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

Should you visit Bern or Balaton Lake?

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

Should I visit Bern or Balaton Lake? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Bern or Balaton Lake?

Bern

The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.

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

Which is Bigger, Bern or Balaton Lake?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Bern 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 Bern 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 Bern or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

Both Balaton Lake and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

In July, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°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 Bern. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Balaton Lake. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

Both Balaton Lake and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Bern is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Balaton Lake. Many visitors come to Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Balaton Lake can be very cold during winter. Bern can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bern is much warmer than Balaton Lake. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 0°C (32°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Balaton Lake. Most visitors come to Bern for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Bern is generally cooler than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Bern