Which place is cheaper, Balaton Lake or Munich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Munich or Balaton Lake?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Balaton Lake, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Munich or Balaton Lake?
Munich
Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and a top travel destination within Germany. It has stunning architecture and a cultural scene that rivals Berlin. It has some of the country's top museums, festivals, and concerts. Munich is most famous for its Oktoberfest, which is easily the busiest time of year in the city. The architecture is what surprises most travelers. It's quite impressive and truly adds to the character of the city. Although much of Munich was destroyed during World War II, the city has successfully rebuilt most of the buildings in their previous style. Much of the city remains as it was in the 1800s. There are two major research universities in Munich, helping to make it a center for engineering, business, and the sciences.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.
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Munich Prices
Germany PricesBalaton Lake Prices
Hungary Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMunich €168Balaton Lake €100
The average daily cost (per person) in Munich is €168, while the average daily cost in Balaton Lake is €100. 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 Munich and Balaton Lake in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMunich €89Balaton Lake €45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMunich €178Balaton Lake €90
Compare Hotels in Munich and Balaton Lake
Looking for a hotel in Munich 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: Munich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Munich €19Balaton Lake €11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Munich
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Munich:
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Single Zone Trip on Subway€2.30
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Inner District Subway Day Pass€5.20
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City transport day ticket€11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Munich:
- Airport Transfer by Bus: $15
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Munich Airport to Munich Central Station: $16
- Shared Departure Transfer: Munich Central Station to Munich Airport: $16
- Arrival Transfer Munich Train Station to Munich by Luxury Van: $71
- Arrival Transfer Munich Train Station to Munich by Luxury Car: $81
- Munich Airport (MUC) to Munich - Arrival Private Transfer: $111
- Munich Airport (MUC) Private Transfer to Munich City/Hotels: $112
- Private Transfer from Munich Airport to Munich City by Luxury Van: $117
- Airport transfer: $117
- Private Transfer from Munich Airport to Munich City by Luxury Car: $132
- Private Transfer to/from Munich Airport (MUC): $139
- Private Airport Transfer from Munich International Airport (MUC) to City Center Munich: $139
Is it cheaper to fly into Munich or Balaton Lake?
Prices for flights to both Balaton Lake and Munich 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 dayMunich €47Balaton Lake €44
Typical Food Prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Munich:
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Bratwurst€5.00
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Leberkässemmeln (Veal & Pork Sandwich)€1.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Munich.
- Flavors of Bavaria: A Self Guided Food Tour in Munich: $20
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $32
- Hard Rock Cafe Munich with Set Lunch or Dinner : $35
- Viktualienmarkt Gourmet Food Tour: $51
- Culinary Haidhausen - The Food Tour: $52
- 3-Hour Food Tour Through Schwabing in German: $63
- 3-Hour Food Tour Through Haidhausen in GERMAN: $63
- Christmas Markets Food Tour in Munich: $66
- Munich Food Tour : True Bavarian Full Meal with Drinks: $70
- Beer and Food Tour with Dinner & Oktoberfest Museum: $85
- Food Tour Beer- 3 small beers & "Brotzeit" in GERMAN: $87
- Munich Old Town Food Tour with 10+ Bavarian Specialties: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Munich €29Balaton Lake €19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Munich
Here are a few typical costs in Munich for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Schack Gallery Entrance€4.00
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Munich Zoo Entrance€9.00
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Pub Crawl Munich Tour€14
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Neuschwanstein Castle (2)€24
Tours and Activities in Munich
Here are a few actual costs in Munich for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Virtual Tour 360 Video Octoberfest Munich with Wolfgang: $3.52
- A Self-Guided Bavarian Tour of Munich's Hidden Wonders: $3.57
- Self Guided Tours Munich With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.57
- Munich Beer Halls and Baroque Old Town Self Guided Tour: $6.93
- Friendship Quest in Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure: $7.16
- Munich Interactive City Tour: $8.36
- Munich Self-Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Munich Exploration Private Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.55
- Audio City Tour in Munich: $9.56
- Munich Through the Centuries: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Munich’s Third Reich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- German Wine Self-Guided Tour in Munich's Old Town Wine Bars: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMunich €37Balaton Lake €8.26
Typical Alcohol Prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Munich:
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Hofbrauhaus€12
Sample the Local Flavors in Munich
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Munich:
- Exclusive Brewery Tour & Tasting of 4 Organic Beers: $31
- Munich's Original Pub Crawl: $34
- Private Pub Crawl with Free Beer and Shots: $35
- English Guided Brewery Tour in Munich beertasting 4 beers: $41
- Guided tour and beer tasting in the middle of the Hadern brewery: $42
- South Tyrolean specialties and wine tasting: $46
- Beer and Brewery Tour in Munich: $56
- Old Town Beer and Pub Tour (4 beers): $65
- Beer and Pub Tour with Tasting Portions: $69
- Aschheim: Distillery Tour with Tasting and Buffet: $81
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $316
- Private pub crawl with insider-guide & free shots: $317
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Munich and Balaton Lake, we can see that Munich 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 Munich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Munich 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 Munich Expensive? and Is Balaton Lake Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Munich or Balaton Lake?
Munich has a larger population, and is about 610 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Munich 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 Munich 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 Munich or Balaton Lake in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Balaton Lake. Most visitors come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Munich is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake in the summer. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Balaton Lake this time of the year. In Munich, it's very sunny this time of the year. Munich usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during summer. Munich gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Munich usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 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 JulyMunich 20°C (68°F)Balaton Lake 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Munich or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Munich as well as Balaton Lake. The autumn months attract visitors to Munich because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Munich is cooler than Balaton Lake. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Munich in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 13°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Munich often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Munich gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 169 hours of full sun.
Munich usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 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 OctoberMunich 11°C (52°F)Balaton Lake 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Munich or Balaton Lake in the Winter?
Both Balaton Lake and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Munich this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Balaton Lake. It's quite cold in Munich in the winter. In January, Munich is generally much colder than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Munich average around -1°C (31°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).
Munich usually receives less sunshine than Balaton Lake during winter. Munich gets 30 hours of sunny skies, while Balaton Lake receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Munich usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 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 JanuaryMunich -1°C (31°F)Balaton Lake 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Munich or Balaton Lake in the Spring?
Both Balaton Lake and Munich during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Munich for the activities around the city.
Munich is around the same temperature as Balaton Lake in the spring. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Munich often gets less sunshine than Balaton Lake. Munich gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Balaton Lake receives 187 hours of full sun.
Munich usually gets less rain in April than Balaton Lake. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 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 AprilMunich 11°C (53°F)Balaton Lake 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Munich
| Munich | Balaton Lake | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (62°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.