Which city is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Sochi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sochi vs. Balaton Lake for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Sochi or Balaton Lake?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sochi or Balaton Lake? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Sochi or Balaton Lake?
Sochi
Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySochi $63Balaton Lake $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi is $63, while the average daily cost in Balaton Lake is $70. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sochi and Balaton Lake in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSochi $15Balaton Lake $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSochi $30Balaton Lake $78
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Balaton Lake
Looking for a hotel in Sochi 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: Sochi Hotel Prices and Balaton Lake Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sochi -Balaton Lake $9.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sochi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sochi:
- Private Airport Transfer: from Sochi to Sochi International Airport (AER): $23
- Private Arrival Transfer from Sochi International Airport AER to Sochi City Center: $28
- Departure Private Transfer from Sochi City to Sochi Airport AER by Minivan: $52
- Departure Private Transfer from Sochi City to Sochi Airport AER by Business Car: $52
- Private Sochi International Airport AER - Sochi City Round-Trip Transfer: $55
- Airport transfer: $66
- Sochi International Airport Private Transfer: $123
- Sochi, Russia Private & Secure Airport Transfers to/from AER Airport & Sochi: $132
Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Balaton Lake?
Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Sochi 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 daySochi $18Balaton Lake $22
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sochi $118Balaton Lake $17
Tours and Activities in Sochi
Here are a few actual costs in Sochi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Tour: Discover Sochi on a Private Stroll: $93
- Sochi Private Tour with driver (ENG): $160
- Olympic Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana Private Tour: $177
- Discover the Highlights of Sochi and its Best Bird's-eye View on Private Tour: $193
- Agura Canyon and Waterfalls Private Trekking Tour from Sochi: $225
- 3–Hour City Tour: $255
- Sochi City Tour: $281
- Highlights of Sochi Private Tour: Dacha of J.Stalin and Mount Akhun Views: $330
- Nightlife in Sochi - Private tour. Meet a Sunset at the Akhun Mountain: $330
- Discover the secrets of Sochi on the shore Excursion Private Tour: $330
- Walking Tour in the Heart of Sochi: $382
- Discover Olympic Sochi and Enjoy Scenic Mountainous Views on Private Tour: $406
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySochi -Balaton Lake $7.18
When comparing the travel costs between Sochi 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.
When is the best time to visit Sochi 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 Sochi or Balaton Lake in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Balaton Lake.
In the summer, Sochi is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sochi in July are around 23°C (73°F), and Balaton Lake is about 22°C (71°F).
In July, Sochi usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySochi 23°C (73°F)Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Balaton Lake.
In October, Sochi is generally a little warmer than Balaton Lake. Temperatures in Sochi average around 16°C (60°F), and Balaton Lake stays around 13°C (56°F).
Sochi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sochi usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSochi 16°C (60°F)Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Balaton Lake in the Winter?
Both Balaton Lake and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Balaton Lake can be very cold during winter. Sochi is much warmer than Balaton Lake in the winter. The temperature in Sochi is usually 6°C (44°F) in January, and Balaton Lake stays around 0°C (32°F).
It's quite rainy in Sochi. In January, Sochi usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySochi 6°C (44°F)Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Balaton Lake in the Spring?
Both Balaton Lake and Sochi during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Sochi is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sochi in April are around 13°C (55°F), and Balaton Lake is about 12°C (54°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. Sochi usually gets more rain in April than Balaton Lake. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSochi 13°C (55°F)Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Sochi
| Sochi | Balaton Lake | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (44°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
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Budget Your Trip
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