Lake Balaton is the largest lake in central Europe, 80 km long and 15 km wide. Its average depth is 3 meters, and the maximum depth is 11 meters. The bottom of the lake is covered with fine velvety sand, which allows the sun’s rays to rapidly warm the water.
Lake Balaton is the second most visited tourist destination in Hungary after Budapest for a good reason.
Clean, warm water, picturesque coastal landscapes, healing springs make this resort popular not only among the residents of the country, but also among tourists from all over Europe.
The beaches of Balaton have been awarded the Blue Flag of the European Union for their ecological cleanliness and developed infrastructure.
Guests have excellent opportunities for a varied and exciting holiday. Everyone will find something to their liking.
Over the years, the Hungarian Lake’s popularity resulted in a good number of spa hotels and resorts along its foreshore.
Untouched countryside, thermal spas, pretty villages, wildlife.
Balaton and the surrounding towns offer a wide range of facilities both in the summer and the winter.
Sailing, surfing, mini-golf, tennis, horse riding, cycling – for those who prefer an active rhythm of life on vacation. The cafes, bars and nightclubs of the South Shore are for the entertainment lovers.
Lake Balaton is the center of the Hungarian sailing activities and also perfect for a yacht charter vacation.
Balaton is especially attractive for families with children. The water of the shallow South Coast warms up quickly and even the smallest tourists can splash carelessly for a long time in complete safety.
Balaton is also interesting for fishing enthusiasts. There are over 25 species of fish in the lake, and a limited catch is allowed upon receipt of a license. The most popular among fishermen is carp fishing.
Balaton and its neighbourhood has got several natural treasures, for example the thermal water of Hévíz, Kőtenger or the Saint György mountain, which offers interesting sights. The cave of Tapolca is a rarity for the visitors, who can take a boat to go around the cave system under the land.
The northern and southern shores of Lake Balaton are very different. The southern shore offers a gentler entrance to the lake, which is great for families with small children. The main resort on the southern side of the lake is Siófok. This town is called the summer night’s capital of Hungary. Festivals, concerts, tours of the best bands replace each other, nightclubs and bars await their guests.
The northern shore of Lake Balaton is completely different. The picturesque hilly landscapes, vineyards, lavender fields, old villages characterize the northern shore. A medieval abbey, palace and park ensembles and architectural monuments from the time of the Habsburg Empire create the atmosphere of an aristocratic riviera. On the northern coast, there are many attractions, including the Festetics castle and Tihany abbey, Tihany village and the naturel reserve, Badacsony wine region. The most popular and famous resorts in the north are Balatonfüred, Tihany, Keszthely and Balatonalmádi. The resorts have an excellent hotel base. Some hotels have equipped beaches and excellent spa facilities. Balatonfüred is a health resort with a unique drinking spring. A world-famous cardiology clinic operates here.
Budapest is located 100 km from the lake. The resorts of Lake Balaton are connected to the Hungarian capital by motorways and railways. There are several ways to get from Budapest Airport to Lake Balaton:
- By Private transfer
- By Train from Budapest Déli Station
- By Bus from Budapest Népliget Bus Station
Liszt Ferenc International Airport
Liszt Ferenc International Airport (Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér) is located from the following big cities by Lake Balaton:
- From Siófok 130 km
- From Balatonfüred 155 km
- From Tihany 160 km
- From Keszthely 215 km
- From Hévíz 220 km
Car Transfer
Car Transfer – it is the most convenient way to get from Budapest Airport to Balaton.
The journey duration depends on your destination town:
- Budapest – Siófok 130 km, 1 h 20 min
- Budapest – Balatonfüred 155 km, 1h 40 min
- Budapest – Tihany 160 km, 2 h
- Budapest – Keszthely 215 km, 2 h 15 min
- Budapest – Hévíz 220 km, 2 h 20 min
Your Welcome driver will be at the pickup location of your choice at the time, what you have indicated. Complimentary waiting time from the airport: 60 minutes. Your complimentary waiting time starts from your selected pickup time. Please make sure that you have taken into account the time you need to reach the meeting point, after arriving at the airport (going through customs, collecting checked-in luggage, etc.)
Private Transfer
Private transfer from Budapest Airport to Siófok :
| Car | | 1-3 pax: 110 EUR |
| Minivan | | 1-4 pax: 130 EUR |
| Van | | 1-8 pax: 140 EUR |
| Business Car | Mercedes E class | 1-3 pax: 260 EUR |
| Business Van | Mercedes V class | 1-6 pax: 350 EUR |
| Premium car | Mercedes S class | 1-3 pax: 360 EUR |
Bus
Intercity buses have become another popular form of transportation to Lake Balaton. The main carrier in Hungary is the Volánbusz Transport Company Ltd. Buses leave from Budapest Népliget Bus Station (Budapest Népliget Buszpályaudvar).
Various direct rides leave throughout the day. Travel time is ranging from 2 to 3 hours.
See http://menetrendek.hu for the schedule.
The price of a bus ticket starts from 2400 forints (about 7 euros).
You can buy your ticket at Népliget bus station or via the carrier’s website – volanbusz.hu/en.
Train
Most travelers prefer to travel from Budapest to Lake Balaton by railways. Most of the trains leave from the South Station (Budapest Déli pályaudvar) to the lake Balaton. Some of the trains leave from the Eastern Station (Keleti pályaudvar).
See https://www.mavcsoport.hu/en for the schedule and tickets.
You can buy your ticket at any railway station in Budapest – at the ticket office or at the machine. We recommend you to buy your tickets on the Hungarian Railways website. One-way train ticket from Budapest to Siófok costs about 2400 forints (about 7 eur). It is quite easy to get to the Déli train station by the red metro line M2, getting out at Déli pályaudvar station. For the East station you can take the same metro line until Keleti pályaudvar station.
MiniBUD to Budapest center and further by bus or by train
MiniBUD shuttle service is a group transportation service at Budapest Airport that offers shuttles for arriving/departing passengers from and to the airport.
For further information, please visit minibud.hu page, or use the mobile app, supported by both iOS and Android.
The shuttles are comfortable buses with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi.
There are Airport Shuttle-Minibus counters at both terminals.
Minibuses leave from the main entrance of the terminals.
We recommend you to book tickets online in advance. You will receive a confirmation email advising you the exact departure location of the shuttle. Upon arrival, please proceed to the miniBUD counter at the airport and you will be directed to your minibus. You may need to wait for other passengers to gather.
As miniBUD is a group transfer, please note that the bus may run at 100% capacity and passengers will be taken to their destination in turns.
By Public Transport
If you are planning to get from Budapest airport to Budapest Déli railway station or Népliget bus station by public transport, it might offer the easiest way.
Public transport of Budapest is fast and convenient, equipped with regular lines (as well as night lines), and accurate timetables. Public transport includes metro, tram, bus, and trolleybus. All transport operates from 4:30 am to 11:00 pm. At each entrance of the metro station, boards with a diagram of the city transport network are installed. The rules of travel are also indicated in English and German. At all bus and tram stops you will find route timetables, and a traffic map at the major stops. You can check bkk.hu for more information about travel fares. Also, you can use the trip planner function to get an idea about timing and route options.
Getting to the Bus station or Metro station
Bus E200 / Metro
Bus runs every 10 minutes.
Working hours: 4.00-23.00.
The price of the ticket is 350 Hungarian forints (about 1 euro).
Tickets can be purchased at ticket machines located right next to the bus stop or from the driver. Tickets purchased on the bus will cost 10 Hungarian forints more.
Bus 200E goes to the stop “M3 Kőbánya-Kispest metro station”.
From this metro station, you can go to the metro station Népliget (Népliget bus station) or to the station Déli pályaudvar (Déli railway station) .
