The question we get most before departure: how much does a Bulgaria trip cost, all in, for a car with two or four people? The honest answer is that it depends on the month and the resort more than on anything else. But we can break it down by category, with rough 2026 figures, so you leave with a number in your head instead of a surprise at the first ATM.
Bulgaria has adopted the euro, so you no longer swap leva or work out odd exchange rates over every coffee. A small detail that simplifies the whole budget.
The drive: fuel, vignette, bridge
For anyone arriving by car, the road is the first line in the budget and usually the most predictable.
- Fuel: reckon on around €2/litre (rough, varies). For a round trip from the border to the coast, a reasonable diesel run works out to roughly €50–80 per car, depending on how far up the coast you go (Albena sits higher than Sozopol).
- Electronic vignette: required on Bulgaria's main roads. A one-week e-vignette costs a few euros and is bought online before the border. Practical details are on our fuel page.
- Giurgiu–Ruse bridge: there's a toll, paid at the bridge. A small sum, but don't leave it out. See the Giurgiu–Ruse bridge page.
Good news: since Romania and Bulgaria joined Schengen, there's no passport control at the border, so the crossing is much faster than a few years ago.
Lodging — where most of the budget goes
Lodging is what separates a cheap holiday from an expensive one. The difference is less about the resort and more about the month and the type of place.
- Apartment / studio with kitchen, off-season (early June, September): from €30–50/night (rough).
- 3-star hotel, breakfast included, in season: around €60–90/night (rough).
- 4-star hotel near the beach, peak season (July–August): €100+/night, climbing fast in Sunny Beach or Albena.
Editor's tip: to cut the cost, pick an apartment with a kitchen in a quieter resort like Pomorie or the old town of Nessebar, not an all-inclusive in the middle of Sunny Beach.
Food: from self-catering to dinner on the promenade
This is where you have the most control.
- Breakfast at the apartment (supermarket shopping): a few euros per person per day.
- Simple lunch at a mehana (traditional tavern): around €8–15 per person (rough).
- Fish-and-wine dinner on the promenade: €20–30 per person, more in tourist spots.
A realistic mix — cooking in the morning, eating out once a day — works out to roughly €20–35 per person per day for food.
Beach, sunbed and activities
- Sunbed + umbrella: on managed beaches, around €8–15/day for the set (rough). Public beaches are free, but bring your own towel.
- Trips / water parks: an Aqua Park ticket or a boat tour — €15–30 per person.
- Wine and tastings: the Pomorie area is good for this and won't break the budget.
Three sample budgets for a one-week stay
Figures are for two people, 7 nights, car travel included, all rough and season-dependent:
- Budget — apartment with kitchen, off-season, mostly self-catering: around €500–700 per couple. See how it's done in our low-budget guide.
- Mid-range — 3-star hotel with breakfast, meals out, a few activities: around €900–1,300 per couple.
- Comfort — 4-star hotel by the beach, in season, restaurant daily: €1,800+ per couple.
FAQ
Is Bulgaria cheaper than the Romanian coast? On lodging and food, generally yes, especially off-season and in quiet resorts. The gap narrows at the July–August peak in Sunny Beach.
How much for the drive? For a round trip to the coast, think €60–100 per car including vignette and bridge (rough).
Can I pay by card everywhere? In the resorts, mostly yes. Still, keep some cash for markets, beaches and small mehanas.
The practical takeaway: a decent Bulgaria week for a couple realistically starts at €500–700 if you pick the month and lodging well. For the on-the-road figures, also read when the Bulgarian coast is cheapest.
