From Budapest to Lake Balaton in Winter time.
 

Hello All,

My family will go to visit Budapest in the coming Winter. Do you think it is a good time to visit there in winter ?

Also, how to go there ?? By train or by bus?

Hope to hear your suggestion.

Thanks.

Gavin

Hey Gavin... You are definitely coming to Budapest in the winter (which is fine, IMHO) and are asking if you should go to Balaton as part of that trip?

I would venture to say no. Balaton is very much a summer resort ... Not sure - of all the things to do in Hungary - I would suggest Balaton especially during the winter.

We went by train (from the Deli station) and it was easy.

There are lots of day trips and overnights I might rank over this one. What do you like, hope to experience, etc?

Hello Centraleurope,

Thanks for your reply.

This summer holidays, I just spent 4 whole days in Budapest and it was not enough for my family and we decided to go Budapest again the coming Jan or Feb. We will spend 8-9 days this time.
One of the sight-seeing points is Lake Balton (Hungary Sea). Can you tell me more which train station is near to Lake Balton?? Any Restaurant nearby?

Thanks for your suggestions.

Gavin

Thx Gavin.. Got it, makes sense.

I asked a Hungarian friend. He said to go to Balatonfured. He warns the lake is a ghost town (restaurants closed, etc) in the winter. If you are to have a prayer of anything, this is where he recommends (he actually recommends you don't go in the winter, but he says this is the best bet). He says the bus is easier and faster. (the bus station is Nepliget which is integrated into the M3 (blue) line out toward the airport end of the line.

He also said Tihany is a beautiful village on the lake 10km further from Balatonfured and reachable by bus.

Here is a link to the bus schedule: http://www.volanbusz.hu/menetrend.php?menetrend=1190

A town on the bus line which I hear is worth a visit is Székesfehérvár. I hear it is well worth a day trip. It is on my list for this fall. I think this would be viable for winter.

Hello Centraleurope,

Thanks for your advice.
Besides the Lake Balaton, any good place that you recommended.
I have been to Vac in this summer holiday and I know it is a beautiful town.

Thanks again.

Gavin

When I get home in 10 days (I am in the US on leave right now) I plan to go to Eger, Pecs, and Székesfehérvár.

Of those, Székesfehérvár is the easiest day trip. Pecs is the most compelling - but would require an overnight. If you email me off my blog site - I be posting info as I get it done and I can give you further ideas. So glad you enjoyed Budapest, Gavin. It is a fantastic city.

www.centraleuropebeyondprague.com

You could also do Bratislava as a day trip.

Hello Centraleurope,

Thanks.

Have a Nice Journey.

Gavin

Is Hevis (hot mineral waters) open in the winter??Don't know if I spelled it properly. It was great in the late fall!! Pecs is interesting with a tile/pottery factory museum Zolnay is made there. Nice leather goods also. Train from Budapest was comfortable. Sloppy, slushy streets in Budapest but awesome hot chocolate in the winter. But it is the Paris of the East!!

Thx Galvin... we'll be in touch. I am visiting my daughter in Boulder, Colorado (not the best place to be right now!!).

Amer_can - I am going to investigate the springs in the fall/winter - I'll check that one out.. thanks for the tip.

I also don't recommend Lake Balaton in winter. But, we did it in July 2012 with a wonderful driver, Alajos Pulai. If you are interested, I can dig up his information. We liked having transportation control and he knew wonderful places to visit & eat.

I loved Pecs: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/pecs/

and also Szeged: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/.../super-szeged/

Although both are worth at least an overnight. Godollo is a half day trip.