A Travel Price Comparison for Hungary Pecs vs. Balaton Lake for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pecs or Balaton Lake?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pecs and Balaton Lake. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Pecs or Balaton Lake?

Pecs

Located in southwest Hungary, Pecs is a pleasant university town with a history that dates back to Roman times - a history evident in its ancient architecture. Some of the most sought after sites include the Early Christian Necropolis, the Mosque of Pasha Quasim, and the Cathedral of Pecs.

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 Tours for Seniors to Hungary, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Pecs?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pecs is $80, 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 Pecs and Balaton Lake in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pecs $37
    Balaton Lake $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pecs $74
    Balaton Lake $96
Compare Hotels in Pecs and Balaton Lake

Looking for a hotel in Pecs 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 Pecs


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: Pecs Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pecs $17
    Balaton Lake $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pecs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pecs:

  • Pécs - Budapest Transfer: $149

Is it cheaper to fly into Pecs or Balaton Lake?

Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Pecs 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
    Pecs $29
    Balaton Lake $27
Typical Food Prices in Pecs

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pecs:


  • Dinner for Two
    $24

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pecs $17
    Balaton Lake $20

Tours and Activities in Pecs

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

  • Mineral Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.34

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pecs $8.30
    Balaton Lake $8.73


When comparing the travel costs between Pecs and Balaton Lake, we can see that Balaton Lake is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Pecs or Balaton Lake?

Pecs has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Pecs 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 Pecs 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 Pecs or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pecs and Balaton Lake.

Pecs is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake in the summer. The daily temperature in Pecs averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Balaton Lake this time of the year. In Pecs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pecs usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake during summer. Pecs gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Pecs usually receives around the same amount of rain as Balaton Lake. Pecs gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pecs 22°C (71°F) 
    Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Pecs or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pecs as well as Balaton Lake.

In the autumn, Pecs is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pecs in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Pecs often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Pecs gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.

Pecs usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Balaton Lake. Pecs 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
    Pecs 13°C (56°F) 
    Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Pecs or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

Both Balaton Lake and Pecs are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

The weather in Balaton Lake can be very cold. Pecs can be very cold during winter. In January, Pecs is generally around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Pecs average around 0°C (32°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

Pecs usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake during winter. Pecs gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pecs usually receives around the same amount of rain as Balaton Lake. Pecs gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pecs 0°C (32°F) 
    Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Pecs or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

Both Balaton Lake and Pecs during the spring are popular places to visit.

Pecs is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake in the spring. The daily temperature in Pecs averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Pecs often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Pecs gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.

Pecs usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Balaton Lake. Pecs gets 56 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
    Pecs 12°C (54°F) 
    Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Pecs

Pecs Balaton Lake
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (32°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 0°C (32°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 3°C (37°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 7°C (45°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 22°C (71°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 2°C (36°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 2°C (36°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)