Which place is cheaper, Plitvice Lakes National Park or Balaton Lake?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Balaton Lake or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
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 Plitvice Lakes National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
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.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
One of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe, Plitvice Lakes National Park is an area of green forests laced with a system of interconnected turquoise lakes. It was set aside as a national park in 1949, and was later designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, The Best 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBalaton Lake $86Plitvice Lakes National Park $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Balaton Lake is $86, while the average daily cost in Plitvice Lakes National Park is $133. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBalaton Lake $48Plitvice Lakes National Park $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBalaton Lake $96Plitvice Lakes National Park $128
Compare Hotels in Balaton Lake and Plitvice Lakes National Park
Looking for a hotel in Balaton Lake or Plitvice Lakes National Park? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Balaton Lake $12Plitvice Lakes National Park $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Also for Plitvice Lakes National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Zadar: Round-Trip Transfer to Plitvice Lakes: $42
- From Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb private one-way transfer: $150
- Plitvice lakes Guiding with Transfer: $182
- Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zagreb Airport (ZAG): $232
- Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $271
Is it cheaper to fly into Balaton Lake or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Prices for flights to both Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 $27Plitvice Lakes National Park $43
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Balaton Lake $20Plitvice Lakes National Park $36
Tours and Activities in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Plitvice Lakes National Park.
- Plitvice Lakes: National Park Official Entry Ticket: $11
- Plitvice Lakes National Park Admission Ticket: $14
- Half day tour around Plitvice Lakes: $29
- Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $36
- Plitvice Lakes: Guided Walking Tour and Boat Ride: $36
- Plitvice lakes: Guided walking tour with a boat ride: $37
- Private Guided Fairy Tale Tour in Ogulin: $38
- Plitvice Guided Tour- Tickets only RESERVED: $44
- From Split and Trogir: Plitvice Lakes Economy Group Tour: $48
- Abandoned military airbase Zeljava -2h guided tour: $55
- From Split: Plitvice Lakes Guided tour: $70
- Plitvice Lakes National Park - Inspiration Buggy Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBalaton Lake $8.73Plitvice Lakes National Park $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Balaton Lake and Plitvice Lakes National Park, we can see that Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Balaton Lake or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of year.
In the summer, Balaton Lake is around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Balaton Lake in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Plitvice Lakes National Park. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park. Balaton Lake gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun.
Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in July than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBalaton Lake 22°C (71°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?
Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Balaton Lake is generally around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 13°C (56°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during autumn. Balaton Lake gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBalaton Lake 13°C (56°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?
Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Balaton Lake during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the winter for the cuisine.
Plitvice Lakes National Park can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Balaton Lake. Balaton Lake is much colder than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 0°C (32°F) in January, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).
In the winter, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Balaton Lake gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 hours of full sun.
Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in January than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBalaton Lake 0°C (32°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Furthermore, most visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Balaton Lake is around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Balaton Lake in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during spring. Balaton Lake gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBalaton Lake 12°C (54°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Balaton Lake
| Balaton Lake | Plitvice Lakes National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.