How Much Does Sofia Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Sofia serves as an exceptionally affordable gateway to the Balkans, particularly for those focused on the rugged landscapes of Vitosha Mountain. Compared to alpine destinations in Central Europe, this city offers a significantly lower cost of entry for outdoor enthusiasts and cultural explorers alike. Daily budgets typically range from $53 / €45 for solo budget travelers to $365 / €310 for those seeking high-end luxury near the city center. The unique value here lies in the proximity of high-altitude hiking trails and ski runs to a metropolitan core where a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs only $12 / €10. With reliable infrastructure and modest entry fees for major landmarks, visitors can experience a mix of Thracian history and mountain adventure without the financial strain found in Western European capitals.
Is Sofia expensive to visit?
Sofia is highly affordable for all traveler types—expect to spend between $53 / €45 and $365 / €310 per day depending on whether you choose a hostel dorm or a five-star international hotel.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Sofia
$53
per person /day
$147
per person /day
$365
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $159 | $441 | $1,095 |
| 5-Day Trip | $265 | $736 | $1,824 |
| 7-Day Trip | $371 | $1,030 | $2,554 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% budget buffer to account for the customary 10% restaurant tip and the $12 / €10 fine for oversized luggage on public transport. Additionally, permit fees for professional photography inside major cathedrals can add unexpected costs to a day's budget.
How Does It Compare?
See how Sofia stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Sofia
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant Covers a standard lunch or basic dinner at local spots like Supa Star. | $12 €10 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5L) Local brands like Kamenitza or Zagorka are standard. | $3.01 €2.56 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Trip Ticket (30+ Minutes) Valid for transfers within 30 minutes. | $0.97 €0.82 |
| Public Transport Day Pass (24-hour) Provides unlimited travel on metro, trams, and buses for ~$3.61 / €3.07. | $3.61 €3.07 |
| Official Airport Taxi Transfer (Center) Use the official taxi stand at the airport to avoid scams. Rates are ~$0.71 / €0.6 per km. | $15 €13 |
| Simeonovo Gondola Lift (Return) The main access point for hiking Vitosha Mountain. | $18 €15 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Luxury Hotel: InterContinental Sofia by IHG Premium 5-star hotel located near the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. | $182 €155 |
| Mid-Range Hotel: Hotel Via Serdika Comfortable mid-range option in the city center. | $84 €71 |
| Budget Hostel: Hostel Mostel (Dorm Bed) Includes vegetarian dinner and breakfast, making it highly cost-effective for solo travelers. | $21 €18 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| National History Museum Entrance Bulgaria's largest museum. Note that a combined ticket with Boyana Church is ~$9.03 / €7.67. | $7.23 €6.14 |
| Boyana Church (UNESCO) Entrance Famous for 13th-century frescoes. Groups are limited to 8–10 people at a time. | $6.01 €5.11 |
| Museum of Socialist Art Entrance Outdoor sculpture park featuring Lenin statues and socialist realism art. | $3.61 €3.07 |
| Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Crypt Museum The cathedral nave is free to enter, but the museum of icons in the crypt costs ~$6.01 / €5.11. | $6.01 €5.11 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Prepaid Tourist SIM (50GB Data) Standard package for visitors, valid for 30 days. | $12 €10 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Sofia is characterized by hearty portions and very accessible pricing, with a standard domestic draft beer costing approximately $3.01 / €2.56. Budget-conscious hikers often frequent local spots like Supa Star for quick meals at $12 / €10 or grab traditional pastries at Mekitsa & Kafe to fuel their mountain excursions. While luxury tasting menus exist, the best value is found in the 'mehana' style taverns and modern bistros where high-quality local produce is the standard.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Supa Star
$5.3–$11 / €4.5–€9Center (ul. Tsar Shishman) · Local chain
Their Tarator (cold yogurt soup) is a refreshing Bulgarian classic for ~$3.53 / €3.
Skaptobara
$12–$21 / €10–€18Center / Oborishte · Local chain
Arguably the best craft burgers in the city; try the Skapto fries for ~$4.71 / €4.
Mekitsa & Kafe
$1.77–$5.3 / €1.5–€4.5Center · Bakery
Perfect for a traditional Bulgarian breakfast; one mekitsa is roughly ~$1.77 / €1.5.
Divaka
$8.24–$18 / €7–€15Center · Local chain
Reliable spot for massive portions of traditional Bulgarian clay-pot dishes (Sach) for ~$14 / €12.
Hlebar
$2.94–$9.42 / €2.5–€8Oborishte · Bakery
Get the traditional cheese banitsa (~$2.94 / €2.5) and an Ayran yogurt drink.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city and reaching the mountains is remarkably cheap, with a 24-hour public transport pass costing just $3.61 / €3.07 for unlimited use of the metro, trams, and buses. For those heading to the peaks of Vitosha, the Simeonovo Gondola Lift provides return transport for $18 / €15, a fraction of the cost of similar lifts in the Alps. Taxis are also a viable option if booked through official stands, with a trip from the airport to the center averaging $15 / €13.
Accommodation Overview
Accommodation options cater well to both the frugal and the affluent, ranging from a $21 / €18 dorm bed at the social Hostel Mostel to $182 / €155 for a premium room at the InterContinental Sofia. Mid-range travelers will find excellent value at establishments like Hotel Via Serdika for roughly $84 / €71 per night. The 'sweet spot' for value is often found in the Vitosha Mountain Foothills, where lodges offer direct trail access at prices lower than the city center.
Accommodation Budget in Sofia
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase a combined ticket for the National History Museum and Boyana Church for $9.03 / €7.67 to save over individual entry prices.
- 2 Stay at Hostel Mostel, where the $21 / €18 nightly rate for a dorm bed includes both breakfast and a vegetarian dinner.
- 3 Fill reusable water bottles for free at the public Central Mineral Springs near the Regional History Museum.
- 4 Avoid airport taxi touts and use the official Yellow or OK Supertrans desk inside the terminal for a flat-rate transfer of ~$15 / €13.
- 5 Use the Sofia City Card if planning to visit multiple museums, though for most, the $3.61 / €3.07 public transport day pass is sufficient.
- 6 Hike to the Boyana Waterfall instead of taking the lift if you are physically fit; the trail is free and accessible from the city outskirts.
- 7 Shop for hiking supplies at local supermarkets like Billa or Lidl rather than specialized shops in the Vitosha ski area.
- 8 Join the Free Sofia Tour, which runs multiple times daily (11:00, 14:00, and 18:00) to see major landmarks like the St. George Rotunda at no cost.
- 9 Visit the Museum of Socialist Art for just $3.61 / €3.07 to see a large collection of statues and propaganda at a lower price than more central galleries.
- 10 Carry a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC) to receive significant discounts at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Crypt Museum and other state-run sites.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jul, Aug, Dec
+20–35%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-30–40%
May, Jun, Sep
Ski season peaks in Jan–Feb but only affects mountain-adjacent areas; city center hotels remain affordable. May and September offer 20–25°C (68–77°F) weather and moderate prices.
Events to Watch
- ● Sofia Fashion Week (late Mar): +25% city hotels
- ● Christmas Markets (Dec): +20% central stays
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Marvel at the gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (entry to the main nave is $0).
- 2 Explore the Ancient Serdica Archaeological Complex, located in the metro underpasses of the Largo.
- 3 Walk through Borisova Gradina, the city's oldest and most expansive park.
- 4 View the 4th-century St. George Rotunda, tucked behind the Presidency building.
- 5 Observe the changing of the guard ceremony in front of the President's Office (hourly).
- 6 Hike the trail to the Boyana Waterfall for stunning views of the city and nature.
- 7 Visit the Kambanite (The Bells) Monument, an outdoor park featuring bells from all over the world.
- 8 Admire the external architecture of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre and its surrounding fountains.
- 9 Visit the Dragalevtsi Monastery on the lower slopes of Vitosha Mountain.
- 10 Stroll through the open-air sculpture garden at the Museum of Socialist Art (some external areas are viewable for free).
- 11 Take a walk along Vitosha Boulevard for window shopping and a view of the mountain peak.
- 12 Explore the South Park (Yuzhen Park), a popular spot for local joggers and families.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Tasting Menu at Cosmos
Modern Bulgarian cuisine at its finest with molecular gastronomy twists on traditional flavors.
Private Day Trip to Rila Monastery & Seven Rila Lakes
Combines a UNESCO site with a spectacular 2,500-meter alpine hike without the stress of local buses.
Full Day Ski Pass at Vitosha Mountain
Unique opportunity to ski at 2,000+ meters altitude while looking down on a capital city's skyline.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Sofia
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Sofia and what they cost
Rila Monastery
$18 / €15 by Bus
$4.81 / €4.09
$41 / €35
Seven Rila Lakes
$24 / €20 by Shuttle + Chairlift
$15 / €13
$53 / €45
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
High in malls and city restaurants; cash essential for bakeries and small shops.
Round up the bill at cafés (~$0.59 / €0.5) or leave 10% in sit-down restaurants. Leave ~$1.18–$2.35 / €1–€2 for hotel porters.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (UniCredit, DSK) to avoid high fees. Avoid Euronet machines which charge up to ~$5.89–$8.24 / €5–€7 per withdrawal.
Connectivity
eSIM: $9.42–$14 for 10GB (7 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12 / €10 at Sofia Airport for 50GB
WiFi: Excellent in most cafés, hotels, and even public parks like Borisova Gradina.
A local Yettel or Vivacom SIM is significantly cheaper than eSIMs, offering 50GB for ~$12 / €10.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Sofia.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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