Skip to main content

Price comparison

Bulgaria vs Greece: which is cheaper to visit in 2026?

The same 29 everyday buys in Bulgaria and Greece, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.

Bulgaria and Greece side by side

The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.

Side by side Bulgaria Greece
TruePrice Index
98 Average 28th cheapest of 60 Cheaper
145 Pricey 14th most expensive of 60
Tourist markup
Tourist prices are about 2.4× the fair price 9th lowest of 60
Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price 22nd lowest of 60
Fair day Two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride. Accommodation is left out on purpose.
$24 €21 Cheaper
$36 €32
Tourist-trap day
$48 €43
$84 €75
Emergency number
112 All services Covers police, ambulance, and fire brigade
Currency
Euro (EUR) 1 USD = 0.8888 EUR
Euro (EUR) 1 USD = 0.8888 EUR

Item by item: all 29 fair prices

What locals pay in Bulgaria and Greece, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.

25 of the 29 items cost less in Bulgaria.

Cheaper in Bulgaria: 25. Cheaper in Greece: 1. About the same: 3.
Cheaper side Bars share one scale per item, from zero to the higher fair price.
Food & drinks 8 prices
Cheaper in Bulgaria: 7. Cheaper in Greece: 1. About the same: 0.
  • Water 0.5 L

    Bottled, convenience store

    Bulgaria: ≈ $0.46 – $0.87 €0.41 – €0.77
    Greece: ≈ $0.56 – $1.10 €0.50 – €1.00
    21% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Coffee (espresso)

    Cafe or street vendor

    Bulgaria: ≈ $1.40 – $2.30 €1.20 – €2.00
    Greece: ≈ $2.80 – $5.10 €2.50 – €4.50
    54% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Local beer

    Draft, at bar or restaurant

    Bulgaria: ≈ $2.80 – $4.50 €2.50 – €4.00
    Greece: ≈ $3.90 – $6.80 €3.50 – €6.00
    32% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Restaurant meal

    Tourist area, main course

    Bulgaria: ≈ $6 – $17 €5 – €15
    Greece: ≈ $11 – $23 €10 – €20
    33% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Street food meal

    Local market or stand

    Bulgaria: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5
    Greece: ≈ $3.90 – $5.60 €3.50 – €5.00
    18% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Cocktail at bar

    Mixed drink, bar

    Bulgaria: ≈ $6 – $10 €5 – €9
    Greece: ≈ $8 – $14 €7 – €12
    26% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Bottle of wine (restaurant)

    House wine, restaurant

    Bulgaria: ≈ $9 – $20 €8 – €18
    Greece: ≈ $4.50 – $11 €4 – €10
    46% cheaper in Greece
  • Fresh juice

    Cafe or street stall

    Bulgaria: ≈ $1.70 – $2.80 €1.50 – €2.50
    Greece: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00
    11% cheaper in Bulgaria
Transport 4 prices
Cheaper in Bulgaria: 4. Cheaper in Greece: 0. About the same: 0.
  • Airport taxi to center

    Standard route

    Bulgaria: ≈ $9 – $23 €8 – €20
    Greece: ≈ $45 – $62 €40 – €55
    71% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • City taxi 1 km

    Metered or typical fare

    Bulgaria: ≈ $0.45 – $0.73 €0.40 – €0.65
    Greece: ≈ $0.79 – $1.10 €0.70 – €1.00
    38% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Public transit ticket

    Single ride

    Bulgaria: ≈ $0.90 – $1.10 €0.80 – €1.00
    Greece: ≈ $1.40 – $2.30 €1.20 – €2.00
    44% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Private transfer (app)

    Grab / Bolt / Uber

    Bulgaria: ≈ $9 – $23 €8 – €20
    Greece: ≈ $11 – $62 €10 – €55
    57% cheaper in Bulgaria
Souvenirs 3 prices
Cheaper in Bulgaria: 3. Cheaper in Greece: 0. About the same: 0.
  • Fridge magnet

    Tourist shop

    Bulgaria: ≈ $1.10 – $2.90 €1.02 – €2.56
    Greece: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5
    49% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Printed T-shirt

    Tourist shop

    Bulgaria: ≈ $9 – $17 €8 – €15
    Greece: ≈ $9 – $20 €8 – €18
    12% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Local handcraft

    Ceramics, textiles, etc.

    Bulgaria: ≈ $9 – $28 €8 – €25
    Greece: ≈ $11 – $39 €10 – €35
    27% cheaper in Bulgaria
Daily essentials 6 prices
Cheaper in Bulgaria: 6. Cheaper in Greece: 0. About the same: 0.
  • Tourist SIM card

    Data package

    Bulgaria: ≈ $4.50 – $9 €4 – €8
    Greece: ≈ $11 – $23 €10 – €20
    60% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Sunscreen SPF50

    Pharmacy or shop

    Bulgaria: ≈ $7 – $11 €6 – €10
    Greece: ≈ $9 – $18 €8 – €16
    33% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Water 1.5 L

    Supermarket

    Bulgaria: ≈ $0.51 – $0.84 €0.45 – €0.75
    Greece: ≈ $0.56 – $1.40 €0.50 – €1.20
    29% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Cigarettes

    Pack of 20

    Bulgaria: ≈ $3.40 – $4.10 €3.00 – €3.60
    Greece: ≈ $5.10 – $6.80 €4.50 – €6.00
    37% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Painkillers (paracetamol)

    Pack of 20 tablets

    Bulgaria: ≈ $1.70 – $2.30 €1.50 – €2.00
    Greece: ≈ $2.30 – $3.90 €2.00 – €3.50
    36% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Mosquito repellent

    Spray or lotion

    Bulgaria: ≈ $1.70 – $6.80 €1.50 – €6.00
    Greece: ≈ $3.40 – $6.20 €3.00 – €5.50
    12% cheaper in Bulgaria
Services 4 prices
Cheaper in Bulgaria: 1. Cheaper in Greece: 0. About the same: 3.
  • Men's haircut

    Local barbershop

    Bulgaria: ≈ $6 – $17 €5 – €15
    Greece: ≈ $9 – $20 €8 – €18
    23% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Laundry (per kg)

    Laundry service

    Bulgaria: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5
    Greece: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5
    About the same
  • Massage (1 hour)

    Standard full-body massage

    Bulgaria: ≈ $51 – $84 €45 – €75
    Greece: ≈ $45 – $90 €40 – €80
    About the same
  • Women's haircut

    Basic cut, salon

    Bulgaria: ≈ $17 – $39 €15 – €35
    Greece: ≈ $17 – $39 €15 – €35
    About the same
Attractions 4 prices
Cheaper in Bulgaria: 4. Cheaper in Greece: 0. About the same: 0.
  • Top museum / attraction

    Entrance ticket

    Bulgaria: ≈ $3.40 – $9 €3 – €8
    Greece: ≈ $11 – $34 €10 – €30
    73% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Half-day group tour

    Organized excursion

    Bulgaria: ≈ $23 – $56 €20 – €50
    Greece: ≈ $28 – $68 €25 – €60
    18% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Full-day group tour

    Organized excursion 6-8h

    Bulgaria: ≈ $28 – $51 €25 – €45
    Greece: ≈ $28 – $56 €25 – €50
    7% cheaper in Bulgaria
  • Cooking class

    Local cuisine cooking class

    Bulgaria: ≈ $28 – $62 €25 – €55
    Greece: ≈ $73 – $145 €65 – €130
    59% cheaper in Bulgaria

Where tourists pay more

Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price in Greece, against 2.4× in Bulgaria.

The three buys where tourists overpay most in each country: tourist-trap price against the fair price, using the middle of each range.

Bulgaria

Tourist markup Tourist prices are about 2.4× the fair price

9th lowest of 60

  1. 1 City taxi 1 km Fair €0.40 – €0.65 Trap €2.50 – €5.50 Tourist prices are about 7.6× the fair price
  2. 2 Fridge magnet Fair €1.02 – €2.56 Trap €5.11 – €12.78 Tourist prices are about 5.0× the fair price
  3. 3 Local handcraft Fair €8 – €25 Trap €35 – €100 Tourist prices are about 4.1× the fair price
All prices in Bulgaria

Greece

Tourist markup Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price

22nd lowest of 60

  1. 1 Laundry (per kg) Fair €2 – €5 Trap €15 – €25 Tourist prices are about 5.7× the fair price
  2. 2 Local handcraft Fair €10 – €35 Trap €50 – €120 Tourist prices are about 3.8× the fair price
  3. 3 Water 1.5 L Fair €0.50 – €1.20 Trap €2 – €4 Tourist prices are about 3.5× the fair price
All prices in Greece

Tipping in Bulgaria and Greece

What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, tipping 10% is standard in restaurants. Leave cash directly with the waiter, do not leave it on the table. In Sofia city-centre restaurants, 10% is the firm expectation.

Greece

In Greek tavernas, simply round up the bill, a tip of 5–10% is appreciated but not obligatory. Leave the coins on the table after paying; it is a casual gesture that locals also do.

Bulgaria or Greece: common questions

Is Greece cheaper than Bulgaria?

No. In Bulgaria you pay about 32% less than in Greece at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Bulgaria 98, Greece 145 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 25 of the 29 items cost less in Bulgaria.

Which is cheaper for a week, Bulgaria or Greece?

A week is cheaper in Bulgaria: about $165 at fair prices, against $250 in Greece. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $340 in Bulgaria and $590 in Greece.

Where is food cheaper, in Bulgaria or in Greece?

In Bulgaria: food and drinks cost about 20% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $6 –⁠ $17 in Bulgaria and $11 –⁠ $23 in Greece, street food $2.30 –⁠ $5.60 and $3.90 –⁠ $5.60.

Where do tourists overpay more, in Bulgaria or in Greece?

In Greece: tourist prices there are about 2.5× the fair price on average, against 2.4× in Bulgaria. The biggest gaps in Greece: laundry (5.7×), local handcraft (3.8×), and water 1.5 L (3.5×).

Sources and method

Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.

Prices
Bulgaria 6 verified and 23 estimatesGreece 23 verified and 6 estimates
Checked
Bulgaria to Greece to
Exchange rates
Bulgaria 1 USD = 0.8888 EURGreece 1 USD = 0.8888 EURRate as of
Cities
Bulgaria Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and BanskoGreece Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion
Page updated

How the comparison works

  • Item by item: the middle of each fair range, converted at one daily exchange rate. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
  • Overall: the TruePrice Index, all 29 fair prices against the median of 60 countries, averaged geometrically so no single item can swing it. Within 3% counts as about the same.
  • Tourist day: two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride. Accommodation is left out on purpose: it swings too much with the season and the night of the week.
  • Fair price: what locals typically pay. Tourist-trap price: what tourists are commonly charged in tourist areas.
Full method: the TruePrice Index

How to cite

TruePrice, Bulgaria vs Greece, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/bulgaria-vs-greece/

Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.

Pick one. Then pay what locals pay.

TruePrice keeps fair and tourist prices for both countries, and 58 more, on your phone. Offline too. Free on iPhone and Android.

  • Fair vs tourist prices for 60 countries, offline
  • Scam alerts and emergency numbers
  • A trip budget that checks every expense