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

Should you visit Balaton Lake or Cairngorms National Park?

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 Cairngorms National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Cairngorms National Park?

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.

Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms National Park is an over 1,700 square mile park in the center of Scotland and is home to some of the most beautiful sights in the country. Voted one of the top 20 places to visit in the world by National Geographic Traveler Magazine, the park features everything from castles to wildlife tours to white water rafting. There is really no bad time to visit the park, as you will always have something to see and do here! In the winter, from late November-March, you can ski the slopes and go on snow treks. Summer, from May-September, is fantastic for walking, hiking, and canoeing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Balaton Lake and Cairngorms National Park, we can see that Cairngorms National Park 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 Cairngorms National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairngorms National Park 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 Balaton Lake Expensive? and Is Cairngorms National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Balaton Lake or Cairngorms National Park?

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 Balaton Lake or Cairngorms National Park in the Summer?

Both Cairngorms National Park and Balaton Lake during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cairngorms National Park this time of year.

Balaton Lake is much warmer than Cairngorms National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Balaton Lake. In the summer, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park. Balaton Lake gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairngorms National Park receives 147 hours of full sun.

Balaton Lake usually gets more rain in July than Cairngorms National Park. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Cairngorms National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Cairngorms National Park. Also, many travelers come to Cairngorms National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Balaton Lake is a little warmer than Cairngorms National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Balaton Lake in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Cairngorms National Park averages at about 9°C (49°F).

Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park during autumn. Balaton Lake gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Cairngorms National Park receives 84 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Cairngorms National Park. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Cairngorms National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Cairngorms National Park. Also, many visitors come to Cairngorms National Park in the winter for the cuisine.

Cairngorms National Park can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Balaton Lake. In January, Balaton Lake is generally much colder than Cairngorms National Park. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 0°C (32°F), and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park. Balaton Lake gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairngorms National Park receives 42 hours of full sun.

Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in January than Cairngorms National Park. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Cairngorms National Park in the Spring?

Both Cairngorms National Park and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Cairngorms National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

Balaton Lake is much warmer than Cairngorms National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park during spring. Balaton Lake gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Cairngorms National Park receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Balaton Lake usually receives more rain than Cairngorms National Park. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cairngorms National Park and Balaton Lake