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

Should you visit Tihany or Balaton Lake?

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

Should I visit Tihany 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: Tihany or Balaton Lake?

Tihany

Located on the northern coast of Lake Balaton in Hungary, Tihany is a historic village with quaint streets and bustling squares - all centered on the twin-towered Tihany Benedictine Abbey which dates back to the 11th century.

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 Food and Culinary Tours in Hungary, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, and The Best Budget Tours to Hungary.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tihany and Balaton Lake, we can see that Balaton Lake is more expensive. And not only is Tihany much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tihany would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tihany 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 Balaton Lake would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Balaton Lake than you might in Tihany.

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

Which is Bigger, Tihany or Balaton Lake?

Balaton Lake has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Tihany. When comparing the sizes of Tihany 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 Tihany or Balaton Lake?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tihany or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

Both Balaton Lake and Tihany during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Tihany is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tihany in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Balaton Lake, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tihany. In the summer, Tihany often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Tihany gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun.

Tihany usually gets less rain in July than Balaton Lake. Tihany gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tihany or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tihany and Balaton Lake.

In October, Tihany is generally cooler than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Tihany average around 12°C (53°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Tihany usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during autumn. Tihany gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tihany usually receives less rain than Balaton Lake. Tihany gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tihany or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tihany as well as Balaton Lake.

Balaton Lake can be very cold during winter. Tihany can get quite cold in the winter. Tihany is much colder than Balaton Lake in the winter. The daily temperature in Tihany averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Tihany often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Tihany gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun.

Tihany usually gets less rain in January than Balaton Lake. Tihany gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tihany or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Tihany is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tihany in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Tihany usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake during spring. Tihany gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tihany usually receives less rain than Balaton Lake. Tihany gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Tihany