A Travel Price Comparison for Hungary Debrecen vs. Balaton Lake for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Debrecen or Balaton Lake?

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

Should I visit Debrecen 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: Debrecen or Balaton Lake?

Debrecen

Finding its beginning as a collection of agricultural villages, Debrecen has grown to become the second largest city in Hungary as well as the regional center for the Northern Great Plain region. Highlights include the Reformed Great Church of Debrecen, Hortobagy National Park, Deri Museum, and the Debrecen Zoo and Botanical Garden.

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 Tours for Seniors to Hungary, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Debrecen?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Debrecen is $67, 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 Debrecen and Balaton Lake in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Debrecen $33
    Balaton Lake $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Debrecen $66
    Balaton Lake $96
Compare Hotels in Debrecen and Balaton Lake

Looking for a hotel in Debrecen 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 Debrecen


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: Debrecen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Debrecen $11
    Balaton Lake $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Debrecen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Debrecen:

  • Debrecen - Budapest Transfer: $170

Is it cheaper to fly into Debrecen or Balaton Lake?

Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Debrecen 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
    Debrecen $24
    Balaton Lake $27

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Debrecen $17
    Balaton Lake $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Debrecen $9.27
    Balaton Lake $8.76


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Debrecen and Balaton Lake, we can see that Balaton Lake is more expensive. And not only is Debrecen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Debrecen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Debrecen 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 Debrecen.

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


Which is Bigger, Debrecen or Balaton Lake?

Debrecen has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Debrecen 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 Debrecen 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 Debrecen or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

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

Debrecen is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake in the summer. The daily temperature in Debrecen averages around 20°C (68°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 Debrecen. Debrecen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake during summer. Debrecen gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Debrecen usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Debrecen gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Debrecen 20°C (68°F) 
    Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Debrecen or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Debrecen is cooler than Balaton Lake. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Debrecen in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Debrecen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Debrecen gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.

Debrecen usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Balaton Lake. Debrecen 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
    Debrecen 11°C (52°F) 
    Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Debrecen or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

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

Balaton Lake can be very cold during winter. Debrecen can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Debrecen is generally much colder than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Debrecen average around -2°C (28°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

Debrecen usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Debrecen gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Debrecen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Balaton Lake. Debrecen gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Debrecen -2°C (28°F) 
    Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Debrecen or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

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

Debrecen is cooler than Balaton Lake in the spring. The daily temperature in Debrecen averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Debrecen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Debrecen gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.

Debrecen usually gets less rain in April than Balaton Lake. Debrecen gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Debrecen 11°C (52°F) 
    Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Debrecen

Debrecen Balaton Lake
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (28°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 0°C (32°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 50 mm (2 in) 22°C (71°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Nov 4°C (39°F) 50 mm (2 in) 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 2°C (36°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)