Which place is cheaper, Alesund or Balaton Lake?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Balaton Lake or Alesund?
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 Balaton Lake and Alesund can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Alesund?
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.
Alesund
Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBalaton Lake $86Alesund $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Balaton Lake is $86, while the average daily cost in Alesund is $99. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Balaton Lake and Alesund in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBalaton Lake $48Alesund $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBalaton Lake $96Alesund $106
Compare Hotels in Balaton Lake and Alesund
Looking for a hotel in Balaton Lake or Alesund? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Balaton Lake $12Alesund $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alesund
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alesund:
- Private Transfer from Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund Port: $36
- Private Transfer from Alesund Cruise Port to Alesund City Hotels: $36
- Private Transfer from Alesund Port to Alesund Vigra Airport (AES): $36
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Alesund Cruise Port: $36
- Private Transfer from Molde Port to Alesund Vigra Airport (AES): $37
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Molde Cruise Port: $58
- Alesund to Alesund Vigra Airport (AES)-Departure Private Transfer: $59
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Olden Cruise Port: $60
- Private Transfer from Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Olden Port: $64
- Private Transfer To and From Airport in Ålesund: $71
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Andalsnes Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Andalsnes Port: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Balaton Lake or Alesund?
Prices for flights to both Alesund and Balaton Lake change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBalaton Lake $27Alesund $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Balaton Lake $20Alesund $16
Tours and Activities in Alesund
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alesund are as follows:
- Ålesund Two Hour Walking City Tour: $42
- 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Audio-Guided Tour in Alesund : $42
- City Sightseeing Alesund Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $45
- Varden Molde Panorama Hike Tour: $46
- Hellesylt Sightseeing Boat Geirangerfjord: $55
- Molde and Atlantic Ocean Road Audio Tour: $64
- Ålesund Sightseeing and Viking Saga Islands: $102
- 3 Hour Guided Food Walk Tour in Alesund, Norway: $111
- Fjord Paddle in Hellesylt - Half Day Kayaking Tour: $121
- Alesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour: $125
- Sightseeing Tour in Trollstigen - Land of Trolls: $140
- E-bike And Hiking Tour In Ålesund: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBalaton Lake $8.73Alesund $12
When comparing the travel costs between Balaton Lake and Alesund, we can see that Alesund is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Balaton Lake Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Balaton Lake or Alesund?
Alesund has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Balaton Lake and Alesund, 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 Balaton Lake or Alesund?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Alesund in the Summer?
Both Alesund and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Alesund because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Balaton Lake is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Balaton Lake in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In July, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Alesund. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBalaton Lake 22°C (71°F)Alesund 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Alesund in the Autumn?
Both Alesund and Balaton Lake during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.
In October, Balaton Lake is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 13°C (56°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBalaton Lake 13°C (56°F)Alesund 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Alesund in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Alesund. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Alesund. It's quite cold in Balaton Lake in the winter. Balaton Lake is much colder than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 0°C (32°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Alesund receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Alesund. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBalaton Lake 0°C (32°F)Alesund 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Alesund in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Alesund. Also, many visitors come to Alesund in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Alesund can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Balaton Lake is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Balaton Lake in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).
Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBalaton Lake 12°C (54°F)Alesund 5°C (40°F)
Typical Weather for Alesund and Balaton Lake
| Balaton Lake | Alesund | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.