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

Should you visit Balaton Lake or Gjovik?

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

Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Gjovik?

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.

Gjovik

Gjovik is a small town that is one of the five towns that are found around Norway's largest lake, Lake Mjosa. The other towns include Hamar, Lillehammer, Brumunddal and Moelv. The town's population is small, with only 28,807 residents. The town administration also includes the suburban area of Hunndalen and the rural districts of Biri, Snertingdal, and Vardal. Gjovik's early industry was originally centered around glassworks, dating back to the early 1800s. The city continued to grow through immigration throughout the 1800s until it was given a town charter in 1864. The town's economy today is more centered around regional trade and agriculture as well as education. There is a university in town, Gjovik University College, which focuses on information security, the medical industry, and engineering. Gjovik is also the last stop to the north on the Gjovikbanen railway line.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Balaton Lake and Gjovik, we can see that Balaton Lake is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Gjovik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Balaton Lake or Gjovik?

Gjovik has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Balaton Lake and Gjovik, 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 Gjovik?

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 Gjovik in the Summer?

Both Gjovik and Balaton Lake during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Gjovik this time of year.

Balaton Lake is a little warmer than Gjovik in the summer. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Gjovik fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Gjovik, 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 Gjovik. Balaton Lake gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gjovik receives 246 hours of full sun.

Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in July than Gjovik. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Gjovik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Gjovik. Furthermore, many travelers come to Gjovik for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Balaton Lake is much warmer than Gjovik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Balaton Lake in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Gjovik averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Gjovik during autumn. Balaton Lake gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Gjovik receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Gjovik. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Gjovik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Gjovik. Additionally, many visitors come to Gjovik in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Gjovik can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Balaton Lake. In January, Balaton Lake is generally much warmer than Gjovik. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 0°C (32°F), and Gjovik fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Gjovik. Balaton Lake gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gjovik receives 40 hours of full sun.

Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in January than Gjovik. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Gjovik in the Spring?

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

Balaton Lake is much warmer than Gjovik in the spring. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Gjovik fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Balaton Lake usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gjovik during spring. Balaton Lake gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Gjovik receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Balaton Lake usually receives more rain than Gjovik. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Gjovik and Balaton Lake