Summer passenger shipping season kicks off at Lake Balaton with more routes and discounts
Lake Balaton’s peak boating season officially sets sail on 5 July, with BAHART (Balatoni Hajózási Plc.) rolling out new routes, a denser schedule, and enticing discounts to make the Hungarian Sea even more appealing for vacationers.
The company aims to make transport around the lake more flexible and comfortable in response to increasing traveller demand, while expanding its service to more towns, allowing more passengers to enjoy all that the lake has to offer, Turizmus.com reports.
Even more departures and new connections
The number of boat departures has significantly increased along the busiest routes. For example, there are now ten daily trips between Siófok and Balatonfüred. Service has also expanded between Balatonföldvár and Tihany. Evening trips are now available between Fonyód and Badacsony as well.
One of this year’s highlights is the introduction of new direct triangle routes connecting Révfülöp, Balatonboglár, and Balatonlelle, allowing travellers to move between these destinations without transfers. On the northern shore, two daily departures now connect Balatonalmádi and Alsóörs with Tihany and Balatonfüred.
Ferry schedules have also been extended: departures run every 30 minutes between Szántódrév (7:00 AM–11:30 PM) and Tihanyrév (7:15 AM–11:45 PM), with more frequent service during peak times, making it easier for drivers and cyclists to cross the lake.
Discounts for families and cyclists
As in previous years, BAHART is offering several discounts for the summer season. Families are a key focus: children aged 6–11 who present a Kajla Passport can ride scheduled boats free of charge, providing welcome savings for vacationing families.
Cyclists can also take advantage of discounted tickets as demand for bike transport continues to rise. Free travel options have been expanded for passengers with disabilities.
Program boats and unique experiences
In addition to scheduled routes, the number of entertainment-focused program boats has increased for the high season. For example, Wednesday evening “chill” cruises depart from Siófok, while Fridays bring colourful circus-themed children’s boats from Balatonfüred and Fonyód.
These cruises offer a unique experience for fans of the Hungarian Sea, transforming boat travel from mere transport into memorable entertainment on the water.
What’s next for boating at Lake Balaton?
According to data from BAHART, passenger numbers at the start of summer 2025 were already impressive: more than 157,000 people travelled on scheduled boats by the end of June, over 51,000 took sightseeing cruises, and ferry services transported more than half a million passengers.
Bicycle transport also rose by 5% compared to last year. These figures confirm that boating remains a popular and important mode of transportation—as well as a tourist attraction—around the lake.
The 2025 boating season doesn’t just promise more sailings, but also improved services and discounts, securing the Hungarian Sea’s status as one of the summer’s best-loved getaways.
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