Which place is cheaper, Cinque Terre or Balaton Lake?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Balaton Lake or Cinque Terre?
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 Cinque Terre can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Cinque Terre?
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.
Cinque Terre
Located on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline, Cinque Terra consists of five seaside villages exuding a charm that dates back to medieval times. Fishing boats bob in the harbors, bringing fresh seafood to the tables of the region, while age old vineyards make for fragrant signature wines. Cinque Terre is considered to be a National Park, with its five villages earning a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their beauty and timelessness.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBalaton Lake $86Cinque Terre $149
The average daily cost (per person) in Balaton Lake is $86, while the average daily cost in Cinque Terre is $149. 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 Cinque Terre in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBalaton Lake $48Cinque Terre $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBalaton Lake $96Cinque Terre $154
Compare Hotels in Balaton Lake and Cinque Terre
Looking for a hotel in Balaton Lake or Cinque Terre? 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: Cinque Terre Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Balaton Lake $12Cinque Terre $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cinque Terre
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Cinque Terre:
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Ferry Day Pass$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cinque Terre
Also for Cinque Terre, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Cinque Terre to La Spezia by car or van: $142
Is it cheaper to fly into Balaton Lake or Cinque Terre?
Prices for flights to both Cinque Terre 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 $27Cinque Terre $44
Typical Food Prices in Cinque Terre
For Cinque Terre, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Whole Pizza$10
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Panini$4.02
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$56
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Fresh Focaccia$2.27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cinque Terre
For Cinque Terre, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Riomaggiore: $195
- Cinque Terre Food Tour (half day): $273
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Balaton Lake $20Cinque Terre $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cinque Terre
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cinque Terre's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Double Kayak Rental (One Hour)$11
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Bagni Eden Beach Club Umbrella$17
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Cinque Terre Card (One Day)$5.36
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Cinque Terre Card (Three Days)$13
Tours and Activities in Cinque Terre
For Cinque Terre, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cinque Terre Pesto experience in Riomaggiore: $49
- Marine Biology & Snorkelling Experience in the Cinque Terre : $59
- Kayak experience with Carnassa Tour in Cinque Terre + Snorkeling: $73
- From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Tour by Train with Limoncino: $89
- La Spezia: Cinque Terre Guided Hiking Tour: $95
- Cinque Terre Kayak Adventure from Riomaggiore: $98
- Kayak tour from Monterosso to Vernazza: $98
- Half Day Guided Tour of the Cinque Terre from the Sea: $104
- 2-Hour Boat Tour at sunset in the Cinque Terre with Pesto tasting and focaccia: $104
- Cinque Terre Hybrid Boat Tour: $109
- The heart of the 5 Terre: Monterosso and national park ebike tour: $120
- Cinque Terre Sunset Cruise with Aperitif: $131
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBalaton Lake $8.73Cinque Terre $7.19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Cinque Terre
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Cinque Terre:
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Glass of Local Wine$3.11
Sample the Local Flavors in Cinque Terre
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cinque Terre:
- BarCa Winery Cinqueterre Tour with Wine Tasting & Pesto Class: $60
- Cinque terre wine tour and tasting with the somelier: $74
- Eco Hiking and Wine Tasting in Cinque Terre : $97
- Cinque Terre Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tastings: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Balaton Lake and Cinque Terre, we can see that Cinque Terre 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 Cinque Terre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cinque Terre 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 Cinque Terre Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Balaton Lake or Cinque Terre?
Balaton Lake has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Cinque Terre. When comparing the sizes of Balaton Lake and Cinque Terre, 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 Cinque Terre?
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 Cinque Terre in the Summer?
Both Cinque Terre and Balaton Lake during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Cinque Terre for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Balaton Lake is around the same temperature as Cinque Terre in the summer. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
In Cinque Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Balaton Lake. In the summer, Balaton Lake often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cinque Terre. Balaton Lake gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 316 hours of full sun.
Balaton Lake usually gets more rain in July than Cinque Terre. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBalaton Lake 22°C (71°F)Cinque Terre 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Cinque Terre in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Cinque Terre. Also, many visitors come to Cinque Terre in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Balaton Lake is cooler than Cinque Terre. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Balaton Lake in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Cinque Terre averages at about 17°C (63°F).
Balaton Lake usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cinque Terre during autumn. Balaton Lake gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Cinque Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBalaton Lake 13°C (56°F)Cinque Terre 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Cinque Terre in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Cinque Terre. Also, most visitors come to Cinque Terre for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Balaton Lake can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Balaton Lake is generally much colder than Cinque Terre. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 0°C (32°F), and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
In the winter, Balaton Lake often gets less sunshine than Cinque Terre. Balaton Lake gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 105 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Cinque Terre. Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in January than Cinque Terre. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBalaton Lake 0°C (32°F)Cinque Terre 8°C (46°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Cinque Terre in the Spring?
Both Cinque Terre and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Cinque Terre because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
Balaton Lake is cooler than Cinque Terre in the spring. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Balaton Lake usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cinque Terre during spring. Balaton Lake gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBalaton Lake 12°C (54°F)Cinque Terre 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Cinque Terre and Balaton Lake
| Balaton Lake | Cinque Terre | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.