Which city is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Balaton Lake for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Bucharest or Balaton Lake?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Balaton Lake. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Bucharest or Balaton Lake?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $109Balaton Lake $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $109, while the average daily cost in Balaton Lake is $64. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bucharest and Balaton Lake in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $50Balaton Lake $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $100Balaton Lake $72
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Balaton Lake
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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.
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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Balaton Lake Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $21Balaton Lake $8.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Best transfer from Bucharest Airport to City Center: $3.72
- Bucharest airport transfer: $12
- Private transfer from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Bucharest: $12
- Private Arrival Transfer from Bucharest Airport to Bucharest City: $14
- Private Departure Transfer from Bucharest City to Bucharest Airport: $14
- Bucharest - Private Airport Transfer: $15
- Bucharest Airport Transfer: $16
- Otopeni Airport Transfer to Bucharest: $16
- Private One-Way BUCHAREST-OTP Airport Transfer: $16
- Bucharest Airport Transfer by Minivan: $17
- Private Bucharest Airport Transfer: $17
- Bucharest Giurgiu Port Shared Transfer: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Balaton Lake?
Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Bucharest 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 dayBucharest $46Balaton Lake $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $80
- Cooking Class in Transylvania - Day Tour from Bucharest: $199
- Walking Food Tour in the Old Town of Bucharest: $199
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $223
- Private Dracula Castle Tour by night and Romanian traditional dinner: $331
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $11Balaton Lake $15
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bellu Outdoor Museum Exploration Game & Tour: $5.67
- Old Town Hidden Gems Exploration Game and Tour: $7.95
- Museum of Senses Bucharest Entrance Ticket: $11
- One Hour Epic Escape Room Adventure Mystery in Bucharest: $14
- Escape Room Experience: $17
- Half-day tour to the Mogoșoaia Palace by train from Bucharest: $20
- Skip the line: Bucharest Parliament Palace Ticket: $23
- Self-Guided Ruse from Bucharest Tour: $24
- Skip the Line: Palace of the Parliament - Bucharest: $25
- Guided Ceausescu Villa Tour: $25
- Jewish Tour of Bucharest: $28
- Dracula's Transylvania Virtual Private 2-Hour Live Guided Tour: $31
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $7.25Balaton Lake $6.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $23
- Wine Tasting Tour of Bucharest Old Town: $61
- Wine Tasting Tour at First Wine Bar: $61
- Private Wine Tasting at Bucharest's First Wine Bar: $65
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting – 2.5 hours: $88
- Traditions in Village Museum & Wine Tasting: $93
- Bike & Wine tour in Dealu Mare wineland: $96
- Wine tasting at the mansion, Dracula's grave from Snagov & Mogosoaia Palace: $100
- Traditions in Village Museum and Wine Tasting Tour: $100
- Romanian Wine Tasting: $106
- Romanian Wine Tasting Experience: $113
- Lacerta Crama Wine Tasting: $113
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Balaton Lake, we can see that Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest than you might in Balaton Lake.
When is the best time to visit Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Balaton Lake in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Balaton Lake. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July are around 23°C (73°F), and Balaton Lake is about 22°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Balaton Lake this time of the year. In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of rain as Balaton Lake. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBucharest 23°C (73°F)Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Balaton Lake. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Bucharest is generally around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Balaton Lake stays around 13°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Balaton Lake. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBucharest 13°C (55°F)Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Balaton Lake in the Winter?
Both Balaton Lake and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Balaton Lake can be very cold. Bucharest can be very cold during winter. Bucharest is much colder than Balaton Lake in the winter. The temperature in Bucharest is usually -1°C (29°F) in January, and Balaton Lake stays around 0°C (32°F).
Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of rain as Balaton Lake. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBucharest -1°C (29°F)Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Balaton Lake in the Spring?
Both Balaton Lake and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April are around 12°C (54°F), and Balaton Lake is about 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Balaton Lake. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBucharest 12°C (54°F)Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Bucharest
| Bucharest | Balaton Lake | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
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