How much does Bulgaria cost?
Bulgaria is one of Europe's best-value destinations. Prices are quoted in lev (BGN), with roughly 1.95 BGN to 1 euro - a rate fixed for years. Even in Sofia, a meal, a museum and a tram ride won't dent your wallet the way Western Europe does.
Daily budgets
- Backpacker: 50-75 BGN (25-38 EUR) a day - hostel dorms, bakery breakfasts, public transport.
- Mid-range: 110-180 BGN (55-90 EUR) a day - a private room, restaurant meals, the odd taxi.
- Comfortable: 250+ BGN (130+ EUR) a day - boutique hotels, guided trips, wine with dinner.
Sample prices
- Banitsa pastry and boza from a bakery: 2-4 BGN
- Shopska salad in a mehana (tavern): 6-9 BGN
- Main dish with grilled meat: 12-20 BGN
- Local beer (0.5L): 3-5 BGN
- Sofia metro or tram ticket: 1.60 BGN
- Coffee in a city cafe: 3-5 BGN
- Hostel dorm bed: 25-40 BGN
- Three-star hotel double: 80-150 BGN
Cities and regions
Sofia and the Black Sea resorts like Sunny Beach and Nessebar are the priciest. Plovdiv, with its Roman theatre and Kapana arts quarter, is gentler on the budget. The ski town of Bansko spikes in winter but is cheap in summer. Rural villages and the Rila and Pirin mountains are the cheapest of all.
Money and cards
Cards (Visa and Mastercard) are widely accepted in cities, but carry cash for village shops, markets and small mehanas. Use bank ATMs and always decline the conversion when the machine offers to charge you in euros - choose lev for a better rate. Avoid Euronet ATMs in tourist spots, which charge high fees. Tipping is modest: round up or leave about 10 percent.
Saving tips
- Eat where locals do - a hearty tavern lunch costs a fraction of tourist-strip prices.
- Buy a day pass for Sofia public transport.
- Travel by train or bus between cities - Sofia to Plovdiv is under 15 BGN.
- Visit free museums on the last Monday of the month and stroll the free city parks.
- Shop at markets like Sofia's Zhenski Pazar for fruit, cheese and bread.
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