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

Should you visit Tihany or Zagreb?

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

Should I visit Tihany or Zagreb? 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 Zagreb?

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.

Zagreb

Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.

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 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Zagreb or Tihany?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tihany is $44, while the average daily cost in Zagreb is $82. 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 Tihany and Zagreb in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tihany $19
    Zagreb $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tihany $38
    Zagreb $102
Compare Hotels in Tihany and Zagreb

Looking for a hotel in Tihany or Zagreb? 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.

Hotels in Tihany


Hotels in Zagreb


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: Tihany Hotel Prices and Zagreb Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tihany $11
    Zagreb $9.69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:

  • private transfer from Trogir/Split to Zagreb via Plitvice: $1,747
  • Private transfer from Zagreb to Vienna: $927
  • Private transfer from Zagreb to Budapest: $927
  • Private Transfer Zagreb-Split: $738
  • Private Transfer from Split to Zagreb via Plitvice & Rastoke: $639
  • Private Transfer Tour from Zagreb - Split via Plitvice Lakes: $601
  • Private transfer from/to Zagreb to/from Split: $565
  • Private Transfer from Split to Zagreb with stop at Plitvice: $554
  • Zagreb to Budapest Private Transfer by Minivan: $532
  • Private Transfer Zagreb-Zadar: $526
  • From Sarajevo: One-Way Transfer to Zagreb & Plitvice Lakes: $426
  • Sarajevo: 1-Way Private Transfer to Zagreb or opposite: $373

Is it cheaper to fly into Tihany or Zagreb?

Prices for flights to both Zagreb and Tihany 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 day
    Tihany $18
    Zagreb $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.

  • Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $74
  • Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $75
  • Croatian cuisine cooking class with Dolac market tour: $136
  • Private Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $144
  • Private Food Tour with Tastings: $173
  • Wine & Food tour of Plešivica near Zagreb: $948

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tihany $4.82
    Zagreb $13

Tours and Activities in Tihany

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tihany.

  • Erotic Renaissance Wax Museum Entrance Ticket: $5.43
  • Lake Balaton: Paddle Board Tour of Tihany National Park: $43
  • Lake Balaton: Sunset SUP Tour Tihany: $43
  • The best of Keszthely walking tour: $98
  • Romantic tour around Keszthely for couples: $98
  • Special Magical Christmas Walking Tour in Keszthely: $217

Tours and Activities in Zagreb

Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private eclectic experience of Rastoke and Plitvice Lakes National Park: $163
  • Zagreb History Walking Tour: $31
  • (180min) Zagreb Leisure Tour-more ride up to the Mirogoj cemetery: $106
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Zagreb City with Guide (up to 10): $152
  • 2-Hour Unveiling A Captivating History Tour: $107
  • 4 Day Touristic Adventure from Zagreb: $2,441
  • 4-hour Private Zagreb & the Mountain Tour in a Yugo car: $114
  • All-Inclusive Day Tour Zagreb-Rastoke-Plitvice Lakes-Split: $1,064
  • Back to Yugoslavia Private City Tour in Old-Timer Yugo Car: $92
  • Baroque Varaždin and Trakošćan Castle Private Tour: $190
  • Beautiful Christmas in Zagreb - Walking Tour: $198
  • Beautiful Christmas in Zagreb - Walking Tour: $430

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tihany $6.58
    Zagreb $9.49

Sample the Local Flavors in Tihany

Also in Tihany, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • From Budapest: Wine Tasting At Balaton Full Day Private Tour: $1,209

Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb

Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Zagreb Pub Crawl: $16
  • Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $32
  • Zagreb Wine Tasting & Jarun Lake Tour: $75
  • Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $197
  • Private Wine Tasting Tour from Zagreb: $206
  • Plesivica Region Wine Tasting Half-day Tour : $271


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


Which is Bigger, Tihany or Zagreb?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 490 times larger than the population of Tihany. When comparing the sizes of Tihany and Zagreb, 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 Zagreb?

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 Zagreb in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tihany as well as Zagreb. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Tihany is around the same temperature as Zagreb in the summer. The daily temperature in Tihany averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Zagreb fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zagreb. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tihany this time of the year. In the summer, Tihany often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb. Tihany gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

Tihany usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. Tihany gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tihany 21°C (70°F) 
    Zagreb 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Tihany or Zagreb in the Autumn?

Both Zagreb and Tihany are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

In the autumn, Tihany is cooler than Zagreb. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tihany in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Tihany usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during autumn. Tihany gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tihany usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Tihany gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tihany 12°C (53°F) 
    Zagreb 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Tihany or Zagreb in the Winter?

Both Zagreb and Tihany during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Zagreb for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zagreb. It's quite cold in Tihany in the winter. In January, Tihany is generally much colder than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Tihany average around -1°C (31°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Tihany often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Tihany gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

Tihany usually gets less rain in January than Zagreb. Tihany gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tihany -1°C (31°F) 
    Zagreb 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Tihany or Zagreb in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tihany and Zagreb. Also, many visitors come to Zagreb in the spring for the activities around the city.

Tihany is cooler than Zagreb in the spring. The daily temperature in Tihany averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Tihany usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during spring. Tihany gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tihany usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Tihany gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tihany 12°C (53°F) 
    Zagreb 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Tihany

Tihany Zagreb
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -1°C (31°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 1°C (35°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 2°C (35°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 27 mm (1 in) 8°C (47°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 16°C (62°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 20°C (67°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (69°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 51 mm (2 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 22°C (71°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)