A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar vs. Balaton Lake for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 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 Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 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: Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Balaton Lake?

Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Located in northeast Romania, Cluj-Napoca is the capital of the Transylvania region and one of the nation's most-visited cities. Many visitors come to experience the modern Transylvanian university culture, admire historic churches and other landmarks, see fortress ruins, and visit museums.

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 Romania, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Romania, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar is $85, 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 Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Balaton Lake in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $50
    Balaton Lake $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $100
    Balaton Lake $96
Compare Hotels in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Balaton Lake

Looking for a hotel in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 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 Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar


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: Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $14
    Balaton Lake $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar:

  • Private Transfer Cluj Napoca Airport: $28

Is it cheaper to fly into Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Balaton Lake?

Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 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
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $25
    Balaton Lake $27

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $8.00
    Balaton Lake $20

Tours and Activities in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Here are a few actual costs in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cluj-Napoca: 2.5-Hour Guided Walking Tour: $26
  • Cluj : Private Walking Tour with Guide ( Private Tour ): $33
  • Cluj-Napoca Walking City Tour: $39
  • Local Tour of Cluj by Electric Bike: $50
  • Cluj walking city tour: $58
  • Private Climbing OR Hiking Experience in Cheile Turzii: $77
  • Curly Tour - Day trip from Cluj :): $88
  • Night Tour in Hoia Baciu Forest: $94
  • CLUJ ADVENTURE TOUR ! ZIP LINE and HIKE: $99
  • Snowshoeing Fun Tour from Cluj Napoca: $99
  • Transylvania: Dracula's Castle and Birthplace Tour: $120
  • Private Full Day Green Tour: $121

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $6.83
    Balaton Lake $8.76

Sample the Local Flavors in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar:

  • Pub Crawl in Cluj: $23


When comparing the travel costs between Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Balaton Lake, we can see that Balaton Lake is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Balaton Lake?

Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 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.