Which place is cheaper, Split or Balaton Lake?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Balaton Lake or Split?
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 Split can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Split?
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.
Split
Spit is a historic city in Central Dalmatia with many opportunities to glimpse its fascinating past in its historic city center. Centuries ago the city grew up around a Diocletian palace that was used as refuge by the locals.
Today, as you wander around the historic center, you can see the remains of the Roman walls, temples, and squares. Despite it's appeal to tourists, Split is much more than just a tourist destination. It is larger than you might initially realize and it spreads well beyond the historic center. There is a population of about 300,000 in the larger area and it is an economic center for the region.
Split has a beautiful climate with mild winters, countless sunny days, and a generally pleasant temperature. As such, there are many opportunities to enjoy yourself outdoors, whether by participating in sports or walking around the city's quaint streets. Winters in Split are also quite mild, but there may be one snowy day, on average, every year. This rare snowfall can cause a significant disruption in the flow of traffic.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, The Best Walking Tours in Croatia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBalaton Lake $86Split $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Balaton Lake is $86, while the average daily cost in Split is $116. 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 Split in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBalaton Lake $48Split $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBalaton Lake $96Split $156
Compare Hotels in Balaton Lake and Split
Looking for a hotel in Balaton Lake or Split? 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: Split Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Balaton Lake $12Split $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Split
Also for Split, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Diocletian's Palace & Trogir Old Town with Transfer: $15
- Split Airport (SPU) to Cruise Port of Split - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Split Hotels to Cruise Port of Split: $27
- Private Transfer from Split Airport (SPU) to Cruise Port of Split: $27
- Cruise Port of Split to Split Hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Split Hotels to Cruise Port of Split - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Split Airport Taxi Transfers > Split City Area: $28
- Private Taxi Transfer from Split airport to Split City Area: $31
- Luxury private transfer: Split airport to Split: $35
- Airport Private Transfer from Split: $36
- Airport Private Transfer to Split : $37
- Private Transfer from Split Airport (SPU) to Okrug Gornji (Island Ciovo): $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Balaton Lake or Split?
Prices for flights to both Split 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 $27Split $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Split
For Split, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small Group Food Tour: $37
- Homemade Dinner under the Stars in Split: $85
- Food Tour in Split ( Small Group): $96
- Vegan Food tour of Split with local gastronomy: $101
- Walking Vegan Food Tour of Split: $103
- Dinner In Dalmatia: A Family Affair Outside Split: $108
- Split Food Tour: Discover Split One Bite At A Time: $131
- Split Cooking Class: $169
- Split Cooking Class - Afternoon Edition Shared Activity: $190
- Private Authentic Wine & Food tour from Split: $239
- Culinary Experience – Cooking Class & Walking Tour Split: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Balaton Lake $20Split $3.96
Tours and Activities in Split
For Split, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- Emanuel Vidović Gallery Entrance Ticket: $6.39
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.39
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.39
- Split Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.52
- Entry Ticket to the Cellars of Diocletian's Palace: $8.52
- Sightseeing Split's Roman Ruins: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Split's Old Town and Marjan Hill: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Split's Old Town and Marjan Hill: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Roman Ruins Sightseeing Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $9.32
- Split's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour of Serene Seas & Stones: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBalaton Lake $8.73Split $8.49
Sample the Local Flavors in Split
Also in Split, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Krka Waterfalls & Swimming & Wine tasting: $24
- From Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $26
- Tower Pub Crawl in Split: $29
- Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting tour from Split: $31
- Split/Trogir: Krka National Park Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $38
- Wine Tasting and Sunset Klis Fortress Tour from Split: $38
- Split&Sip: Educational wine tasting: $45
- Krka National Park Tour with tour Guide & Wine tasting from Split & Trogir: $46
- Krka Waterfalls and wine tasting Tour from Split or Trogir : $46
- Wine Tasting in the Diocletian's Palace: $53
- Wine Tasting in the Diocletian’s Palace: $54
- Diocletian's Palace Walking and Wine Tasting Tour: $71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Balaton Lake and Split, we can see that Split 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 Split would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Split 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 Split Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Balaton Lake or Split?
Split has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Balaton Lake and Split, 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 Split?
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 Split in the Summer?
Both Split and Balaton Lake during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Split for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Balaton Lake is generally cooler than Split. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 22°C (71°F), and Split fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
In Split, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Balaton Lake. In the summer, Balaton Lake often gets less sunshine than Split. Balaton Lake gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 345 hours of full sun.
Balaton Lake usually gets more rain in July than Split. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Split receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBalaton Lake 22°C (71°F)Split 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Split in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Split. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Split because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Balaton Lake is cooler than Split in the autumn. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Split fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Split this time of the year. Balaton Lake usually receives less sunshine than Split during autumn. Balaton Lake gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Split. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Split receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBalaton Lake 13°C (56°F)Split 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Split in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Split. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Split this time of year.
The weather in Balaton Lake can be very cold. In the winter, Balaton Lake is much colder than Split. Typically, the winter temperatures in Balaton Lake in January average around 0°C (32°F), and Split averages at about 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Balaton Lake often gets less sunshine than Split. Balaton Lake gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 128 hours of full sun.
Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in January than Split. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Split receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBalaton Lake 0°C (32°F)Split 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Split in the Spring?
Both Split and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Split for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Balaton Lake is generally cooler than Split. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 12°C (54°F), and Split fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Split. Balaton Lake usually receives less sunshine than Split during spring. Balaton Lake gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Split. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Split receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBalaton Lake 12°C (54°F)Split 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Split and Balaton Lake
| Balaton Lake | Split | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.