A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tihany vs. Flam for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tihany or Flam?

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

Should I visit Tihany or Flam? 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 Flam?

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.

Flam

Flam is a village in Norway. The fjord village of Flam is located on the scenic inner Aurlandsfjord branch of the world's deepest and second-longest fjord, Sognefjord. Flam is surrounded by steep mountains, thundering waterfalls and narrow valleys, and during the spring and summer months you will see large cruise ships gliding in through the narrow fjord with their course set for Flam Harbor. The main attraction here is the stunning mountain railway that creeps up into the surrounding peaks and offers truly eye-popping panoramas. Unfortunately, it's far from a well-kept secret, and on the busiest summer days the tiny village can find itself swamped by several thousand visitors – it's probably best left for the quieter seasons of spring and autumn. The popular 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour also stops here.

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 Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Tihany or Flam?

Tihany has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Tihany and Flam, 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 Flam?

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 Tihany or Flam in the Summer?

Both Flam and Tihany are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Flam because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tihany is generally a little warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Tihany average around 21°C (70°F), and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In July, Tihany usually receives less rain than Flam. Tihany gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tihany or Flam in the Autumn?

Both Flam and Tihany during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

Tihany is a little warmer than Flam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tihany averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tihany usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Tihany gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tihany or Flam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tihany and Flam. Also, many travelers come to Flam for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Flam. It's quite cold in Tihany in the winter. In the winter, Tihany is much colder than Flam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tihany in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Flam averages at about 2°C (35°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Tihany usually receives less rain than Flam. Tihany gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tihany or Flam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tihany as well as Flam. Also, many visitors come to Flam in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Tihany is generally much warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Tihany average around 12°C (53°F), and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Tihany usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Tihany gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Flam and Tihany