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

Should you visit Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye 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: Isle of Skye or Balaton Lake?

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is a series of islands lying off the west coast of Scotland, best known for their dazzling natural wonders. From the natural pools at the Fairy Glen to hiking Jurassic Period mountains, you'll never run out of beautiful sights to see. Spend your days wandering through the scenery that has been featured in various films and has inspired poets and artists throughout centuries. The best time to visit Skye is from May-August when temperatures are at their highest, in the 60's Fahrenheit, and rainfall is at its lowest.

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 United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, 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 Isle of Skye and Balaton Lake, we can see that Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Isle of Skye or Balaton Lake?

Isle of Skye has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Isle of Skye as well as Balaton Lake. Many travelers come to Isle of Skye for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Isle of Skye is generally much colder than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Isle of Skye average around 13°C (55°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Balaton Lake. In the summer, Isle of Skye often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Isle of Skye gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun.

Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in July than Balaton Lake. Isle of Skye gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

Both Balaton Lake and Isle of Skye are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Isle of Skye in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Isle of Skye is cooler than Balaton Lake in the autumn. The daily temperature in Isle of Skye averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during autumn. Isle of Skye gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Isle of Skye. In October, Isle of Skye usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Isle of Skye gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

Both Balaton Lake and Isle of Skye during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Isle of Skye for the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Balaton Lake can be very cold. Isle of Skye can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Isle of Skye is much warmer than Balaton Lake. Typically, the winter temperatures in Isle of Skye in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Isle of Skye often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Isle of Skye gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Isle of Skye. Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in January than Balaton Lake. Isle of Skye gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Isle of Skye and Balaton Lake. The spring months attract visitors to Isle of Skye because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Isle of Skye is generally much colder than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Isle of Skye average around 7°C (44°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during spring. Isle of Skye gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Isle of Skye usually receives around the same amount of rain as Balaton Lake. Isle of Skye gets 59 mm (2.3 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 Isle of Skye