Which place is cheaper, Zagreb or Balaton Lake?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Balaton Lake or Zagreb?
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 Zagreb can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Balaton Lake or Zagreb?
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.
Zagreb
Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBalaton Lake $86Zagreb $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Balaton Lake is $86, while the average daily cost in Zagreb is $82. 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 Zagreb in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBalaton Lake $48Zagreb $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBalaton Lake $96Zagreb $102
Compare Hotels in Balaton Lake and Zagreb
Looking for a hotel in Balaton Lake or Zagreb? 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: Zagreb Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Balaton Lake $12Zagreb $9.69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- Bus transfer from/to Rijeka: $6.93
- From Plitvice Lakes Round-Trip Comfort Bus Transfer: $16
- Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) to Zagreb - Arrival Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $27
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $32
- Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) to Zagreb-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
- Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb - Zagreb Airport: $40
- Zagreb Airport: One-Way Private transfer To/From Airport: $41
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $43
- Zagreb Airport(ZAG) to Moravske Toplice- Arrival Private Transfer: $43
- Private Transfer from Zagreb City to Zagreb Train or Bus Station by car or van: $46
- Private Transfer: Zagreb to Zagreb International Airport (ZAG): $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Balaton Lake or Zagreb?
Prices for flights to both Zagreb 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 $27Zagreb $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $74
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $75
- Croatian cuisine cooking class with Dolac market tour: $136
- Private Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $144
- Private Food Tour with Tastings: $173
- Wine & Food tour of Plešivica near Zagreb: $948
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Balaton Lake $20Zagreb $13
Tours and Activities in Zagreb
Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- Nikola Tesla Technical Museum Ticket: $4.26
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.33
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.39
- Skip-the-Ticket-Line Museum of Broken Relationships: $7.46
- Zagreb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket: $9.59
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Zagreb's Old Town: Walking In-App Audio Tour(ENG): $11
- Small-Group Walking Highlights Tour: $16
- City Walking Tour w/ Funicular Ride and WW2 Tunnels: $18
- Self-Guided Zagreb Tour; Sit & Meet - Meet the great Croats: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBalaton Lake $8.73Zagreb $9.49
Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb
Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Zagreb Pub Crawl: $16
- Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $32
- Zagreb Wine Tasting & Jarun Lake Tour: $75
- Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $197
- Private Wine Tasting Tour from Zagreb: $206
- Plesivica Region Wine Tasting Half-day Tour : $271
When comparing the travel costs between Balaton Lake and Zagreb, 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 Zagreb Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Balaton Lake or Zagreb?
Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 340 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Balaton Lake and Zagreb, 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 Zagreb?
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 Zagreb in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Balaton Lake and Zagreb. Furthermore, most visitors come to Zagreb for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Balaton Lake is generally around the same temperature as Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 22°C (71°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zagreb this time of the year. In Balaton Lake, it's very sunny this time of the year. Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during summer. Balaton Lake gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Balaton Lake gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBalaton Lake 22°C (71°F)Zagreb 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Zagreb in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Balaton Lake as well as Zagreb. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Balaton Lake is around the same temperature as Zagreb in the autumn. The daily temperature in Balaton Lake averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the autumn, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Balaton Lake gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun.
Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in October than Zagreb. Balaton Lake gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBalaton Lake 13°C (56°F)Zagreb 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Zagreb in the Winter?
Both Zagreb and Balaton Lake are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.
It's quite cold in Zagreb in the winter. The weather in Balaton Lake can be very cold. In the winter, Balaton Lake is much colder than Zagreb. Typically, the winter temperatures in Balaton Lake in January average around 0°C (32°F), and Zagreb averages at about 1°C (35°F).
Balaton Lake usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during winter. Balaton Lake gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Balaton Lake usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Balaton Lake gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBalaton Lake 0°C (32°F)Zagreb 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Balaton Lake or Zagreb in the Spring?
Both Zagreb and Balaton Lake during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Zagreb for the activities around the city.
In April, Balaton Lake is generally around the same temperature as Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Balaton Lake average around 12°C (54°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Balaton Lake often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Balaton Lake gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun.
Balaton Lake usually gets less rain in April than Zagreb. Balaton Lake gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBalaton Lake 12°C (54°F)Zagreb 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Zagreb and Balaton Lake
| Balaton Lake | Zagreb | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.