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

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Should you visit Balaton Lake or Karlovy Vary?

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 Karlovy Vary can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Karlovy Vary?

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.

Karlovy Vary

Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.

Which city is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Balaton Lake?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Balaton Lake is $70, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is $70. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Balaton Lake and Karlovy Vary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Balaton Lake $39
    Karlovy Vary $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Balaton Lake $78
    Karlovy Vary $68
Compare Hotels in Balaton Lake and Karlovy Vary

Looking for a hotel in Balaton Lake or Karlovy Vary? 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.

Hotels in Balaton Lake


Hotels in Karlovy Vary


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: Balaton Lake Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Balaton Lake $9.61
    Karlovy Vary $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary

Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Karlovy Vary International Airport to Karlovy Vary City - One Way: $37
  • Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $124
  • Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private sightseeing daytrip with 1 Stop: $146
  • Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: $199
  • Private one way transfer from Karlovy Vary to Český Krumlov: $418

Is it cheaper to fly into Balaton Lake or Karlovy Vary?

Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Balaton Lake $22
    Karlovy Vary $23

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Balaton Lake $17
    Karlovy Vary $10

Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.

  • Becherovka, Lemond, KV14, Cordial Ticket: $8.09
  • Karlovy Vary and Moser Factory Full day Tour from Prague: $107
  • Karlovy Vary plus Loket castle tour: $122
  • Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour: $168
  • Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $187
  • Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $187
  • A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $249

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Balaton Lake $7.18
    Karlovy Vary $5.69

Sample the Local Flavors in Karlovy Vary

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Karlovy Vary:

  • Karlovy Vary and Krusovice Brewery Private Day Trip from Prague: $145
  • Karlovy Vary & Krusovice Brewery Private Day Trip from Prague for up to 8 people: $304

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Balaton Lake and Karlovy Vary, 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.


When is the best time to visit Balaton Lake or Karlovy Vary?

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 Karlovy Vary in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Karlovy Vary.

In the summer, Balaton Lake is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Balaton Lake in July are around 22°C (71°F), and Karlovy Vary is about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karlovy Vary. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Balaton Lake this time of the year. In the summer, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Balaton Lake gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.

Balaton Lake usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Karlovy Vary. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?

Both Karlovy Vary and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In October, Balaton Lake is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 13°C (56°F), and Karlovy Vary stays around 11°C (51°F).

Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Balaton Lake gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?

Both Karlovy Vary and Balaton Lake during the winter are popular places to visit.

Karlovy Vary can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Balaton Lake. Balaton Lake is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The temperature in Balaton Lake is usually 0°C (32°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary stays around 1°C (33°F).

In the winter, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Balaton Lake gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.

Balaton Lake usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Karlovy Vary. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Karlovy Vary.

In the spring, Balaton Lake is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Balaton Lake in April are around 12°C (54°F), and Karlovy Vary is about 10°C (50°F).

Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Balaton Lake gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Balaton Lake usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Balaton Lake

Balaton Lake Karlovy Vary
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (32°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 1°C (33°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 7°C (45°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 15°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 22°C (71°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 6°C (43°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Dec 2°C (36°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 2°C (35°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)


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Balaton Lake vs. Karlovy Vary Travel Comparison

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