Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Chamonix-Mont-Blanc?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Balaton Lake?
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (usually shortened to Chamonix) is a resort area near the junction of France, Switzerland and Italy. At the base of Mont Blanc, the highest summit in the Alps, it's renowned for its skiing. Year-round, cable cars take visitors up to several nearby peaks with panoramic views, including Aiguille du Midi above town, and Pointe Helbronner, across vast glacier fields on the Italian border. Chamonix is one of the oldest ski resorts in France and is known as the "gateway to the European Cascades." With the sheer white heights of the Mont Blanc ridge as its sensational backdrop, the Chamonix Valley shows the Alps at their most dramatic. First discovered as a tourist destination by Brits William Windham and Richard Pococke in 1741, it has become a wintertime playground of epic proportions, more than satisfying the most demanding skiers as well as those who pack themselves into its boot-stomping bars. In summer, lift-accessible highland trails offer thrilling panoramas to hikers, mountain bikers and other high-altitude thrill seekers.
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 Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChamonix-Mont-Blanc €235Balaton Lake €80
The average daily cost (per person) in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is €235, 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Balaton Lake in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChamonix-Mont-Blanc €90Balaton Lake €45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChamonix-Mont-Blanc €180Balaton Lake €90
Compare Hotels in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Balaton Lake
Looking for a hotel in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chamonix-Mont-Blanc €40Balaton Lake €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Also for Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chamonix to Turin Caselle Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Courmayeur to Turin Caselle Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $87
- Chamonix (FR) to Geneva Airport (GVA)- Departure Private Transfer: $131
- Courmayeur to Milan Malpensa Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $137
- Chamonix-Morzine-Avoriaz to Geneva Airport GVA-Departure Transfer: $147
- Courmayeur, Italy to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $153
- Courmayeur Ski Club to Linate Airport (LIN) - Departure Transfer: $162
- Private Departure Transfer from Chamonix to Milan Airport: $170
- Private Transfer Chamonix and Morzine to Milan Malpensa Airport: $229
Is it cheaper to fly into Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Balaton Lake?
Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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 dayChamonix-Mont-Blanc €48Balaton Lake €25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
For Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Food Tour in Chamonix: $444
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chamonix-Mont-Blanc €80Balaton Lake €19
Tours and Activities in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
For Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- On an adventure with Rosalie - Nancy-sur-Cluses: $5.45
- Monte Bianco Skyway Experience : $144
- Fly in Paragliding! Paragliding experience over Chamonix!: $171
- Live an eBike Mountain Bike Experience in the Heart of Chamonix Mont-Blanc: $195
- Bespoke Private Chamonix Experience: $196
- Altitude experience above Chamonix by eBike: $298
- Chamonix: Private Guided Walking Tour: $307
- From Geneva: Chamonix Mont-Blanc Private Guided Tour: $416
- Geneva: Private Chamonix Mont Blanc Day Tour: $538
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChamonix-Mont-Blanc €9.64Balaton Lake €8.18
Sample the Local Flavors in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Also in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tour with private driver - 10 hours: $823
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Balaton Lake, we can see that Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Balaton Lake?
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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.
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.