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

Should you visit Linz or Balaton Lake?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Linz and Balaton Lake can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Linz or Balaton Lake?

Linz

Located on the shores of the Danube River, Linz is Austria's third largest city and the capital city of the Upper Austria province. It is best known for is Renaissance architecture including a number of churches as well as a historic castle.

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 in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.


Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Linz?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Linz is €114, while the average daily cost in Balaton Lake is €80. 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 Linz and Balaton Lake in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Linz 58
    Balaton Lake 45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Linz 116
    Balaton Lake 90
Compare Hotels in Linz and Balaton Lake

Looking for a hotel in Linz or Balaton Lake? 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 Linz


Hotels in Balaton Lake


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: Linz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Linz 41
    Balaton Lake 11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Linz

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Linz:

  • Linz Private Transfer from Linz Airport to Wels city: $68
  • Linz Private Transfer from Linz city centre to Linz Airport: $70
  • Linz Private Transfer from Linz Airport to City centre: $70
  • Private Transfer from Linz to Munich, Hotel-to-hotel, English-speaking driver: $180
  • Transfer from Linz to Munich: Private daytrip with 2 hours for sightseeing: $212

Is it cheaper to fly into Linz or Balaton Lake?

Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Linz 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
    Linz 32
    Balaton Lake 25
Typical Food Prices in Linz

Some typical examples of dining costs in Linz are as follows:


  • Leberkäse (Sausage Loaf)
    4.20
  • Lunch
    8.50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Linz 13
    Balaton Lake 19

Tours and Activities in Linz

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Linz are as follows:

  • Linz Harbor Cruise: $15
  • Detective Trail puzzle tour for the whole family: $16
  • What the bloody hell is there in Linz? 1,5 hour walking tour: $24
  • Linz Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
  • Private History Tour with a Linzer Cake Tasting: $149
  • Linz Exploration: Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $176
  • Linz Old Town Highlights Walking Tour with Pöstlingbergbahn: $191
  • Linz Cultural Marvels Walking Tour: $205
  • Literature in Adalbert Stifter Institute Private Tour: $210
  • Family Tour of Linz's Old Town, Pöstlingberg and Grottenbahn: $210
  • Literature in Adalbert Stifter Institute Private Tour : $214

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Linz 16
    Balaton Lake 8.18


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


Which is Bigger, Linz or Balaton Lake?

Linz has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Linz 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 Linz 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 Linz or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

Both Balaton Lake and Linz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Linz in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Linz is cooler than Balaton Lake. Typically, the summer temperatures in Linz in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Balaton Lake. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Linz. Linz usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during summer. Linz gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Linz usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Linz gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Linz 20°C (68°F) 
    Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Linz or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

Both Balaton Lake and Linz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Linz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Linz is generally cooler than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Linz average around 11°C (52°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Linz often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Linz gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Balaton Lake. Linz gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Linz 11°C (52°F) 
    Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Linz or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Linz and Balaton Lake. The winter months attract visitors to Linz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Balaton Lake in the winter. The weather in Linz can be very cold. Linz is much colder than Balaton Lake in the winter. The daily temperature in Linz averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

Linz usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Linz gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Linz usually receives less rain than Balaton Lake. Linz gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Linz -0°C (31°F) 
    Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Linz or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Linz as well as Balaton Lake. The natural beauty are the main draw to Linz this time of year.

In the spring, Linz is cooler than Balaton Lake. Typically, the spring temperatures in Linz in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Linz often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Linz gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Balaton Lake. Linz gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Linz 11°C (51°F) 
    Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Linz

Linz Balaton Lake
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (31°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 0°C (32°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 11°C (51°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jun 18°C (65°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 22°C (71°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 50 mm (2 in) 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 1°C (35°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 2°C (36°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)