Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Salzburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Salzburg or Balaton Lake?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Balaton Lake, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Salzburg or Balaton Lake?
Salzburg
Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalzburg €155Balaton Lake €80
The average daily cost (per person) in Salzburg is €155, while the average daily cost in Balaton Lake is €80. 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 Salzburg and Balaton Lake in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalzburg €91Balaton Lake €45
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalzburg €182Balaton Lake €90
Compare Hotels in Salzburg and Balaton Lake
Looking for a hotel in Salzburg 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: Salzburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salzburg €19Balaton Lake €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salzburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
- Private Transfer between Salzburg Airport and Salzburg City: $55
- Salzburg Private Transfer from Salzburg Airport to City centre: $55
- Salzburg Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $65
- Private transfer: Salzburg Airport (SZG) to Salzburg : $65
- Private transfer: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport (SZG): $65
- Private Salzburg Airport luxury transfers to Salzburg city&Hotels: $65
- Salzburg Airport (SZG) to SkiWelt - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $90
- Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Business Car: $91
- Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $91
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Luxury Van: $93
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Van: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Salzburg or Balaton Lake?
Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Salzburg 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 daySalzburg €41Balaton Lake €25
Typical Food Prices in Salzburg
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
-
Lunch Salad€9.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
- Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Class Including Lunch: $59
- Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $60
- Best of Mozart Fortress Concert and Dinner: $81
- Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $83
- Mozart Concert with Dinner: $83
- Dinner Cooking Class and Music: $84
- Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $85
- Dinner Cooking Class - Prezels, Dumplings, Apple Strudel & Music: $86
- Dinner and Classical Concert at Mirabell Palace: $94
- Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert: $106
- Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $111
- Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $133
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salzburg €30Balaton Lake €19
Tours and Activities in Salzburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Cathedral Entry Ticket with Audio Guide Option: $5.35
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- Salzburg Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Sound of Music Sightseeing Walk with Audio Guide: $6.99
- A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $7.47
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $8.02
- Mirabell Palace and Surroundings Audio Tour: $8.52
- Salzburg Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Salzburg Cathedral: Guided Tour with Entry Ticket: $9.62
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySalzburg €26Balaton Lake €8.18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salzburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
-
Beer€3.70
Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
- Stiegl Brewery Museum Entry Ticket & Beer Tasting: $16
- Stiegl Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
- Guided Wine Tasting in a Hidden Wine Bar: $36
- Private Austrian Wine Tasting with a Pro-Sommelière: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salzburg and Balaton Lake, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Balaton Lake?
Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg 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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg or Balaton Lake in the Summer?
Both Balaton Lake and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Salzburg is cooler than Balaton Lake in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Balaton Lake. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salzburg. Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during summer. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySalzburg 20°C (68°F)Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Salzburg or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?
Both Balaton Lake and Salzburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Salzburg is cooler than Balaton Lake. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 13°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.
Salzburg usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSalzburg 11°C (52°F)Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Salzburg or Balaton Lake in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Balaton Lake. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Balaton Lake. It's quite cold in Salzburg in the winter. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).
Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySalzburg -0°C (31°F)Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Salzburg or Balaton Lake in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Balaton Lake. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the natural beauty.
Salzburg is cooler than Balaton Lake in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.
Salzburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Balaton Lake. Salzburg gets 55 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 AprilSalzburg 11°C (51°F)Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Salzburg
| Salzburg | Balaton Lake | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
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.