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

Should you visit Belgrade or Balaton Lake?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Belgrade and Balaton Lake can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Belgrade or Balaton Lake?

Belgrade

Belgrade is the capital city of the Republic of Serbia. Dating back to the 4th Century BC, is has seen many changes from Celtic tribes at its earliest beginnings to Roman rule, the Ottoman Empire, and Serbian independence. Relics of its past can be seen today in Belgrade's architecture and museums, while there are also a host of contemporary activities like nightlife, clubs, cafes, and concerts.

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 Budget Tours to Serbia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Belgrade?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Belgrade is $45, while the average daily cost in Balaton Lake is $86. 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 Belgrade and Balaton Lake in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Belgrade $31
    Balaton Lake $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Belgrade $62
    Balaton Lake $96
Compare Hotels in Belgrade and Balaton Lake

Looking for a hotel in Belgrade 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 Belgrade


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: Belgrade Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Belgrade $5.65
    Balaton Lake $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belgrade

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Belgrade:

  • Bus transfer between Airport and Slavija Square: $3.70
  • Belgrade to Belgrade N. Tesla Airport (BEG) - Departure Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer from Belgrade Downtown to Belgrade Airport (BEG): $37
  • Private Transfer from Belgrade Airport (BEG) to Belgrade Downtown: $37
  • Airport Transfer in Belgrade, Serbia: $39
  • Belgrade airport transfer: $47
  • Champs Limo Belgrade Serbia Private Transfers: $48
  • Belgrade Airport transfer - Business Class: $52
  • Nikola Tesla Airport Private Transfer: $53
  • Private Transfer : $66
  • Belgrade N. Tesla Airport (BEG) to Belgrade - Round-Trip Transfer: $71
  • Nikola Tesla BEG airport-private airport transfer: $76

Is it cheaper to fly into Belgrade or Balaton Lake?

Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Belgrade 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
    Belgrade $9.37
    Balaton Lake $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belgrade

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Belgrade.

  • E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $66
  • Private Walking and Food Tour in Belgrade: $72
  • E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $76
  • Folklore night in Belgrade with dinner: $169

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Belgrade $4.55
    Balaton Lake $20

Tours and Activities in Belgrade

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Self-Guided City Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.52
  • Belgrade City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.52
  • Belgrade Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.61
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
  • Yugoslavia Communist tour: $16
  • Saint Sava Temple guided tour: $16
  • Underground Tour with Glass of Wine: $16
  • Walking Tour in Belgrade: $16
  • Belgrade late morning walking tour: $21
  • Fortress Underground Tour w/Wine Along the River: $23
  • Enjoy the First and the Best E-Bike Tour in Belgrade: $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Belgrade $21
    Balaton Lake $8.76

Sample the Local Flavors in Belgrade

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belgrade:

  • Wines & Horses Wine Tasting surrounded by Horses: $49
  • Natural wine tasting with great views: $50
  • Belgrade Reserved Pub Crawl: $50
  • RePlay Pub Crawl in Belgrade: $53
  • E-Scooter CRAFT BEER and BREWERY Tour: $54
  • Belgrade Bar Crawl: $55
  • Urban Rakija Distillery Tour in Belgrade: $55
  • Pearl of North Serbia, trip to Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting: $61
  • Northern Serbia: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting in a cellar : $83
  • Private Wine Tour in Royal Region: $87
  • 3-Hour Walking Local Wine Tasting Tour: $97
  • Full-Day Tour along Danube with Three Stronghold Sightseeing and Wine Tasting: $215


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belgrade and Balaton Lake, we can see that Balaton Lake is more expensive. And not only is Belgrade much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Belgrade would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belgrade 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 Balaton Lake would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Balaton Lake than you might in Belgrade.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Belgrade Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Belgrade or Balaton Lake?

Belgrade has a larger population, and is about 620 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Belgrade 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 Belgrade 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 Belgrade or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

Both Balaton Lake and Belgrade are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Belgrade is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake in the summer. The daily temperature in Belgrade averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, 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 Belgrade. Belgrade usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake during summer. Belgrade gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Belgrade usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Belgrade gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Belgrade 23°C (73°F) 
    Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Belgrade or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

Both Balaton Lake and Belgrade during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Belgrade is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Belgrade in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Belgrade often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Belgrade gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.

Belgrade usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Balaton Lake. Belgrade gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Belgrade 14°C (57°F) 
    Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Belgrade or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Belgrade and Balaton Lake.

It's quite cold in Balaton Lake in the winter. The weather in Belgrade can be very cold. In January, Belgrade is generally much warmer than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Belgrade average around 2°C (35°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

Belgrade usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake during winter. Belgrade gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Belgrade usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Belgrade gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Belgrade 2°C (35°F) 
    Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Belgrade or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Belgrade as well as Balaton Lake.

Belgrade is a little warmer than Balaton Lake in the spring. The daily temperature in Belgrade averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Belgrade often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Belgrade gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.

Belgrade usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Balaton Lake. Belgrade gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Belgrade 14°C (56°F) 
    Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Belgrade

Belgrade Balaton Lake
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (35°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 0°C (32°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 3°C (37°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 9°C (47°F) 50 mm (2 in) 7°C (45°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 14°C (56°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 52 mm (2 in) 22°C (71°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 19°C (67°F) 51 mm (2 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 2°C (36°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)