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

Should you visit Kiel or Balaton Lake?

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

Should I visit Kiel 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: Kiel or Balaton Lake?

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

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.

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

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Balaton Lake?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Balaton Lake. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

In the summer, Kiel is cooler than Balaton Lake. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiel in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Balaton Lake this time of the year. In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during summer. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kiel usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kiel or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

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

In October, Kiel is generally cooler than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 10°C (50°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

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

Balaton Lake can be very cold during winter. Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. Kiel is much warmer than Balaton Lake in the winter. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kiel usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kiel or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

Both Balaton Lake and Kiel during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Kiel is much colder than Balaton Lake. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiel in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets less rain in April than Balaton Lake. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 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 Kiel