Getting to Lake Balaton, Hungary

Getting There and Away

Written by Chloe Davies, Keith Roberts

07/09/2025

Captivating sunset view across Lake Balaton, emphasizing serene water and scenic horizon.

Molnár Tamás Photography™, Pexels

Major transport hubs around Lake Balaton include railway and bus stations in prominent towns such as Siófok on the southern shore and Balatonfüred on the northern shore. Budapest serves as the primary gateway for travelers arriving internationally.

By Train:

Direct train services to Lake Balaton are available from Budapest's Déli and Keleti railway stations. Travel to southern towns like Siófok typically takes 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours, with one-way fares generally ranging from 2,000 to 2,500 HUF (approximately €5-7). For northern destinations such as Balatonfüred, the journey is about 1 hour 39 minutes, with tickets starting from around €23.64. During peak seasons, enhanced services include more frequent trains, night trains between Keszthely and Budapest on specific days, and increased capacity for bicycles.

By Bus:

Buses regularly depart from Budapest's Népliget Bus Terminal, offering connections to various lakeside towns. A journey to Siófok typically lasts 1 hour 25 minutes to 2 hours, with fares around 2,375 HUF (approximately €7). Buses to Balatonfüred take about 2 hours, costing around 2,725 HUF (approximately €8). Direct buses also connect Budapest to Hévíz, near the western end of the lake, in just over 2 hours for about 2,200 HUF (approximately €6).

By Car:

Renting a car offers the greatest flexibility for exploring Lake Balaton. The drive from Budapest to the lake's southern shore, primarily via the M7 highway, generally takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Daily car rental rates in the Lake Balaton area average approximately €60-65.

Local Transport and Ferries:

For travel around Lake Balaton, a 'Balaton24' ticket is available for 1090 HUF, providing 24 hours of unlimited use on local trains and buses, including the Balatonfenyves narrow-gauge railway. Ferry services also operate, connecting various towns across the lake.

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