Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Plovdiv?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Plovdiv or Balaton Lake?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Plovdiv and Balaton Lake can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Plovdiv or Balaton Lake?
Plovdiv
Located in a large, hilly plain between the Rhodope Mountains in the south of Bulgaria and the Balkan Range in the central part of the country, Plovdiv sits uniquely spread across six hills. It is one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world, dating back roughly 8,000 years. Some of its best features are its ancient ruins and historic architecture.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria, 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 dayPlovdiv $80Balaton Lake $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Plovdiv 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 Plovdiv and Balaton Lake in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlovdiv $44Balaton Lake $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlovdiv $88Balaton Lake $96
Compare Hotels in Plovdiv and Balaton Lake
Looking for a hotel in Plovdiv 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: Plovdiv Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Plovdiv $22Balaton Lake $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plovdiv
Also for Plovdiv, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $98
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $103
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Borovets: $103
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $190
Is it cheaper to fly into Plovdiv or Balaton Lake?
Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Plovdiv 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 dayPlovdiv $21Balaton Lake $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Plovdiv $15Balaton Lake $20
Tours and Activities in Plovdiv
For Plovdiv, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Plovdiv Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $20
- Plovdiv Private City Walking Tour Old Town & Ancient Stadium: $20
- Self-Guided Hiking Tour of the Smolyan Lakes: $21
- Guided Walking Tour: $21
- Plovdiv guided walking tour: $22
- Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $23
- Local Adventures in the Rhodope Mountains: $31
- Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv: $38
- Private Plovdiv Walking Tour: $38
- Plovdiv - Private walking tour: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlovdiv $9.57Balaton Lake $8.73
Sample the Local Flavors in Plovdiv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plovdiv:
- Chateau Copsa Wine Tasting Tours & Activities: $21
- Old Town Exploring Guide Roman Ruins & Wine Tasting: $80
- Thracian Valley wine tasting - private day tour from Plovdiv: $91
- Private Day Trip From Plovdiv To Wine Cellars And Wine Tasting: $107
- From Sofia: Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Tour With Wine Tasting: $120
When comparing the travel costs between Plovdiv 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 Plovdiv Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Plovdiv or Balaton Lake?
Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Plovdiv 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.