The forint has strengthened markedly against the euro in recent months, prompting many to assume that Croatia’s coastline once again offers better value than Hungary’s Lake Balaton this summer. A new study, however, suggests the picture is far less clear-cut: on accommodation costs alone, Balaton remains the cheaper destination. That is, before accounting for the additional expenses associated with a trip to the Adriatic that simply do not arise at the Hungarian lake.
New research: Adriatic or Balaton?
A 24-page analysis by the University of Pannonia and the Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association compared prices at hundreds of hotels around Lake Balaton and across Croatia. The study examined five-night summer stays for couples and families of four, using data from Booking.com and, in the case of Balaton, offers listed on Szallas.hu.
The findings indicate that Balaton is cheaper across every category examined, with the gap often substantial. For couples, a five-night stay in a three-star hotel with breakfast averages 301,000 forints at Balaton, compared with nearly 423,000 forints on the Croatian coast. In four-star hotels, the average difference exceeds 200,000 forints, while in five-star establishments it surpasses 330,000 forints. Even with half-board included, Balaton remains the less expensive option in every category. (EUR/HUF = 354)
For families, the disparity is even more pronounced. According to the research, a family of four staying in a five-star Croatian hotel with breakfast pays nearly two and a half times as much as at a comparable hotel on Lake Balaton. With half-board, Croatian stays cost on average 473,000 forints more in four-star hotels and over 858,000 forints more in five-star properties.
Yet many still choose the Adriatic
Tourism executives interviewed by Portfolio note that exchange-rate movements have indeed improved Croatia’s competitiveness. As the country uses the euro, the stronger forint means the same services now cost fewer forints than a year ago.
Leaders at Danubius Hotels and Hunguest agree, however, that holiday decisions cannot be based on exchange rates alone. The total cost of a trip is shaped not only by accommodation but also by motorway tolls, fuel, meals, local services and even travel time. Hunguest’s chief executive argues that Lake Balaton and the Croatian coast are not necessarily rivals: for many Hungarian families, they represent two distinct types of holiday, which can even complement each other within the same year.
Danubius’s chief executive adds that Balaton’s competitiveness is now driven less by proximity and more by service quality, family-friendly offerings and value for money. Hungarian families, whether by lake or sea, are seeking the same things: modern infrastructure, quality gastronomy, family-oriented services and reliable value.
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Rise in last-minute bookings
Experts also point to a growing trend towards last-minute bookings. Most hotels use dynamic pricing, meaning rates fluctuate continuously with demand. According to Danubius, a family of four can secure a one-week, half-board stay in a four-star hotel at Lake Balaton in June for around 700,000 forints (approximately €1,795), while the same holiday in the July–August peak season may cost 40–70 per cent more.
Which should you choose?
The answer, the study suggests, depends on what is being compared. On a like-for-like basis of hotel categories, Lake Balaton retains a clear price advantage, often by several hundred thousand forints. Yet when the full holiday experience is taken into account — including the impact of a stronger forint, proximity to the sea and the allure of a Mediterranean atmosphere — the decision ultimately rests on individual preferences and priorities.
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