Comparing prices: Is Balaton pricier than Split and Nice?
For years, there has been a common belief that prices at Lake Balaton are on par with those of Western and Southern European seaside destinations. As the summer season approaches and Hungary’s inflation rates have decreased in the latter half of 2023, a recent comparison by Noizz.hu sought to examine the current accommodation prices for a week-long stay at Lake Balaton against various international beach destinations.
Despite claims that Hungarian prices have exceeded those of Western Europe, Csaba Baldauf, Director of Kolping Hotel Spa & Family Resort, refuted this notion to Mindmegette.hu. According to Baldauf, data indicates that Hungary still offers lower prices, including for services, when compared to Italian or Croatian resorts.
To ascertain the accuracy of such claims, Noizz.hu investigated accommodation prices for a family of four for a week in Siófok, Croatia’s Split, and France’s Nice, based on Booking.com results.
In Siófok at Lake Balaton:
– Average apartment prices for 5 nights range between HUF 180,000 and 220,000 (EUR 461 and 564).
– Three-star hotels cost 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).
In Split:
– 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.
In Nice:
– Most apartments are priced between HUF 400,000 and 500,000 (EUR 1,025 and 1,281) for 5 nights.
– 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 go up to double that amount.
Travel costs to consider:
– Round trip by car to Balaton costs about HUF 10,000 (EUR 26).
– Driving to Split costs roughly HUF 70,000 (EUR 179) round trip.
– Flights to Nice cost about HUF 40,000 (EUR 103) per person round trip.
In terms of additional costs, dining and groceries in Split and Nice were found to be more expensive than in Siófok.
In conclusion, despite popular beliefs, it is actually more affordable to stay in Siófok at Lake Balaton compared to traveling to the Croatian coast or the luxurious Riviera for a week. From travel expenses to accommodation, dining, and groceries, Hungary proves to be the more economical option for a family vacation.
