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

Should you visit Kiel or Tihany?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Tihany? 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 Tihany?

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.

Tihany

Located on the northern coast of Lake Balaton in Hungary, Tihany is a historic village with quaint streets and bustling squares - all centered on the twin-towered Tihany Benedictine Abbey which dates back to the 11th century.

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 Food and Culinary Tours in Hungary, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary.


Which place is cheaper, Tihany or Kiel?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kiel is €138, while the average daily cost in Tihany is €41. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kiel and Tihany in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kiel 67
    Tihany 18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kiel 134
    Tihany 36
Compare Hotels in Kiel and Tihany

Looking for a hotel in Kiel or Tihany? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Kiel


Hotels in Tihany


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kiel Hotel Prices and Tihany Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kiel 54
    Tihany 10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:

  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Kiel or Tihany?

Prices for flights to both Tihany and Kiel change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kiel 39
    Tihany 17

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kiel 19
    Tihany 4.52

Tours and Activities in Kiel

Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bicycle tour to Friedrichshafen with a visit to the Zeppelin & Dornier Museum: $141
  • Bike Tour of Lubeck with Top Attractions and Private Guide: $244
  • Boat Cruise and a Private Walking Tour of Lubeck's Old Town: $205
  • Christmas Stories of Lubeck – Private Walking Tour: $256
  • City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • Discovering Lubeck – Private Walking Tour for Couples: $202
  • Fascinating Pearls of Lubeck - Guided Walking Tour: $191
  • Kiel - Private Historic Walking Tour: $384
  • Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Kiel Private Guided Walking Tour: $281
  • Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
  • Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12

Tours and Activities in Tihany

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tihany.

  • Erotic Renaissance Wax Museum Entrance Ticket: $5.45
  • Lake Balaton: Paddle Board Tour of Tihany National Park: $43
  • Lake Balaton: Sunset SUP Tour Tihany: $43
  • The best of Keszthely walking tour: $98
  • Romantic tour around Keszthely for couples: $98
  • Special Magical Christmas Walking Tour in Keszthely: $218

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kiel 12
    Tihany 6.17

Sample the Local Flavors in Tihany

Also in Tihany, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • From Budapest: Wine Tasting At Balaton Full Day Private Tour: $1,219


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiel and Tihany, we can see that Kiel is more expensive. And not only is Tihany much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tihany would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tihany 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 Tihany.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kiel Expensive? and Is Tihany Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kiel or Tihany?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Tihany. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Tihany, 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 Tihany?

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 Kiel or Tihany in the Summer?

Both Tihany and Kiel during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kiel is cooler than Tihany in the summer. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Tihany fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Tihany, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kiel. In the summer, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Tihany. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tihany receives 278 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in July than Tihany. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kiel 16°C (61°F) 
    Tihany 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Tihany in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Tihany. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

In the autumn, Kiel is cooler than Tihany. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kiel in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Tihany averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Tihany during autumn. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Tihany receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kiel usually receives more rain than Tihany. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kiel 10°C (50°F) 
    Tihany 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Tihany in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Tihany. Many travelers come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Tihany can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiel. In January, Kiel is generally much warmer than Tihany. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 0°C (33°F), and Tihany fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Tihany. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tihany receives 61 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in January than Tihany. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kiel 0°C (33°F) 
    Tihany -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Tihany in the Spring?

Both Tihany and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kiel in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Kiel is much colder than Tihany in the spring. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Tihany fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Kiel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tihany during spring. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Tihany receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kiel usually receives more rain than Tihany. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kiel 7°C (44°F) 
    Tihany 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Tihany and Kiel

Kiel Tihany
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) -1°C (31°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 2°C (35°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 3°C (38°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 27 mm (1 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 16°C (62°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 21°C (69°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 14°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 2°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 1°C (34°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)