Which city is cheaper, Bratislava or Balaton Lake?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Balaton Lake vs. Bratislava for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Balaton Lake or Bratislava?
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 Bratislava can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Bratislava?
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.
Bratislava
The capital and largest city of Slovakia, Bratislava is set on the shores of the Danube River near the borders of Austria and Hungary. While the city is skirted by mountains and vineyards, its 18th century old town center is crossed with cobbled walkways and surrounded by historic landmarks and architecture. One such monument is the Bratislava Castle, set atop a hill overlooking it all-the old town, the river, and the bustle of people in the charming city below.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBalaton Lake $68Bratislava $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Balaton Lake is $68, while the average daily cost in Bratislava is $104. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Balaton Lake and Bratislava in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBalaton Lake $38Bratislava $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBalaton Lake $76Bratislava $84
Compare Hotels in Balaton Lake and Bratislava
Looking for a hotel in Balaton Lake or Bratislava? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Balaton Lake Hotel Prices and Bratislava Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Balaton Lake $9.32Bratislava $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bratislava
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:
- Private Airport Transfer: Bratislava Airport (BTS) to Bratislava: $18
- Private Airport Transfer: from Bratislava to Bratislava Airport (BTS): $18
- Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Business Car: $19
- Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Bratislava Airport by Business Car: $19
- Private arrival OR departure transfer in Bratislava (hotel OR airport pick-up): $22
- Airport to Hotel Private Transfer Service: $25
- Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Luxury Van: $25
- Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Luxury Car: $37
- Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Bratislava Airport by Luxury Car: $37
- Deluxe Private Transfer from Bratislava City to Vienna City: $50
- Private Transfer Bratislava Airport BTS to Vienna Airport or City - Business Car: $52
- Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Vienna Airport VIE by Luxury Van: $67
Is it cheaper to fly into Balaton Lake or Bratislava?
Prices for flights to both Bratislava 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 $22Bratislava $39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bratislava
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bratislava.
- Bratislava Traditional Food Tour: $102
- Traditional Food Tour: $118
- Vegan Bratislava Food Tour: $118
- Local Beer & Food Tour: $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Balaton Lake $16Bratislava $26
Tours and Activities in Bratislava
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bratislava are as follows:
- Bratislava Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Old Town Cake Tasting Experience: $11
- Bratislava by Sightseeing Bus: $14
- Bratislava Nightlife Ticket: $14
- Old Town Tour in Bratislava by Prešporáčik Oldtimer: $15
- Nedbalka Gallery with Coffee and Cake Ticket: $16
- 1-Hour Small Group Walking Tour: $18
- City Sightseeing Afternoon Walking Tour: $18
- City Highlights Running Tour: $18
- Bratislava Classical Walking Tour: $21
- Bratislava City Private Walking Tour: $22
- Best customized walking tour with bonus: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBalaton Lake $6.96Bratislava $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Bratislava
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:
- Modra: Private Wine Tasting at a Family-Operated Winery: $28
- Burlesque show: $37
- 3 Hours Bratislava Pub Crawl Walking Tour with Beers & Bites: $55
- Bratislava Wine Tour: $75
- Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting: $93
- Bratislava Food and Wine Tour: $100
- Bratislava Half Day Hubert Sparkling Wine Tasting: $115
- Private Wine Tour to Small Carpathians: $156
- Devin Castle Tour With Currant Wine Tasting: $163
- Private Small Carpathian Wine Tour: $214
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Balaton Lake and Bratislava, we can see that Bratislava 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 Bratislava would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bratislava than you might in Balaton Lake.
When is the best time to visit Balaton Lake or Bratislava?
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 Bratislava in the Summer?
Both Bratislava and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bratislava because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Balaton Lake is around the same temperature as Bratislava. Typically, the summer temperatures in Balaton Lake in July are around 22°C (71°F), and Bratislava is about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Bratislava. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Balaton Lake. Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Bratislava during summer. Balaton Lake gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Bratislava receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Balaton Lake usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bratislava. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBalaton Lake 22°C (71°F)Bratislava 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Bratislava in the Autumn?
Both Bratislava and Balaton Lake during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bratislava this time of year.
In October, Balaton Lake is generally around the same temperature as Bratislava. Temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 13°C (56°F), and Bratislava stays around 12°C (54°F).
In the autumn, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Bratislava. Balaton Lake gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bratislava receives 140 hours of full sun.
Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in October than Bratislava. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBalaton Lake 13°C (56°F)Bratislava 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Bratislava in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Bratislava. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bratislava for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bratislava. It's quite cold in Balaton Lake in the winter. Balaton Lake is much colder than Bratislava in the winter. The temperature in Balaton Lake is usually 0°C (32°F) in January, and Bratislava stays around 2°C (36°F).
Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Bratislava during winter. Balaton Lake gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Bratislava receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Balaton Lake usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bratislava. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBalaton Lake 0°C (32°F)Bratislava 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Bratislava in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Bratislava. Additionally, many visitors come to Bratislava in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Balaton Lake is around the same temperature as Bratislava. Typically, the spring temperatures in Balaton Lake in April are around 12°C (54°F), and Bratislava is about 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bratislava. In the spring, Balaton Lake often gets less sunshine than Bratislava. Balaton Lake gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bratislava receives 202 hours of full sun.
Balaton Lake usually gets more rain in April than Bratislava. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBalaton Lake 12°C (54°F)Bratislava 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Bratislava and Balaton Lake
| Balaton Lake | Bratislava | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
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