Is Balaton truly more expensive than Split and Nice?

For years, it’s been a common belief that the prices at Lake Balaton are comparable to those of Western and Southern European seaside destinations, whether for accommodation, dining, or services. As the summer season approaches and Hungary’s previously high inflation rates have declined in the second half of 2023, Noizz.hu examined the current accommodation prices for a week-long stay at Lake Balaton versus various international beach destinations.

Despite frequent claims that Hungarian prices have surpassed those of Western Europe, Csaba Baldauf, Director of Kolping Hotel Spa & Family Resort, recently stated to Mindmegette.hu that “the data shows otherwise.” According to Baldauf, if we compare Siófok to Italian or Croatian resorts, Hungary still offers lower prices, including for services.

To verify if Balaton is indeed more expensive than Western Europe, Noizz.hu checked accommodation prices for a family of four (two children) for a week (5 nights) in Siófok, Croatia’s Split, and France’s Nice, based on Booking.com results.

Siófok at Lake Balaton

In the Hungarian beach paradise:

Average apartment prices for 5 nights range between HUF 180,000 and 220,000 (EUR 461 and 564).
A three-star hotel costs around HUF 200,000 to 250,000 (EUR 512 to 640), while higher-quality hotels range from HUF 300,000 to 700,000 (EUR 768 to 1793).

Split

In Split, prices are generally higher:

Apartments can be found for around HUF 200,000 (EUR 512) for 5 nights, but most tend towards HUF 400,000 (EUR 1,025).
High-end apartments can cost up to HUF 1,000,000 (EUR 2,562).
Hotels are pricier, with most options between HUF 800,000 and 1,000,000 (EUR 2,050 and 2,562), and some exceeding double that amount.

Nice

Budapest Airport new flights summer schedule — Photo: depositphotos.com

In Nice:

Most apartments are priced between HUF 400,000 and 500,000 (EUR 1,025 and 1,281) for 5 nights, providing comfortable accommodation for a family.
Three-star hotels are around HUF 500,000 (EUR 1,281), while four-star luxury hotels start at HUF 900,000 (EUR 2,306) and can easily go up to double that amount.

Travel costs

Travel expenses are also worth considering:

Travelling to Balaton by car, depending on the starting point, costs about HUF 10,000 (EUR 26) round trip.
Driving to Split is more expensive, roughly HUF 70,000 (EUR 179) round trip, but it allows for flexibility with luggage and the possibility of saving on local food costs with a cooler.
Flights to Nice are pricier, with a round trip costing about HUF 40,000 (EUR 103) per person, totalling HUF 160,000 (EUR 410) for a family of four.

Additional costs

Hungarian Kistücsök Étterem (Little Cricket Restaurant) in Balatonszemes — Photo: Facebook/Kistücsök Food & Room

Using Numbeo.com, Noizz.hu compared basic food and restaurant prices among the three cities:

Restaurant prices in Split are 15-20% higher than in Siófok’s Aranypart area.
Alcohol (beer, wine) is about one-third more expensive, but some cold foods, vegetables, and fruits are significantly cheaper in Split compared to Hungary.
Nice is even more costly: restaurant prices are 35-50% higher, alcohol costs 1.5 times more, and all market vegetables and fruits are more expensive than in Hungary.

Conclusion

In summary, it is not cheaper to travel to the Croatian coast or the luxurious Riviera for a week compared to staying in Siófok. Across all cost categories—travel, accommodation, dining, and groceries—staying in Hungary is more economical.

Read also:

Read also: depositphotos.com