Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Bulgaria and Romania, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Bulgaria and Romania, 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.
16 of the 29 items cost less in Bulgaria.
Bottled, convenience store
Bulgaria: ≈ $0.46 – $0.87 €0.41 – €0.77 Romania: ≈ $0.42 – $0.84 lei 2–4 Cafe or street vendor
Bulgaria: ≈ $1.40 – $2.30 €1.20 – €2.00 Romania: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 lei 8–16 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Bulgaria: ≈ $2.80 – $4.50 €2.50 – €4.00 Romania: ≈ $2.10 – $4.20 lei 10–20 Tourist area, main course
Bulgaria: ≈ $6 – $17 €5 – €15 Romania: ≈ $13 – $25 lei 60–120 Local market or stand
Bulgaria: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5 Romania: ≈ $5 – $11 lei 25–50 Mixed drink, bar
Bulgaria: ≈ $6 – $10 €5 – €9 Romania: ≈ $5.30 – $9.50 lei 25–45 House wine, restaurant
Bulgaria: ≈ $9 – $20 €8 – €18 Romania: ≈ $8 – $21 lei 40–100 Cafe or street stall
Bulgaria: ≈ $1.70 – $2.80 €1.50 – €2.50 Romania: ≈ $3 – $4.90 lei 14–23 Standard route
Bulgaria: ≈ $9 – $23 €8 – €20 Romania: ≈ $11 – $25 lei 50–120 Metered or typical fare
Bulgaria: ≈ $0.45 – $0.73 €0.40 – €0.65 Romania: ≈ $0.53 – $0.74 lei 2.50–3.50 Single ride
Bulgaria: ≈ $0.90 – $1.10 €0.80 – €1.00 Romania: ≈ $0.63 – $1.10 lei 3–5 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Bulgaria: ≈ $9 – $23 €8 – €20 Romania: ≈ $4 – $13 lei 20–60 Tourist shop
Bulgaria: ≈ $1.10 – $2.90 €1.02 – €2.56 Romania: ≈ $1.10 – $3.20 lei 5–15 Tourist shop
Bulgaria: ≈ $9 – $17 €8 – €15 Romania: ≈ $6 – $15 lei 30–70 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Bulgaria: ≈ $9 – $28 €8 – €25 Romania: ≈ $4 – $25 lei 20–120 Data package
Bulgaria: ≈ $4.50 – $9 €4 – €8 Romania: ≈ $2 – $13 lei 10–60 Pharmacy or shop
Bulgaria: ≈ $7 – $11 €6 – €10 Romania: ≈ $6 – $23 lei 30–110 Supermarket
Bulgaria: ≈ $0.51 – $0.84 €0.45 – €0.75 Romania: ≈ $0.63 – $1.10 lei 3–5 Pack of 20
Bulgaria: ≈ $3.40 – $4.10 €3.00 – €3.60 Romania: ≈ $5.30 – $7.40 lei 25–35 Pack of 20 tablets
Bulgaria: ≈ $1.70 – $2.30 €1.50 – €2.00 Romania: ≈ $0.32 – $0.63 lei 1.50–3.00 Spray or lotion
Bulgaria: ≈ $1.70 – $6.80 €1.50 – €6.00 Romania: ≈ $3.80 – $6.30 lei 18–30 Local barbershop
Bulgaria: ≈ $6 – $17 €5 – €15 Romania: ≈ $5 – $13 lei 25–60 Laundry service
Bulgaria: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5 Romania: ≈ $4.20 – $7.40 lei 20–35 Standard full-body massage
Bulgaria: ≈ $51 – $84 €45 – €75 Romania: ≈ $42 – $74 lei 200–350 Basic cut, salon
Bulgaria: ≈ $17 – $39 €15 – €35 Romania: ≈ $15 – $32 lei 70–150 Entrance ticket
Bulgaria: ≈ $3.40 – $9 €3 – €8 Romania: ≈ $4 – $13 lei 20–60 Organized excursion
Bulgaria: ≈ $23 – $56 €20 – €50 Romania: ≈ $17 – $53 lei 80–250 Organized excursion 6-8h
Bulgaria: ≈ $28 – $51 €25 – €45 Romania: ≈ $32 – $84 lei 150–400 Local cuisine cooking class
Bulgaria: ≈ $28 – $62 €25 – €55 Romania: ≈ $42 – $63 lei 200–300 Tourist prices are about 2.6× the fair price in Romania, against 2.4× in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria 9th lowest of 60
Romania 26th lowest of 60
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.
Romania Tipping 10% is customary in Romanian restaurants. Leave cash on the table or hand it to the waiter. In Bucharest city-centre restaurants, a 10% tip is a firm expectation, especially in tourist areas near the Old Town.
No. In Bulgaria you pay about 5% less than in Romania at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Bulgaria 98, Romania 103 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 16 of the 29 items cost less in Bulgaria.
A week is cheaper in Bulgaria: about $165 at fair prices, against $250 in Romania. 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 $565 in Romania.
In Bulgaria: food and drinks cost about 21% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $6 – $17 in Bulgaria and $13 – $25 in Romania, street food $2.30 – $5.60 and $5 – $11.
In Romania: tourist prices there are about 2.6× the fair price on average, against 2.4× in Bulgaria. The biggest gaps in Romania: city taxi 1 km (6.7×), private transfer (4.4×), and half-day group tour (4.2×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Bulgaria vs Romania, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/bulgaria-vs-romania/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
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