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

Should you visit Balaton Lake or Flam?

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 Flam can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Flam?

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.

Flam

Flam is a village in Norway. The fjord village of Flam is located on the scenic inner Aurlandsfjord branch of the world's deepest and second-longest fjord, Sognefjord. Flam is surrounded by steep mountains, thundering waterfalls and narrow valleys, and during the spring and summer months you will see large cruise ships gliding in through the narrow fjord with their course set for Flam Harbor. The main attraction here is the stunning mountain railway that creeps up into the surrounding peaks and offers truly eye-popping panoramas. Unfortunately, it's far from a well-kept secret, and on the busiest summer days the tiny village can find itself swamped by several thousand visitors – it's probably best left for the quieter seasons of spring and autumn. The popular 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour also stops here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Balaton Lake or Flam?

Balaton Lake has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Balaton Lake and Flam, 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 Flam?

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 Flam in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Flam. Additionally, most visitors come to Flam for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Balaton Lake is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Balaton Lake in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Flam averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in July than Flam. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Flam in the Autumn?

Both Flam and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Flam because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Balaton Lake is generally a little warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 13°C (56°F), and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In October, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Flam. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Flam in the Winter?

Both Flam and Balaton Lake during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

It's quite cold in Flam in the winter. The weather in Balaton Lake can be very cold. Balaton Lake is much colder than Flam in the winter. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 0°C (32°F) in January, and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in January than Flam. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Flam in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Flam. Also, many travelers come to Flam for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Balaton Lake is much warmer than Flam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Balaton Lake in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Flam averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Flam. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Flam and Balaton Lake