A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Villach vs. Balaton Lake for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Villach or Balaton Lake?

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

Should I visit Villach 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: Villach or Balaton Lake?

Villach

Located on the Drava River in the Austrian province of Carinthia, near the Italian and Slovenian borders, the city of Villach is known as a gateway to nearby lakes Faak and Ossiach, as well as the Villach Alps. Hiking and water sports are common in the surrounding area, as well as historic sight-seeing and enjoying the picturesque town center called Altstadt.

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 2-Week Tours in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.

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

Which is Bigger, Villach or Balaton Lake?

Villach has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Villach 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 Villach 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 Villach or Balaton Lake in the Summer?

Both Balaton Lake and Villach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Villach this time of year.

Villach is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake in the summer. The daily temperature in Villach averages around 24°C (75°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 Villach. Villach usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake during summer. Villach gets 288 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Villach usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Villach gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Villach or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

Both Balaton Lake and Villach during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Villach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Villach is a little warmer than Balaton Lake. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Villach in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Villach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Villach gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.

Villach usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Villach gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Villach or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Villach and Balaton Lake. Many visitors come to Villach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Balaton Lake can be very cold during winter. In January, Villach is generally much warmer than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Villach average around 5°C (41°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

Villach usually receives more sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Villach gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Villach usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Villach gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Villach or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Villach as well as Balaton Lake. Most visitors come to Villach for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Villach is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake in the spring. The daily temperature in Villach averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Villach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Balaton Lake. Villach gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.

Villach usually gets more rain in April than Balaton Lake. Villach gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Villach