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

Should you visit Graz or Balaton Lake?

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

Should I visit Graz 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: Graz or Balaton Lake?

Graz

Graz is the second largest city in Austria and the capital of Styria. The city has at least six different universities, and a large portion of the city's population is actually made up of students.

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 Christmas Market Tours in Austria, The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria, 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 Graz and Balaton Lake, we can see that Graz 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 Graz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Graz 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 Graz Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Graz or Balaton Lake?

Graz has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Graz 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 Graz or Balaton Lake?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Graz or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

Both Balaton Lake and Graz during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Graz this time of year.

In the summer, Graz is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the summer temperatures in Graz in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Balaton Lake, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Graz. In the summer, Graz often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Graz. Graz usually gets more rain in July than Balaton Lake. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Balaton Lake. Many travelers come to Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Graz is generally around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 13°C (55°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Graz usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during autumn. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Graz usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Graz or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Graz as well as Balaton Lake. Many visitors come to Graz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Balaton Lake can be very cold during winter. Graz can get quite cold in the winter. Graz is much warmer than Balaton Lake in the winter. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Graz often gets more sunshine than Balaton Lake. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in January than Balaton Lake. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

Both Balaton Lake and Graz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Graz for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Graz is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the spring temperatures in Graz in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Graz usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during spring. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Graz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Balaton Lake. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Graz