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

Should you visit Grindelwald or Balaton Lake?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Grindelwald and Balaton Lake can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Grindelwald or Balaton Lake?

Grindelwald

Grindelwald, Switzerland is a glacier village located in the picturesque Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps. The Jungfrau Region encompasses many small villages and was chosen as the first Alpine UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. This Alpine paradise has been a popular destination since the 17th century, due to its natural beauty and fantastic hiking and skiing trails.

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 10-Day Tours in Switzerland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, 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 Grindelwald and Balaton Lake, we can see that Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Grindelwald or Balaton Lake?

Grindelwald has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grindelwald and Balaton Lake. The summer months attract visitors to Grindelwald because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Grindelwald is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake in the summer. The daily temperature in Grindelwald averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, 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. In Grindelwald, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grindelwald usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during summer. Grindelwald gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

Grindelwald gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grindelwald usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Grindelwald gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Grindelwald or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grindelwald as well as Balaton Lake. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Grindelwald this time of year.

In the autumn, Grindelwald is a little warmer than Balaton Lake. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grindelwald in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Grindelwald often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Grindelwald gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.

Grindelwald receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grindelwald usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Grindelwald gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Grindelwald or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

Both Balaton Lake and Grindelwald are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Grindelwald for the skiing, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Balaton Lake can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Grindelwald. In January, Grindelwald is generally much warmer than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Grindelwald average around 5°C (41°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

Grindelwald usually receives more sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Grindelwald gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Grindelwald usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Grindelwald gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Grindelwald or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

Both Balaton Lake and Grindelwald during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Grindelwald in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Grindelwald is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake in the spring. The daily temperature in Grindelwald averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Grindelwald often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Grindelwald gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grindelwald. Grindelwald usually gets more rain in April than Balaton Lake. Grindelwald gets 152 mm (6 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 Grindelwald