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

Should you visit Mamaia or Tihany?

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

Should I visit Mamaia 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: Mamaia or Tihany?

Mamaia

The most popular beach resort in Romania, Mamaia sits on an 8-kilometer wisp of land between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an aqua park, the resort area is a party-goer's destination with endless opportunities for fun in the sun and nighttime merriment.

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 Tours for Seniors to Romania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Hungary, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary.


Which place is cheaper, Tihany or Mamaia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Mamaia is $64, while the average daily cost in Tihany is $44. 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 Mamaia and Tihany in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mamaia $25
    Tihany $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mamaia $50
    Tihany $38
Compare Hotels in Mamaia and Tihany

Looking for a hotel in Mamaia 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 Mamaia


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: Tihany Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mamaia $27
    Tihany $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mamaia

Also for Mamaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta to Bucharest Driver - Private Guided Transfer : $272
  • Constanta to Bucharest Otopeni airport - private transfers: $250
  • Cernavoda to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $217
  • Private Transfer from Constanta to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $174

Is it cheaper to fly into Mamaia or Tihany?

Prices for flights to both Tihany and Mamaia 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
    Mamaia $22
    Tihany $18

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mamaia $13
    Tihany $4.82

Tours and Activities in Mamaia

For Mamaia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Day Tour: Visit Histria Winery and Ancient Citadel: $86
  • One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis): $175
  • Self-Guided Labyrinth in the Rocks Tour near Silistra: $21

Tours and Activities in Tihany

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

  • The best of Keszthely walking tour: $98
  • Erotic Renaissance Wax Museum Entrance Ticket: $5.43
  • Lake Balaton: Paddle Board Tour of Tihany National Park: $43
  • Lake Balaton: Sunset SUP Tour Tihany: $43
  • Romantic tour around Keszthely for couples: $98
  • Special Magical Christmas Walking Tour in Keszthely: $217

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mamaia $12
    Tihany $6.58

Sample the Local Flavors in Mamaia

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

  • Unveilling the Essence: Gabai Winery's Captivating Wine Tours: $43

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: $1,209


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



When is the best time to visit Mamaia or Tihany?

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 Mamaia or Tihany in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mamaia and Tihany.

Mamaia is around the same temperature as Tihany in the summer. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Tihany fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tihany this time of the year. In Mamaia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mamaia usually receives more sunshine than Tihany during summer. Mamaia gets 320 hours of sunny skies, while Tihany receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Tihany. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mamaia 22°C (72°F) 
    Tihany 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Tihany in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mamaia as well as Tihany.

In the autumn, Mamaia is a little warmer than Tihany. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mamaia in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Tihany averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Mamaia often gets more sunshine than Tihany. Mamaia gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tihany receives 152 hours of full sun.

Mamaia usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Tihany. Mamaia gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mamaia 14°C (56°F) 
    Tihany 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Tihany in the Winter?

Both Tihany and Mamaia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

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

Mamaia usually receives more sunshine than Tihany during winter. Mamaia gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Tihany receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Tihany. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


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

Should I visit Mamaia or Tihany in the Spring?

Both Tihany and Mamaia during the spring are popular places to visit.

Mamaia is cooler than Tihany in the spring. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Tihany fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Mamaia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tihany. Mamaia gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tihany receives 178 hours of full sun.

Mamaia usually gets less rain in April than Tihany. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mamaia 10°C (51°F) 
    Tihany 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Tihany and Mamaia

Mamaia Tihany
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 1°C (33°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) -1°C (31°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 26 mm (1 in) 7°C (44°F) 27 mm (1 in)
Apr 10°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (62°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 21°C (69°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 1°C (34°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)