A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dusseldorf vs. Balaton Lake for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf 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: Dusseldorf or Balaton Lake?

Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is a city in western Germany divided by the Rhine River, with its Altstadt (Old Town) on the east bank and modern commercial areas to the west. Dusseldorf is a university town and a center of art and fashion. This old electoral capital is also a city of wide streets lined by elegant shops, with a ring of parks and gardens encircling its vibrant downtown area. As an important cultural center, Dusseldorf has dozens of museums and in excess of 100 art galleries encompassing everything from internationally renowned facilities, such as the impressive Art Collection North Rhine-Westphalia, to the smaller installations found in the city's trendy Konigsallee area. In the Altstadt, St. Lambertus Church and Schlossturm (Castle Tower) both date to the 13th century. Dusseldorf impresses with boundary-pushing architecture, lively nightlife, and an art scene to rival many higher-profile cities. It's a posh and modern city that likes to have a good time with bar-hopping around the Altstadt, the historical quarter along the Rhine. These tourist attractions, along with the city's location on the Rhine and its numerous wide squares and wonderful riverside walkways, make it a particularly pleasant place to spend time.

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 Munich, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dusseldorf and Balaton Lake, we can see that Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dusseldorf or Balaton Lake?

Dusseldorf has a larger population, and is about 290 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dusseldorf and Balaton Lake. Many travelers come to Dusseldorf for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dusseldorf is generally cooler than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Dusseldorf average around 19°C (66°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Balaton Lake this time of the year. Dusseldorf usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during summer. Dusseldorf gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dusseldorf usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Dusseldorf gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dusseldorf as well as Balaton Lake. Many visitors come to Dusseldorf in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Dusseldorf is cooler than Balaton Lake in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dusseldorf averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Dusseldorf often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Dusseldorf gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.

Dusseldorf usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Dusseldorf gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

Both Balaton Lake and Dusseldorf are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dusseldorf for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Balaton Lake can be very cold. Dusseldorf can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Dusseldorf is much warmer than Balaton Lake. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dusseldorf in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 0°C (32°F).

Dusseldorf usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Dusseldorf gets 45 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dusseldorf usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Dusseldorf gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

Both Balaton Lake and Dusseldorf during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Dusseldorf because of the activities around the city.

In April, Dusseldorf is generally cooler than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Dusseldorf average around 9°C (48°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Dusseldorf often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Dusseldorf gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.

Dusseldorf usually gets less rain in April than Balaton Lake. Dusseldorf gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Dusseldorf