A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Annecy vs. Balaton Lake for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Annecy or Balaton Lake?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Annecy and Balaton Lake can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Annecy or Balaton Lake?

Annecy

Annecy is an alpine town in southeastern France, where Lake Annecy feeds into the Thiou River. It's known for its Vieille Ville (old town), with cobbled streets, winding canals and pastel-colored houses. Annecy is situated on a stunning aqua clear lake between the Northern alps of France. Only thirty minutes away from Geneva, Switzerland, this French-Swiss town is unlike any other. Another nickname for this city is the Venice of France because the small center of the city is filled with water passages lined with beautiful flower boxes. The city is romantic because the waterways filled with lights that illuminate the bricks and you feel as if you are in a whole other world with no one around you. The purity of the lake and the beauty of its setting compels Anneciens outdoors - in good weather it seems everyone is hanging out in pavement cafes, mountain-gazing along the lakefront, swimming in the lake, or just aimlessly cycling around it.

Balaton Lake

Balaton is a major freshwater lake in Hungary and the largest lake in Central Europe with a shoreline of 197 kilometers. The region around the lake is a popular holiday destination with a great number of resort towns and high-rise hotels to accommodate visitors seeking out lakeside activities, beaches, volcanic hills, and vineyards. Some of the towns are also very historic, offering examples from eighteenth-century art and architecture to castle ruins.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Annecy and Balaton Lake, we can see that Annecy is more expensive. And not only is Balaton Lake much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Balaton Lake would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Balaton Lake and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Annecy would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Annecy than you might in Balaton Lake.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Annecy Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Annecy or Balaton Lake?

Annecy has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Annecy and Balaton Lake, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Annecy or Balaton Lake?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Annecy or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

Both Balaton Lake and Annecy during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Annecy because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Annecy is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the summer temperatures in Annecy in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Balaton Lake, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Annecy. In the summer, Annecy often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Annecy gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun.

Annecy usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Balaton Lake. Annecy gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Annecy or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Annecy and Balaton Lake. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

In October, Annecy is generally around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Annecy average around 14°C (56°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Annecy usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during autumn. Annecy gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Annecy usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Annecy gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Annecy or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Annecy as well as Balaton Lake. Many travelers come to Annecy for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Balaton Lake can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Annecy. Annecy is much warmer than Balaton Lake in the winter. The daily temperature in Annecy averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Annecy often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Annecy gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun.

Annecy usually gets more rain in January than Balaton Lake. Annecy gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Annecy or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

Both Balaton Lake and Annecy are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Annecy in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Annecy is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the spring temperatures in Annecy in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Annecy usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake during spring. Annecy gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Annecy usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Annecy gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Annecy