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

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.

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.

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 Karlovy Vary Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Balaton Lake or Karlovy Vary?

Karlovy Vary has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Balaton Lake and Karlovy Vary, 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 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 average around 22°C (71°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at 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.

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. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 13°C (56°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates 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.

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 daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 0°C (32°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates 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.

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 average around 12°C (54°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at 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.

Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Balaton Lake