Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Murren?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Murren 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 Murren 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: Murren or Balaton Lake?
Murren
Murren (or Muerren) is a fairly expensive destination, as it's a small town in a very popular area for travelers in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. The town sits up on the side of the mountain above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and is mostly car free. Getting here involves a ride on a gondola and cog-rail. The main activities in Murren are skiing in winter and outdoor activities in the summer, all of which tend to be a bit pricey. However, the price is well warranted according to most visitors, as the mountain scenery is top notch, the food is excellent, and the activities are world-class.
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 Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMurren $407Balaton Lake $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Murren is $407, while the average daily cost in Balaton Lake is $86. 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 Murren and Balaton Lake in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMurren $217Balaton Lake $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMurren $434Balaton Lake $96
Compare Hotels in Murren and Balaton Lake
Looking for a hotel in Murren 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.
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: Murren Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Murren $50Balaton Lake $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Murren or Balaton Lake?
Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Murren 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
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Food Meals for one dayMurren $150Balaton Lake $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Murren
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Murren.
- Sunset hike with outdoor Cheese Fondue dinner: $167
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Murren $59Balaton Lake $20
Tours and Activities in Murren
Here are a few actual costs in Murren for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Swiss countryside tour in free-cars town: $123
- Sledding adventure with Chocolate degustation: $129
- Private Speedriding Tandem Experience in Switzerland: $279
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMurren $19Balaton Lake $8.73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Murren and Balaton Lake, we can see that Murren 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 Murren would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Murren 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 Murren Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Murren or Balaton Lake?
Balaton Lake has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Murren 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.