Which place is cheaper, Podgorica or Balaton Lake?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Balaton Lake or Podgorica?
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 Podgorica can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Podgorica?
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.
Podgorica
Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBalaton Lake $86Podgorica $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Balaton Lake is $86, while the average daily cost in Podgorica is $114. 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 Podgorica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBalaton Lake $48Podgorica $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBalaton Lake $96Podgorica $100
Compare Hotels in Balaton Lake and Podgorica
Looking for a hotel in Balaton Lake or Podgorica? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Podgorica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Balaton Lake $12Podgorica $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:
- Transfer Podgorica city center- Podgorica Airport: $22
- Private transfer from Podgorica airport to Podgorica city: $26
- Private Transfer: Podgorica Airport TGD to Podgorica in Sedan Car: $34
- Private Transfer to Budva: $38
- Private Transfer: Podgorica to TGD Airport in Business Car: $40
- Private Transfer From Podgorica Airport TGD To Kotor Cruise Port: $47
- Private Transfer from Podgorica hotels to Kotor Cruise Port: $47
- Private transfer to Kotor: $53
- Private transfer to Tivat: $53
- From One-Way Private Transfer to/from Virpazar: $56
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Petrovac : $58
- Private Airport Transfer from Podgorica airport to Budva: $67
Is it cheaper to fly into Balaton Lake or Podgorica?
Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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 $27Podgorica $44
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Podgorica
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Podgorica.
- Hard Rock Cafe Podgorica with Set Lunch or Dinner: $17
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Balaton Lake $20Podgorica $22
Tours and Activities in Podgorica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:
- Skip The Line: National Park Skadar Lake - Tickets: $8.15
- Skadar lake - Falcon kayak tour: $13
- Two Hours Sightseeing Lake Cruise at Montenegro National Park: $13
- Lake Skadar: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $16
- Lake Skadar Grmozur Fortress and Monastery Cruise: $16
- Podgorica City Walking Tour: $22
- Lake Skadar: Guided Panoramic Boat Tour to Kom Monastery : $22
- Lake Skadar: Early-morning Birdwatching and Photography Tour: $27
- From Virpazar: Guided Lake Skadar cruise and Crnojevića River: $33
- Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
- Private Podgorica City Walking Tour: $38
- Skadar Lake Cruise with Onboard Lunch: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBalaton Lake $8.73Podgorica $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:
- Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $92
- Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $105
- Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $119
- Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $128
- Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Balaton Lake and Podgorica, we can see that Podgorica 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 Podgorica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Podgorica 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 Podgorica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Balaton Lake or Podgorica?
Podgorica has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Balaton Lake and Podgorica, 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 Podgorica?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Podgorica in the Summer?
Both Podgorica and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Balaton Lake is cooler than Podgorica. Typically, the summer temperatures in Balaton Lake in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Podgorica averages at about 26°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Podgorica. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Balaton Lake. Balaton Lake usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during summer. Balaton Lake gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Balaton Lake usually receives more rain than Podgorica. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBalaton Lake 22°C (71°F)Podgorica 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Podgorica in the Autumn?
Both Podgorica and Balaton Lake during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Balaton Lake is generally cooler than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 13°C (56°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In Podgorica, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Balaton Lake often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Balaton Lake gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun.
Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in October than Podgorica. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBalaton Lake 13°C (56°F)Podgorica 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Podgorica in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Podgorica.
Balaton Lake can get quite cold in the winter. Balaton Lake is much colder than Podgorica in the winter. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 0°C (32°F) in January, and Podgorica fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Balaton Lake usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during winter. Balaton Lake gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.
Podgorica receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBalaton Lake 0°C (32°F)Podgorica 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Podgorica in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Podgorica.
In the spring, Balaton Lake is cooler than Podgorica. Typically, the spring temperatures in Balaton Lake in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Podgorica averages at about 14°C (58°F).
In the spring, Balaton Lake often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Podgorica. Balaton Lake gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 194 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Podgorica. Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in April than Podgorica. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBalaton Lake 12°C (54°F)Podgorica 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Podgorica and Balaton Lake
| Balaton Lake | Podgorica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 217 mm (8.5 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.