What currency do you pay with in Bulgaria? How much do goods cost in a regular supermarket and how much in a restaurant? And how much does a week's stay cost? Find out in this chapter.

Find out the prices of hotels in Bulgaria

Euro

In Bulgaria, as in most other EU countries, the euro, which is worth 100 cents, will be the currency of payment from 2026.

Bank notes are worth 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 euros, while coins are worth 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 euro cents and 1 and 2 euros.

Until 2001, payment was made in Greek drachma.

• International currency code: EUR (numeric code 978)
• Currency symbol: €

Currency exchange offices and where to exchange money to Bulgaria

There are a large number of currency exchange offices in Bulgaria, and not only in the tourist resorts. However, after Bulgaria's accession to the Eurozone, the number of currency exchange offices has significantly decreased and most travellers will now arrive in Bulgaria with Euros.

Payment by card and ATMs

From our point of view, the optimal option is to withdraw from ATMs, unless your bank applies high withdrawal fees abroad. ATM fees may be charged by the Bulgarian bank itself, but they are usually the same or lower than the fees at exchange offices, and you are not exposed to any risk of fraud.

Bulgarian ATMs that do not charge a withdrawal fee:

• Postbank (Eurobank Bulgaria)
• CCB

ATMs such as OTP, Euronet or ING Bank charge a high fee around 5 bgn.

ATMs are easy to find in all major cities and seaside resorts.

Card payments are much less widespread in Bulgaria than elsewhere in Europe.

You can easily pay by card in all supermarkets, hotels, petrol stations or shops selling expensive goods (electronics, clothes, etc.).

On the other hand, you can almost never pay by card in transport, restaurants (except fast-food outlets), monuments or attractions.

You simply cannot do without cash in Bulgaria.

Tipping and bargaining

In some expensive restaurants, a tip of usually 10% is already included in the price.

Generally, however, this is not the rule and tips are left in addition to the total bill at around 10%. The tip is left on the table when you leave; putting it directly in your hand is socially unacceptable.

Bargaining in Bulgaria is not very traditional and we do not recommend trying it even in the markets.

How much does what cost - prices in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is one of the weakest countries in the EU economically. In general, therefore, Bulgaria is cheaper than countries in Western Europe, but the differences are quickly blurring.

Public transport is very cheap in Bulgaria, hotels and car rentals are also cheap. Prices in shops and restaurants are at a comparable level to those in Western Europe.

Inland it is about twice as cheap as in the seaside resorts.

For hotels by the sea, it is always a good idea to book well in advance (at least 2-3 months).

Book a hotel in Bulgaria in advance

Example of prices

How much does basic food, tourist attractions or transport cost in Bulgaria? Check out the indicative price table.

Accommodation in a double room (prices per night)

• Cheap hotel with shared bathroom - from 25 eur
• 3* hotel in inland - from 41 eur
• 3* hotel by the beach - from 54 eur (off-season from 41 eur)
• Hotel with half board by the beach - from 103 eur
• Accommodation offers in Bulgaria

Food in the restaurant

• Hot main meal in the beach restaurant - 10 eur
• Hot main meal in a restaurant in the inland - 8 eur
• Three-course menu for 2 in a better restaurant in the city centre - 20 eur
• Menu in a fast-food restaurant - 8 eur
• Espresso or Cappuccino - 1,80 eur
• Water 0.33 l - 0,50 eur
• Draft beer - 1,80 eur

Food in a supermarket

• Water 1.5l - 0,30 eur
• Coca Cola (and other sodas) 2l - 1,30 eur
• Milk 1l - 1,50 eur
• Ice cream scoop - 1,50 eur
• Canned fish - 2,30 eur
• Apples - 1,40 eur / kg
• Bananas - 1,70 eur / kg
• Oranges - 0,50 eur / kg
• Eggs 6 pcs - 1,50 eur
• Pasta 500 g - 1,80 eur
• Chicken 500 g - 3,90 eur

Transport

• Price of petrol - prices vary considerably over time, but are cheaper than in neighbouring countries
• Long-distance bus or train ticket - 15 eur to 18 eur (between Sofia and Burgas/Varna)
• Suburban bus - approx. 4 eur / 1 hour ride
• Public transport, one way - 1 eur
• Taxi - 1,30 eur boarding rate + 1,30 eur rate per km

Beaches

• Sunbed and umbrella rental for 1 day - approx. 15 eur (2 sunbeds + 1 umbrella)
• Minigolf - 5 eur
• Pedal boat rental - 10 eur per hour
• Motorboat rental - 50 eur per hour
• Parasailing - 75 eur
• Water banana ride - 15 eur
• Jet Skiing - 75 eur
• Toilet on the beach - 0,50 eur

Cigarettes and alcohol

• Pack of cigarettes - 3 eur
• Beer 0.5 l - 0,90 eur
• Bottle of good wine - 6 eur
• Cocktail in the beach bar - 5 eur

Daily budget - How much money to take with you

How much money to bring to Bulgaria is mainly a question of the type of stay.

If you are going with a tour operator and have most things arranged and paid for in advance, then you won't need more than 150 eur per person for a week in case you want to go out for a drink in the evening, buy some souvenirs, eat at beach restaurants over lunch and enjoy the occasional attraction.

If you are travelling on your own, you will surely find yourself in one of the categories below:

The low-budget traveler takes public transport, bus or minibus. They usually stay in an apartment with a kitchenette. The cheapest way to get food is at local small shops, supermarkets or markets.

Find the cheapest accommodation in Bulgaria

A common traveller is staying in an apartment with breakfast. For lunches, you can go to cheaper restaurants or eat in buffets. You travel by public transport, but rent a car for a few days and go on a trip.

If you're more discerning, stay in a 4* or 5* with at least breakfast. You deal with transport by taxi or hire car throughout your stay and try a different attraction on the beach each day.

The following table shows prices for a week's stay in high season for 2 people. The cost is based on a per day basis for 1 person.

	Accommodation	Food	Public transport	Car rental	Attractions	Total price
Low-cost	140 eur	20 eur	28 eur	0 bgn	20 eur	200 eur
Regular traveller	180 eur	40 eur	40 eur	80 eur	80 eur	220 eur
Expensive option	290 eur	75 eur	0 bgn	230 eur	160 eur	755 eur