Travel budget and cost of living in Sofia (Bulgaria) how much does a trip cost?

Sofia travel budget

Sofia: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Sofia

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Sofia for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Sofia compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Sofia in 2025 is 34% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Sofia in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Sofia by expense type

Restaurant budget in Sofia

Lunch

$ 12/person
($ 7.1 to $ 25)

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45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

3 course dinner

$ 29/person
($ 19 to $ 37)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 41

McDonald's meal

$ 9/person
($ 9 to $ 12)

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25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 3 for 500ml
($ 1.2 to $ 3.6)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.5

Imported beer

$ 1.9 for 330ml
($ 1.4 to $ 2.7)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Cappuccino

$ 2.6/cup
($ 1.2 to $ 3.6)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.6

Fizzy drink

$ 1.6/can
($ 1.1 to $ 2.5)

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40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8

Water bottle

$ 1.1/bottle
($ 0.6 to $ 1.8)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Sofia

1-star hotel

$ 117/night
($ 32 to $ 327)

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33% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 176

2-star hotel

$ 88/night
($ 33 to $ 239)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168

3-star hotel

$ 88/night
($ 39 to $ 254)

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64% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 247

4-star hotel

$ 127/night
($ 67 to $ 286)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 348

5-star hotel

$ 163/night
($ 98 to $ 271)

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71% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 567

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 64/month
($ 44 to $ 114)

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64% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 178

Room with kitchen

$ 117/month
($ 44 to $ 370)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 265

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 142/month
($ 54 to $ 416)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 225

Cottage or guest house

$ 137/month
($ 55 to $ 225)

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46% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 255

Family room

$ 203/month
($ 48 to $ 1324)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 219

Supermarket food budget in Sofia

Milk

$ 1.9/litre
($ 1.6 to $ 2.2)

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67% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 1.3/500g
($ 0.8 to $ 1.8)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Rice

$ 2.3/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 3)

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53% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Eggs

$ 3.9/12 eggs
($ 2.6 to $ 5)

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3% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Chicken

$ 8.5/kg
($ 4.8 to $ 12)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Apples

$ 1.9/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 2.5)

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66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7

Tomatoes

$ 2.7/kg
($ 1.8 to $ 3.6)

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49% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Potatoes

$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 2.5)

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61% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Water bottle

$ 0.8
($ 0.5 to $ 1.2)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in Sofia

Bus ticket

$ 0.9/ticket
($ 0.9 to $ 1.2)

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64% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Taxi (per km)

$ 0.8/km
($ 0.7 to $ 1.2)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Petrol

$ 1.6/litre
($ 1.5 to $ 1.8)

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57% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1.5
($ 1.2 to $ 1.8)

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62% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Car hire

$ 30/24hrs
($ 8.2 to $ 67)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 81

Leisure activity budget in Sofia

Cinema

$ 9.6/ticket
($ 9 to $ 12)

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37% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 24/hr
($ 12 to $ 37)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Sofia

Cigarettes

$ 3.7/pack
($ 3.6 to $ 4.2)

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66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 76
($ 37 to $ 133)

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31% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58

Summer dress

$ 38
($ 25 to $ 55)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

London → Sofia

$ 164
(fair price: $ 134)

Edinburgh → Sofia

$ 202
(fair price: $ 172)

Montreal → Sofia

$ 973
(fair price: $ 883)

Dublin → Sofia

$ 198
(fair price: $ 164)

Manchester → Sofia

$ 219
(fair price: $ 179)

Chicago → Sofia

$ 801
(fair price: $ 686)

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