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

Should you visit Balaton Lake or Tromso?

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 Tromso can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Tromso?

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.

Tromso

The city of Tromso, in northern Norway, is named after the island of Tromsoya, on which it stands. Tromso is located 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in Northern Norway. From September to March many people come to Tromso to see the northern lights. From 20 May to 20 July the midnight sun makes it possible to do as the locals and participate in various activities around the clock. In general, Tromso has a mild climate for such a northerly destination because of its seaside location and the warming effect of the Gulf stream. The area has a modern mix of outdoor activities, a vibrant nightlife, and places to eat local food.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Norway, and The Best Adventure Tours to Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Balaton Lake and Tromso, we can see that Tromso 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 Tromso would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tromso 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 Tromso Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Balaton Lake or Tromso?

Tromso has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Balaton Lake and Tromso, 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 Tromso?

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 Tromso in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Tromso. Additionally, many visitors come to Tromso in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Balaton Lake is much warmer than Tromso in the summer. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Tromso fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tromso. 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 Tromso. Balaton Lake gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 205 hours of full sun.

Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in July than Tromso. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Tromso in the Autumn?

Both Tromso and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Tromso for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Tromso can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Balaton Lake is much warmer than Tromso. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Balaton Lake in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Tromso averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during autumn. Balaton Lake gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 49 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tromso. In October, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Tromso. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Tromso in the Winter?

Both Tromso and Balaton Lake during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Tromso because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Tromso can be very cold. Balaton Lake can be very cold during winter. In January, Balaton Lake is generally much warmer than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 0°C (32°F), and Tromso fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Balaton Lake gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 3 hours of full sun.

Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in January than Tromso. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Balaton Lake or Tromso in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Tromso. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tromso this time of year.

It's quite cold in Tromso in the spring. Balaton Lake is much warmer than Tromso in the spring. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Tromso fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during spring. Balaton Lake gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Balaton Lake usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tromso. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tromso and Balaton Lake