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

Should you visit Bamberg or Balaton Lake?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Bamberg or Balaton Lake, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Bamberg or Balaton Lake?

Bamberg

Amidst the rolling green hills and clear blue skies, you find yourself in a town that holds a certain magic in the air that leaves you in an intoxicated languor. Quaint, picturesque, charming - from its medieval and baroque architecture to its breathtaking gardens, the romantic flair of Bamberg, Germany is simply spell-binding. One of Europe's largest intact old town centers, Bamberg is located in northern Bavaria, established over 7 hills where the rivers of the Regnitz and Main conjoin. Preserving structures from the 11th to 19th centuries, Bamberg was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. The town is filled to the brim with arts and culture, holding the world-renowned Bamberg Symphony Orchestra as well as such festivities as the international magician and street performers' festival. A gorgeous countryside town, Bamberg also provides its guests with many metropolitan amenities such as restaurants, cafes, malls, and antique shops. Whether it be beer gardens or nature parks, Bamberg has it all!

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.

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


Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Bamberg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bamberg is €127, while the average daily cost in Balaton Lake is €80. 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 Bamberg and Balaton Lake in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bamberg 75
    Balaton Lake 45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bamberg 150
    Balaton Lake 90
Compare Hotels in Bamberg and Balaton Lake

Looking for a hotel in Bamberg or Balaton Lake? 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.

Hotels in Bamberg


Hotels in Balaton Lake


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: Bamberg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bamberg 14
    Balaton Lake 11

Is it cheaper to fly into Bamberg or Balaton Lake?

Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Bamberg 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bamberg 41
    Balaton Lake 25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bamberg 17
    Balaton Lake 19

Tours and Activities in Bamberg

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bamberg are as follows:

  • Historical Museum Entry Ticket: $8.56
  • Bayreuth Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • City Highlights Walking Tour: $13
  • Guided tour - World Heritage Fascination: $14
  • Guided Walking Tour: $14
  • Altenburg Burg Tour: $14
  • Guided Beer History Tour with Optional Tasting: $16
  • Guided Tour of the Gardeners' District: $17
  • 1-Hour Theatrical Humor Tour with Costumed Guide: $19
  • Immersive Medieval Tour: $19
  • Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $21
  • Guided Historical Culinary Tour: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bamberg 19
    Balaton Lake 8.18

Sample the Local Flavors in Bamberg

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bamberg:

  • Historical City Tour in German with Brewery Visit: $17
  • Beer & Brewery Tour - 2 Hour: $37


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


Which is Bigger, Bamberg or Balaton Lake?

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

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 Bamberg or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

Both Balaton Lake and Bamberg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bamberg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Bamberg is generally cooler than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Bamberg average around 19°C (67°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Balaton Lake. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bamberg. Bamberg usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during summer. Bamberg gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bamberg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Balaton Lake. Bamberg gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bamberg 19°C (67°F) 
    Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Bamberg or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

Both Balaton Lake and Bamberg during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Bamberg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Bamberg is cooler than Balaton Lake in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bamberg averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Bamberg often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Bamberg gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.

Bamberg usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Bamberg gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bamberg 11°C (51°F) 
    Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Bamberg or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bamberg and Balaton Lake. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bamberg this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Balaton Lake. It's quite cold in Bamberg in the winter. In the winter, Bamberg is much warmer than Balaton Lake. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bamberg in January average around 0°C (33°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 0°C (32°F).

Bamberg usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Bamberg gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bamberg usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Bamberg gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bamberg 0°C (33°F) 
    Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Bamberg or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bamberg as well as Balaton Lake. Many travelers come to Bamberg for the natural beauty.

In April, Bamberg is generally cooler than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Bamberg average around 10°C (50°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Bamberg often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Bamberg gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.

Bamberg usually gets less rain in April than Balaton Lake. Bamberg gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bamberg 10°C (50°F) 
    Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Bamberg

Bamberg Balaton Lake
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (33°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 0°C (32°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 7°C (45°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 20°C (68°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 22°C (71°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 13°C (56°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 50 mm (2 in) 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 2°C (35°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 2°C (36°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)