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How much money should I take with me on vacation to Bulgaria
How much money should I take with me on vacation to Bulgaria
Bulgaria is one of the most accessible destinations in Europe with Thracian tombs and sanctuaries, beautiful Renaissance architecture in vibrant colors, stunning national parks and a great coastline. The inquisitive traveler will not be disappointed. However, it is still important to have an idea of how much money you will spend. Here are some things to keep in mind when evaluating how much money to take with you on your trip to Bulgaria.
Since the largest international airport is located in Sofia, you will probably land here in the capital. Sofia is a great place to spend two or three days, it is also easy to make a multi-day trip from here. Hike to wonderful mountains, historic monasteries or ski destinations. If you want to take a break from city life, choose a trip to Plovdiv. Despite being the second largest city in the country, the atmosphere is calmer, but there is also plenty to do.
Transport
The metro connects Terminal 2 of Sofia Airport with the rest of the city. If you are arriving at Terminal 1, you should take the free bus to Terminal 2. A single metro ticket costs approximately 1 USD (1.60 leva) and a day ticket for all public transport within Sofia costs approximately 2.50 USD. This is a good offer for those who plan to use public transport at least three times. If you're staying in the city center, keep in mind that it's compact and walkable, so you may not need to use transportation at all.
Accommodation
A room in a hostel with breakfast will cost travelers between $10 and $20 per night, while a double room in a three-star hotel in the city center will cost closer to $50-70. If you prefer Airbnb, plan on spending $20 to $40 per night.
Food and Drink
Since restaurants in Bulgaria are not expensive, you won't have to spend a lot of money on this part of your trip. Lunch for two in a mid-range restaurant with desserts and a bottle of wine will cost $20-$50. A simple meal with beer can even cost less than $15. Plan to spend $5 to $8 for downtown cocktails. If you purchase a quick burger or kebab from a street vendor, it will cost less than $4.
A transfer from Sofia to the Rila Monastery costs about 25 dollars, and a transfer to the Seven Rila Lakes costs about 35 dollars. A train ticket to Plovdiv costs about $6 one way, and a one-way bus ticket costs $9.
In total
If you want to spend three full days in Sofia with a day trip, sample the local cuisine in restaurants and visit several museums, get ready to charge around $350-400 per person.
Transport
If you stay in Bulgaria for a week, you are likely to make more day trips. Public buses and trains connect the country quite well and are cheap. For example, a first-class train ticket back to the seaside city of Burgas costs about $30.
Accommodation
In smaller towns, hotel rooms tend to be a bit cheaper. The Bulgarian Riviera has a huge number of resorts and hotels on offer, which means an even more affordable price. Set aside $25 to $50 a night for a double room at one of these establishments.
Food and drink
If you plan to eat out three times a day every day while you are in Bulgaria, you will only need to reserve about $25 per person per day. If you want alcoholic drinks and snacks, then you will have to allocate a little more.
Accommodation
It's easy (and much cheaper) to organize your own tour around the country, but if you're interested in specific multi-day tours, remember that they are quite expensive and can skyrocket to around $850 for a six-day tour. If this interests you, then check out tours exploring abandoned villages in the Rhodope Mountains or, among other things, communist relics.
Total
About $600 a week in Bulgaria will allow you to have a very pleasant holiday if you don't choose expensive tours. To save some money and meet more locals, organize your own tours.
Two weeks in Bulgaria will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the country. Stay for a day or two in a rural guesthouse to truly appreciate Bulgarian hospitality, or plan a guided hike up the mountains to some of the free national parks, although you will have to pay for a guide. Mountain lodges are very cheap (usually around $6-9 per night), but they are like hostels, so you will have to share a room with other guests. In total, less than $1,000 is enough for 14 days in Bulgaria.
TRANSIT
Since the largest international airport is located in Sofia, you will probably land here in the capital. Sofia is a great place to spend two or three days, it is also easy to make a multi-day trip from here. Hike to wonderful mountains, historic monasteries or ski destinations. If you want to take a break from city life, choose a trip to Plovdiv. Despite being the second largest city in the country, the atmosphere is calmer, but there is also plenty to do.
Transport
The metro connects Terminal 2 of Sofia Airport with the rest of the city. If you are arriving at Terminal 1, you should take the free bus to Terminal 2. A single metro ticket costs approximately 1 USD (1.60 leva) and a day ticket for all public transport within Sofia costs approximately 2.50 USD. This is a good offer for those who plan to use public transport at least three times. If you're staying in the city center, keep in mind that it's compact and walkable, so you may not need to use transportation at all.
Accommodation
A room in a hostel with breakfast will cost travelers between $10 and $20 per night, while a double room in a three-star hotel in the city center will cost closer to $50-70. If you prefer Airbnb, plan on spending $20 to $40 per night.
Food and Drink
Since restaurants in Bulgaria are not expensive, you won't have to spend a lot of money on this part of your trip. Lunch for two in a mid-range restaurant with desserts and a bottle of wine will cost $20-$50. A simple meal with beer can even cost less than $15. Plan to spend $5 to $8 for downtown cocktails. If you purchase a quick burger or kebab from a street vendor, it will cost less than $4.
ONE DAY EXCURSIONS
A transfer from Sofia to the Rila Monastery costs about 25 dollars, and a transfer to the Seven Rila Lakes costs about 35 dollars. A train ticket to Plovdiv costs about $6 one way, and a one-way bus ticket costs $9.
In total
If you want to spend three full days in Sofia with a day trip, sample the local cuisine in restaurants and visit several museums, get ready to charge around $350-400 per person.
ONE WEEK
Transport
If you stay in Bulgaria for a week, you are likely to make more day trips. Public buses and trains connect the country quite well and are cheap. For example, a first-class train ticket back to the seaside city of Burgas costs about $30.
Accommodation
In smaller towns, hotel rooms tend to be a bit cheaper. The Bulgarian Riviera has a huge number of resorts and hotels on offer, which means an even more affordable price. Set aside $25 to $50 a night for a double room at one of these establishments.
Food and drink
If you plan to eat out three times a day every day while you are in Bulgaria, you will only need to reserve about $25 per person per day. If you want alcoholic drinks and snacks, then you will have to allocate a little more.
Accommodation
It's easy (and much cheaper) to organize your own tour around the country, but if you're interested in specific multi-day tours, remember that they are quite expensive and can skyrocket to around $850 for a six-day tour. If this interests you, then check out tours exploring abandoned villages in the Rhodope Mountains or, among other things, communist relics.
Total
About $600 a week in Bulgaria will allow you to have a very pleasant holiday if you don't choose expensive tours. To save some money and meet more locals, organize your own tours.
TWO WEEKS
Two weeks in Bulgaria will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the country. Stay for a day or two in a rural guesthouse to truly appreciate Bulgarian hospitality, or plan a guided hike up the mountains to some of the free national parks, although you will have to pay for a guide. Mountain lodges are very cheap (usually around $6-9 per night), but they are like hostels, so you will have to share a room with other guests. In total, less than $1,000 is enough for 14 days in Bulgaria.
08-02-2023