Day Trips from Budapest to Lake Balaton

1. Balatonfüred: This town used to be the prime resort town on the shores of Lake Balaton for the nobility and high society of Budapest. It has a yacht-filled marina and a sweeping wide promenade. Summer keeps the town busy with festivals, sailing regattas, and other water activities.
2. Siófok: This town is at the top of many Lake Balaton day trip lists simply because it's so easy to get to! It only takes a little under 90 minutes on a direct train from Budapest. Siófok is a popular destination for young people, with many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
3. Tihany: This village is located on the Tihany Peninsula, which is a protected natural area. It has a beautiful abbey, a lavender field, and a panoramic view of the lake.
4. Keszthely: This town is located on the western end of the lake and is home to the Festetics Palace, which is a beautiful baroque palace that now houses a museum.
5. Badacsony: This village is located on the northern shore of the lake and is known for its vineyards and wine cellars. It has a beautiful view of the lake and the surrounding hills.

1. Train: There are daily, direct trains from Budapest Déli to Balatonfüred (the north side hub) and Siófok (the south side hub), with ongoing trains and transfers from there. The journey lasts between 1-2 hours, and one-way tickets start from ~ 7.50 €.
2. Car: Renting a car is another option, but it can be expensive. It's also important to note that there's mostly only a single road that borders the lake, so if there's an accident, you'll be vulnerable to being stuck on the road for an indefinite period.
3. Bus: There are buses that run from Budapest to Balaton, but they can be infrequent and take longer than the train.

Best months for good weather:

• April, May, June, July, August, and September are the best months for good weather in Balaton Lake.
• July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures around 25°C.

Peak tourist season:

• The peak tourist season is from mid-July to the end of August.
• The largest number of tourists visiting Balaton Lake is during July and August.

Low tourist season:

• The months with the lowest number of tourists are January, February, March, and November.
• The months with low numbers of tourists are April, October, and December.
• The number of visitors to Balaton Lake is high in May, June, and September.

Events and festivals:

• Balaton Sound Festival is one of the largest open-air electronic music festivals and is held in July.