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

Should you visit Balaton Lake or Cesky Krumlov?

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 Cesky Krumlov can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Cesky Krumlov?

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.

Cesky Krumlov

Cesky Krumlov is a beautiful town located in Southern Bohemia in the Czech Republic. It sits along the Vltava River and is home to just over 13,000 residents. The town has many Baroque buildings as well as many pleasant cafes, restaurants and bars. It also has the second largest castle in the Czech Republic, and a beautiful old town square. The town remains very similar to how it was in the 18th century. Many of the buildings are well maintained, and many have been restored to their original beauty. The city is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, and has become a very popular tourist destination. During the summer months tourists may outnumber the local population.

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 Czech Republic, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Prague.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Balaton Lake and Cesky Krumlov, we can see that Balaton Lake is more expensive. And not only is Cesky Krumlov much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cesky Krumlov would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cesky Krumlov 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 Balaton Lake would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Balaton Lake than you might in Cesky Krumlov.

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 Cesky Krumlov Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Balaton Lake or Cesky Krumlov?

Cesky Krumlov has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Balaton Lake and Cesky Krumlov, 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 Cesky Krumlov?

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 Cesky Krumlov in the Summer?

Both Cesky Krumlov and Balaton Lake during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Balaton Lake is a little warmer than Cesky Krumlov. Typically, the summer temperatures in Balaton Lake in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Cesky Krumlov averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Cesky Krumlov, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Balaton Lake. In the summer, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Cesky Krumlov. Balaton Lake gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cesky Krumlov receives 227 hours of full sun.

Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in July than Cesky Krumlov. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cesky Krumlov receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Cesky Krumlov in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Cesky Krumlov.

In October, Balaton Lake is generally a little warmer than Cesky Krumlov. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 13°C (56°F), and Cesky Krumlov fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Cesky Krumlov during autumn. Balaton Lake gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Cesky Krumlov receives 108 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Cesky Krumlov. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cesky Krumlov receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Cesky Krumlov in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Cesky Krumlov.

Cesky Krumlov can be very cold during winter. Balaton Lake can get quite cold in the winter. Balaton Lake is much warmer than Cesky Krumlov in the winter. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 0°C (32°F) in January, and Cesky Krumlov fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Cesky Krumlov. Balaton Lake gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cesky Krumlov receives 44 hours of full sun.

Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in January than Cesky Krumlov. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cesky Krumlov receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Cesky Krumlov in the Spring?

Both Cesky Krumlov and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Balaton Lake is a little warmer than Cesky Krumlov. Typically, the spring temperatures in Balaton Lake in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Cesky Krumlov averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Cesky Krumlov during spring. Balaton Lake gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Cesky Krumlov receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Balaton Lake usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cesky Krumlov. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cesky Krumlov receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cesky Krumlov and Balaton Lake