Should you visit Balaton Lake or Bratislava?
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.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Bratislava or Balaton Lake?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Balaton Lake is $81, while the average daily cost in Bratislava is $111. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Balaton Lake and Bratislava in more detail.
Accommodation
Balaton Lake's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $90. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $45.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $45. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Bratislava the cost is $90 on average.
Food
The price of a meal in Balaton Lake can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $26 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $10 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
The price of a meal in Bratislava can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $41 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $16 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Balaton Lake $26
Bratislava $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bratislava
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bratislava.
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Bratislava Traditional Food Tour:
$102
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Traditional Food Tour:
$118
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Vegan Bratislava Food Tour:
$118
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Local Beer & Food Tour:
$128
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $11 per day to get around in Balaton Lake.
The cost of a taxi ride in Bratislava is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $24 per person, per day, on local transportation in Bratislava.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bratislava
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:
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Private Airport Transfer: Bratislava Airport (BTS) to Bratislava:
$18
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Private Airport Transfer: from Bratislava to Bratislava Airport (BTS):
$18
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Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Business Car:
$19
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Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Bratislava Airport by Business Car:
$19
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Private arrival OR departure transfer in Bratislava (hotel OR airport pick-up):
$22
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Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Luxury Van:
$25
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Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Luxury Car:
$37
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Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Bratislava Airport by Luxury Car:
$37
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Deluxe Private Transfer from Bratislava City to Vienna City:
$50
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Private Transfer Bratislava Airport BTS to Vienna Airport or City - Business Car:
$52
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Private Transfer Bratislava Airport BTS or City to Vienna VIE or City Luxury Van:
$67
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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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $19 per person, per day in Balaton Lake. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Entertainment and activities in Bratislava typically cost an average of $28 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Bratislava
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bratislava are as follows:
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Bratislava Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$11
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Bratislava Nightlife Ticket:
$14
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Old Town Tour in Bratislava by Prešporáčik Oldtimer:
$15
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Bratislava Classical Walking Tour:
$21
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Bratislava City Private Walking Tour:
$22
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Best customized walking tour with bonus:
$25
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2 Hour Sightseeing Tour of Bratislava:
$32
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Bratislava Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$41
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Taxi City Tour Bratislava:
$50
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Bratislava by Night Tour:
$50
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From Vienna: 6-Hour Bratislava Sightseeing Tour:
$57
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Private Bratislava Grand City Tour:
$75
Alcohol
The average person spends about $8.25 on alcoholic beverages in Balaton Lake per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $17 on alcoholic beverages in Bratislava per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Bratislava
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:
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Burlesque show:
$37
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3 Hours Bratislava Pub Crawl Walking Tour with Beers & Bites:
$55
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Bratislava Wine Tour:
$75
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Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting:
$93
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Bratislava Food and Wine Tour:
$100
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Bratislava Half Day Hubert Sparkling Wine Tasting:
$115
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Private Wine Tour to Small Carpathians:
$156
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Devin Castle Tour With Currant Wine Tasting:
$163
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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.
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