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Romania, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Romania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria.
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Timisoara / Temesvar Prices
Romania PricesSofia Prices
Bulgaria Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTimisoara / Temesvar $81Sofia $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Timisoara / Temesvar is $81, while the average daily cost in Sofia is $86. 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 Timisoara / Temesvar and Sofia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTimisoara / Temesvar $25Sofia $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTimisoara / Temesvar $50Sofia $88
Compare Hotels in Timisoara / Temesvar and Sofia
Looking for a hotel in Timisoara / Temesvar or Sofia? 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: Timisoara / Temesvar Hotel Prices and Sofia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Timisoara / Temesvar $27Sofia $9.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Timisoara / Temesvar
Also for Timisoara / Temesvar, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Timisoara Aurel Vlaicu Airport to Timisoara: $60
- Timisoara Airport transfer to the city: $24
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Timisoara / Temesvar or Sofia?
Prices for flights to both Sofia and Timisoara / Temesvar 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 dayTimisoara / Temesvar $40Sofia $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Timisoara / Temesvar
For Timisoara / Temesvar, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bite your way through Timisoara - Timisoara's Street Food Tour : $66
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Timisoara / Temesvar $9.59Sofia $6.54
Tours and Activities in Timisoara / Temesvar
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Timisoara / Temesvar.
- Castles and Wine Private Tour to Transylvania: $215
- City Tour Timisoara: $42
- Day Tour to Danube's Gorge: $162
- Ecumenical Tour of Timisoara: $30
- Nera Gorge National Park - Private Day Tour from Timisoara: $179
- The Classic Tour of Timisoara: $42
- The Grand Tour of Communist Ages at Timisoara: $66
- The Jewish Heritage Tour of Timisoara: $54
- Timisoara All in One - Walking and Tram Tour: $92
- Timisoara City Tour - A Day To Remember: $72
- Timisoara Downtown Dream Tour: $36
- Timisoara Grand Tour : $89
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTimisoara / Temesvar $8.93Sofia $9.26
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 comparing the travel costs between Timisoara / Temesvar and Sofia, we can see that Sofia is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Timisoara / Temesvar Expensive? and Is Sofia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Timisoara / Temesvar or Sofia?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Timisoara / Temesvar. When comparing the sizes of Timisoara / Temesvar and Sofia, 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.