Bulgaria is one of the best-value EU countries in Europe — significantly cheaper than any Western European destination, with a quality of food, culture and scenery that rivals far more expensive neighbours. Here's exactly what things cost.
✔ Budget daily cost: €30–50 (hostel/guesthouse, local food, transport)
✔ Mid-range daily cost: €60–90 (boutique hotel, restaurants, guided tour)
✔ Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGN) — €1 ≈ 1.96 BGN
✔ Cards: widely accepted in cities. Carry some lev cash for markets and villages
✔ ATMs: available everywhere — use bank ATMs for best rates
What Things Cost in Bulgaria
🏨 Accommodation
Bulgaria offers outstanding accommodation for the price.
Hostels: €10–18/night dorm in Sofia, Plovdiv and coastal resorts. Good social scene.
Guesthouses: €25–45/night — excellent value, often including breakfast. The Plovdiv old town has several beautifully restored properties.
Mid-range hotels: €50–80/night for boutique hotels in Plovdiv and Sofia — exceptional quality for the price.
Bansko ski hotels: €45–80/night in ski season, often including sauna and spa facilities.
🍽️ Food Costs
Bulgarian food is excellent and very cheap.
Banitsa (flakey cheese/spinach pastry): €0.50–0.80
Shopska salad (tomato, cucumber, sirene cheese): €2.50–4
Mehana meal (kavarma, grilled meats, salad): €5–10
Restaurant main course: €4–9
Coffee (espresso): €0.80–1.50
Beer (Kamenitza or Zagorka local): €1.00–2.00
Bulgarian wine (glass in restaurant): €2–4
Full dinner for two with wine: €20–35
🚗 Transport Costs
Car rental: €30–50/day from Sofia airport — strongly recommended for Rila Monastery, Rose Valley and the coast.
Train Sofia–Plovdiv: €5–7, 2.5 hours — comfortable and scenic.
Bus intercity: €5–12 between major cities.
Sofia Metro: €0.80/ride — excellent system covering the main sights.
Taxi in Sofia: €3–6 across the city using the OK Supertrans app.
🎟️ Sightseeing Costs
Rila Monastery: Free (donation welcome)
Plovdiv Roman Amphitheatre: €4
Plovdiv Ethnographic Museum: €5
Bachkovo Monastery: Free
Tsarevets Fortress (Veliko Tarnovo): €6
Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak: €6
Boyana Church (Sofia, UNESCO): €10 (limited entry, book ahead)
National History Museum Sofia: €10
📅 Sample Daily Budgets
Backpacker (€30–45/day): Hostel dorm €14, banitsa breakfast €1, local mehana lunch €5, restaurant dinner €8, beers €4, metro/bus €3. Covers all the main sights comfortably.
Mid-range (€60–90/day): Boutique hotel €60, café breakfast €5, restaurant lunch €12, dinner with wine €25, museum entries €8. Comfortable and excellent quality.
Comfortable (€100–150/day): Best boutique hotel in Plovdiv old town €80, meals in finer restaurants €50, guided tour or wine estate visit €25. Genuinely luxurious by Bulgarian standards.
FAQs
Is Bulgaria the cheapest EU country?
One of the cheapest — alongside Romania. Significantly cheaper than Greece, Croatia, Czech Republic or Poland for equivalent accommodation and food. The Black Sea coast in particular offers exceptional beach value.
Can you travel Bulgaria on €50/day?
Comfortably — including a guesthouse room, three meals and public transport. €35/day is possible in a hostel eating local food.
Is Bansko ski resort good value vs the Alps?
Dramatically better value. Day lift pass around €35–40 (vs €65–90+ in the Alps). Ski school, equipment hire and accommodation all roughly 40–50% cheaper. Snow reliability is good December–March.