Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zurich or Balaton Lake?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Balaton Lake. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Zurich or Balaton Lake?
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $268Balaton Lake $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $268, while the average daily cost in Balaton Lake is $86. 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 Zurich and Balaton Lake in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $170Balaton Lake $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $340Balaton Lake $96
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Balaton Lake
Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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: Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $36Balaton Lake $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Private Transfer From Hotel To Zurich Airport or Vice Versa: $56
- Private One-way Airport Transfer Zurich Airport To/From Zurich: $65
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Vals Thermal Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $65
- Noumea Cruise Port to Noumea hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $71
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Badenweiler Thermal - Arrival Transfer: $76
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich City Center: $76
- From Zurich Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer To Zurich Hotel: $78
- Private Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich in Business Car: $82
- Private Transfer From Hotel in Zurich To Zurich Airport: $87
- Private Transfer From Zurich Airport To Hotel in Zurich: $87
- Private Zurich Transfer: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Balaton Lake?
Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Zurich 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 dayZurich $62Balaton Lake $27
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zurich $36Balaton Lake $20
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Reading Tour: $5.47
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Zurich Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.42
- Best of Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87
- Fun adventure tour of Outdoor Escape Game: $8.54
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Zürich: Swiss Finance Museum Admission Ticket: $11
- Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- The Dark Side of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $11
- Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZurich $29Balaton Lake $8.73
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $31
- eTukTuk Hot Stone BBQ and Wine Tour Zürich: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Balaton Lake, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zurich or Balaton Lake?
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich 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 Zurich or Balaton Lake in the Summer?
Both Balaton Lake and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Zurich is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 22°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Balaton Lake. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zurich usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 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 JulyZurich 21°C (70°F)Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?
Both Balaton Lake and Zurich during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zurich in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Zurich is generally around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 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 OctoberZurich 13°C (56°F)Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Balaton Lake in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Balaton Lake. Most visitors come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Balaton Lake can be very cold. Zurich can be very cold during winter. Zurich is much warmer than Balaton Lake in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).
Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zurich usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 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 JanuaryZurich 3°C (37°F)Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Balaton Lake in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Balaton Lake. The spring months attract visitors to Zurich because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Zurich is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets more rain in April than Balaton Lake. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 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 AprilZurich 12°C (53°F)Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Zurich
| Zurich | Balaton Lake | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.