Is Sofia expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Sofia is one of the cheapest capitals in the European Union, with food, transport and hotels far below Western European prices. Plan on about €42 a day per person on a budget, €96 mid-range and €220 for comfort. Accommodation is the main cost; meals in a mehana, coffee and the metro are very cheap.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €20 | €45 | €100 |
| Food & drink | €15 | €30 | €60 |
| Sights & tickets | €5 | €15 | €40 |
| Local transport | €2 | €6 | €20 |
| Per person, per day | €42 | €96 | €220 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Sofia day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Banitsa (cheese pastry) | about €1 |
| Coffee in a café | about €1.50–2.50 |
| Main course in a central mehana (tavern) | about €8–14 |
| Kebapche and shopska salad dinner | about €10–15 |
| Metro ride | about €0.80 |
| Taxi across the city (major company) | about €5–8 |
| Boyana Church | about €5–6 |
| National History Museum | about €5–6 |
| Mid-range central hotel | €70–120 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation takes the largest share of a budget, although even central hotels are cheap compared with Western Europe. Food and drink are very good value, from bakery breakfasts to full dinners in traditional taverns. Sights are inexpensive, and several of the best — Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Roman Serdica complex and the mineral springs — are free. The main extras are day trips, such as a small-group tour to Rila Monastery (about €35–60), and the Vitosha mountain.
When it is cheaper
Prices are fairly stable through the year, with the lowest hotel rates in late autumn and winter outside the Christmas period. Business events can push up weekday hotel prices.
How to spend less
- Eat banitsa and boza for breakfast from bakeries, for about €1–2.
- Use the metro (about €0.80 a ride) — line M1 runs to Airport Terminal 2 in about 20 minutes.
- Take yellow taxis from large companies or use an app, and check the price sticker on the window.
- Join the Free Sofia Tour from the Palace of Justice and tip what you think it was worth.
- Fill a bottle at the free hot mineral-water taps opposite the Banya Bashi Mosque.
- Take the public bus to Rila Monastery if you can manage the once-a-day timetable.
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Common questions
Is Sofia cheap?
Yes, it is one of the cheapest capitals in the EU, especially for food, transport and hotels.
What currency does Bulgaria use?
Bulgaria adopted the euro in 2026. Some older signs may still show prices in leva.
How much does a meal cost in Sofia?
A main course in a central tavern costs about €8–14, and a banitsa about €1.