Passenger Shipping Season Kicks Off at Lake Balaton: Photo Recap
The passenger shipping season has officially started on Lake Balaton, marking the 179th season for Balatoni Hajózási Ltd (BAHART). This year, the season began with significant discounts and brand-new boats, thanks to a 2023 development.
According to bahart.hu, passenger transport services are now available from five ports with scheduled routes between Siófok and Tihany (Tomaj catamaran), as well as Fonyód and Badacsony (Balaton catamaran). Sightseeing cruises are also offered from Siófok, Badacsony, and Keszthely. The early spring schedule will run until 18 April, with boats operating on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The first catamaran (Tomaj) departed from Fonyód to Badacsony, where it was welcomed with a ceremony featuring local wine tastings and performances by the Badacsony-Tördemic Folk Dance Ensemble. Passengers this season can enjoy new and nostalgic fleet options, as well as family discounts and other promotions.
Additional ports are set to open on 1 May, expanding the network to include Balatonföldvár, Balatonlelle, Balatonboglár, Balatongyörök, Balatonmáriafürdő, Révfülöp, and Szigliget.
Bahart has also decreased family ticket prices on boats, allowing families with one child to purchase such tickets. Children under 14, pensioners, parents raising 3 or more kids, and youth between 14-25 are eligible for discounted tickets. Cyclists also receive discounts as bicycle ticket prices have been reduced.
In the summer, Bahart will offer tourists a variety of boat options including kids’ boats, cruises, sunset boats, chill trips, and party boats. Ferries will run every day with departures every 30 minutes until 17 April, with the last ferry leaving at 7.15 PM. After 18 April, the last ferry will depart at 8.15 PM.
With the start of the passenger shipping season, Lake Balaton is gearing up to welcome visitors with a range of activities and options to explore the lake and its surroundings.
