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

Should you visit Potsdam 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 Potsdam and Balaton Lake can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Potsdam or Balaton Lake?

Potsdam

Before you lays a treasure chest of historic beauties. From the glimmering Renaissance Orangery Palace that overlooks its sumptuous fountains to the neoclassical Charlottenhof Castle that is surrounded by lush England gardens, you find yourself in none other than Potsdam, Germany. The capital and largest city of the German federal state of Brandenburg, Potsdam borders the German capital Berlin and is located right on the bay of the River Havel. A home for Prussian kings until 1918 and a brainchild of the Enlightenment, Potsdam was constructed thoughtfully and carefully by its architects to create what many to believe as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" and a "balance between both nature and reason." From interconnected lakes to historic landmarks, Potsdam is a city that is bursting with life all year around. With its rich history, it was no wonder various parts of the city were named a World Heritage Site. With its landscape and cityscape rivaling in beauty, Potsdam is simply a breathtaking city that must be explored!

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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.

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

Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Balaton Lake?

Potsdam has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam 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 Potsdam 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 Potsdam or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Balaton Lake. The summer months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Potsdam is cooler than Balaton Lake. Typically, the summer temperatures in Potsdam in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Balaton Lake this time of the year. In Potsdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Potsdam usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during summer. Potsdam gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Balaton Lake. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Potsdam or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Balaton Lake. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year.

In October, Potsdam is generally cooler than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 10°C (51°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Potsdam often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Potsdam gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Balaton Lake. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

Both Balaton Lake and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Potsdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Balaton Lake can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Potsdam. Potsdam is much colder than Balaton Lake in the winter. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

Potsdam usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Potsdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Potsdam usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Potsdam or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

Both Balaton Lake and Potsdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Potsdam in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Potsdam is cooler than Balaton Lake. Typically, the spring temperatures in Potsdam in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Potsdam often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Potsdam gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in April than Balaton Lake. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Potsdam