What does Bulgaria cost?
Bulgaria is one of the most affordable travel countries in the EU — prices are 40–60% below German levels. Only Romania is slightly cheaper in the EU. Even in tourist hotspots like Sunny Beach or Bansko, prices are surprisingly low by Western European standards.
Important: Bulgaria uses the Lev (BGN) as its currency, not the Euro. The exchange rate is fixed to the Euro: 1€ = 1.9558 BGN. In many tourist areas, Euros are also accepted, but at worse rates. Card payments (Visa, Mastercard) are widespread in cities and hotels, but cash is often still needed in rural areas and small restaurants.
Typical Prices (Guidelines 2025/2026)
| Item | Price (€) |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | 1.00–2.00 |
| Lunch (Mehana/Restaurant) | 5–10 |
| Dinner with wine | 10–20 |
| Beer (0.5l in a restaurant) | 1.50–3.00 |
| Beer (0.5l in a supermarket) | 0.50–1.00 |
| Supermarket shopping (1 day) | 8–15 |
| Hostel (dormitory) | 8–15 |
| Hotel (mid-range, double room) | 30–70 |
| Beach hotel (double room, high season) | 50–120 |
| Holiday apartment (per night) | 20–50 |
| Bus Sofia–Plovdiv | 6–10 |
| Bus Sofia–Varna | 12–20 |
| Rental car (per day) | 15–35 |
| Ski pass Bansko (1 day) | 35–45 |
| Museum entries | 2–6 |