Day Trips from Budapest
Lake Balaton Road Trip – North and South Shore by Car
Lake Balaton by car from Budapest Airport: Siófok is about 137 km; a Siófok–Keszthely–Tihany–Balatonfüred loop is about 446 km.
Lake Balaton is Central Europe's largest lake and Hungary's summer playground. The south shore has shallow water and busy beach towns like Siófok; the north shore has hills, vineyards, the Tihany peninsula and quieter villages.
From Budapest Airport (BUD) Siófok is about 137 km on the M7 — roughly 1 hour 35 minutes without traffic. A loop around the lake — Siófok, Keszthely, Tihany, Balatonfüred and back — is about 446 km, so we suggest a 3-day rental (600 km).
The route
From the airport take the M0 ring road to the M7 motorway towards Siófok. The Hungarian motorway vignette is included in the rental. On summer weekends the M7 gets very busy — leave early.
From central Budapest the lake loop is about 391 km.
A loop around the lake
- Siófok — the biggest resort on the south shore, with long beaches and a lively promenade.
- Keszthely — at the western end of the lake, home of the Festetics Palace.
- Tihany — the peninsula on the north shore with its Benedictine Abbey and views over the water.
- Balatonfüred — a spa town with a lakeside promenade, close to Tihany.
A car ferry crosses between Szántód on the south shore and Tihany — a shortcut between the two shores. Timetables change with the season; check them on the day. Without the ferry, drive round via the eastern or western end of the lake.
Opening hours of the palace, the abbey and the beaches vary by season — check the official websites before you go.
Summer festivals 2027
- Valley of Arts (Művészetek Völgye) — 23 July – 1 August 2027 in Kapolcs and nearby villages, inland from the north shore (muveszetekvolgye.hu).
- STRAND Festival — 19–21 August 2027 in Zamárdi on the south shore (strandfesztival.com).
Hungary has zero tolerance for alcohol at the wheel. On festival nights, choose a designated driver who drinks nothing, or stay close by.
Which car
The Kia Sportage has room for beach bags, a cool box and a family. For a group of friends, the Mercedes V-Class takes up to 8 people.
Watch the km allowance
Each rental day includes 200 km, added up over the rental. Siófok and back is about 274 km — that needs 2 days (400 km). The full lake loop is about 446 km — 3 days (600 km) cover it. Above the allowance, extra km cost HUF 100 per km.
FAQ
How far is Lake Balaton from Budapest Airport?
Siófok, on the south shore, is about 137 km on the M7 — roughly 1 hour 35 minutes without traffic.
How many rental days for a Balaton road trip?
For a Siófok round trip, 2 days (400 km). For a loop around the whole lake, 3 days (600 km). Airport pickup costs a HUF 5,000 surcharge. Kia Sportage from HUF 29,500 / day.
Related guides
More day trips: Day Trips from Budapest
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