Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Dresden?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dresden or Balaton Lake?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dresden 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: Dresden or Balaton Lake?
Dresden
As towering baroque architecture and verdant woodlands surround your vision, this cityscape works almost as a time capsule of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, untouched by the burdens of modernity. With a melange of cultures and histories, Dresden, Germany stands before you. The capital of the eastern German state of Saxony, Dresden is globally known for its celebrated art museums and classic architecture of its reconstructed Old Town. From the baroque church Frauenkirche to the Versailles-inspired Zwinger palace, the aesthetic value of this Germany city is simply immeasurable. Located on the gorgeous Elbe River, Dresden receives about ten million tourists a year, most of them from Germany. Nevertheless, despite the traditional German culture its most historic buildings exude, Dresden is still touched by the present-day generation with its abundance of restaurants, clubs, shops, and theaters. Whether you wish to gaze at the Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" or simply go for a quick shopping run, Dresden obliges its guests most satisfactorily.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, 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 dayDresden €135Balaton Lake €80
The average daily cost (per person) in Dresden is €135, 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 Dresden and Balaton Lake in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDresden €61Balaton Lake €45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDresden €122Balaton Lake €90
Compare Hotels in Dresden and Balaton Lake
Looking for a hotel in Dresden 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: Dresden Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dresden €11Balaton Lake €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dresden
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dresden:
- Airport transfer from/to DRESDEN (DRS) - Business Van: $77
- Private Transfer from Dresden City to Leipzig City: $83
- Airport transfer from/to DRESDEN (DRS) - First Class: $136
- One-Way Transfer from Dresden Airport (DRS) to Dresden: $146
- Private Transfer from Dresden to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $158
Is it cheaper to fly into Dresden or Balaton Lake?
Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Dresden 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 dayDresden €31Balaton Lake €25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dresden
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dresden.
- Evening River Cruise with Dinner: $51
- Winterlights Evening River Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Dinner-Show "INDUSTRIELLE REVOLUTION": $117
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dresden €9.56Balaton Lake €19
Tours and Activities in Dresden
Here are a few actual costs in Dresden for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Secrets of Old The Lost Treasure Adventure: $4.27
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
- River Elbe Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Old Town Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.42
- Dresden‘s Rise from Ruin: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Dresden‘s Rise from Ruin: A Self-Guided Audio Tour : $7.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.45
- Tour of VW's Transparent Factory: $9.62
- The Green Factory Tour VW Transparent Factory: $9.62
- Special Tour for Children & Families VW Factory: $9.62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDresden €16Balaton Lake €8.18
Sample the Local Flavors in Dresden
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dresden:
- Dresden Bike Tour with Wine Tasting: $53
- Radeberger Brewery Tour in German: $57
- Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dresden and Balaton Lake, we can see that Dresden 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 Dresden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dresden 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 Dresden Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dresden or Balaton Lake?
Dresden has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Dresden 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 Dresden 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 Dresden or Balaton Lake in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Balaton Lake. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.
Dresden is cooler than Balaton Lake in the summer. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
In July, Dresden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Balaton Lake. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JulyDresden 20°C (68°F)Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Dresden or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Balaton Lake. Many travelers come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Dresden is cooler than Balaton Lake. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dresden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Dresden usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 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 OctoberDresden 11°C (51°F)Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Dresden or Balaton Lake in the Winter?
Both Balaton Lake and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Dresden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Balaton Lake can be very cold during winter. Dresden can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Dresden is generally much warmer than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 1°C (33°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).
In January, Dresden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Balaton Lake. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 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 JanuaryDresden 1°C (33°F)Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Dresden or Balaton Lake in the Spring?
Both Balaton Lake and Dresden during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Dresden for the activities around the city during these months.
Dresden is cooler than Balaton Lake in the spring. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Dresden usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Balaton Lake. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 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 AprilDresden 10°C (50°F)Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Dresden
| Dresden | Balaton Lake | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
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.