The 4 Best Lake Balaton Day Trips from Budapest

1.Lake Balaton Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 108 reviews · 9.5 hours · from $128Our pick

Spend 9.5 hours exploring Lake Balaton by air-conditioned bus, nostalgia train, and boat. Visit Balatonfüred, stroll its promenade, cruise the lake, then see Tihany Abbey and peninsula views. Guides including Elizabeth, Clara, and Yolanda have led this multilingual tour, which suits first-time visitors who want an easy day beyond Budapest.

“Great trip. English speaking guide was very knowledgeable but difficult to understand much of the time.”

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2.Lake Balaton Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 107 reviews · 9.5 hours · from $128

Spend 9.5 hours from Budapest exploring Hungary’s largest lake. Walk Balatonfüred’s old resort avenues and marina, take a one-hour boat cruise, then visit Tihany Peninsula and Abbey Hill. Live guides speak English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. Lunch is not included, and swimming or lavender viewing may not fit the schedule.

“El guía muy buena gente, y el hecho de saber varios idiomas, gana mucho puntos…solo que 90€ por persona me parece un poco caro, sin embargo, el país es caro en general”

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3.Private tour from Budapest to a top hidden treasure region of Europe: Lake Balaton

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $265Top rated

Spend about eight hours exploring Lake Balaton in a private vehicle with guides such as Attila or Balazs. From lakeside views and Balatonfüred villas to Tihany’s lavender treats, Benedictine Abbey, and a ferry crossing, this is a flexible countryside escape with hotel or port pickup.

“Although it was a long day, our guide/driver was super and stopped for coffee and cake at a wonderful coffee shop on the way to the lake. Lake Balaton was quite beautiful and a suggestion would be to take some towels and bathing suits so that you can swim. We didn't but should have. Our guide also took us to "The Echo" restaurant which was stunning with good food. A very enjoyable experience.”

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4.Lake Balaton & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 35 reviews · 9 hours · from $100Best value

Travel from Budapest to Lake Balaton in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Visit Tihany Abbey, stroll Balatonfüred’s famous promenade, enjoy free time for lunch, and take a boat ride. The day costs $100, with lunch and the abbey entrance charged separately.

“Escursione completa al Lago Balaton, la suora ha spiegato molte cose interessanti; luogo tranquillo, dorata e tappe giuste”

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