Major city · Hungary
Zalakaros
Go for 2 nights if you want the thermal bath and a quiet base; skip it as a first Hungary trip unless you are already at Lake Balaton.
Zalakaros is a small spa town of about 1,800 people in the Lake Balaton region, built around a thermal spring found in 1962. There is no train station and no local transport, so you come for the bath, the waterpark and the quiet, not for a city break. Two nights covers it; one night is enough if you only want the pools.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- HUF
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (many pools and restaurants shut or on short hours)
- Airports
- BUD · ZAG
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Hungary ↗Hungary is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Hungary ↗The currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF), not the euro: decline dynamic currency conversion at cards and ATMs.
- Hungary ↗Motorways need an electronic vignette (e-matrica) bought before you drive on them.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Zalakaros112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Zalakaros, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF, Ft).Hungary-wide
- SIM or eSIMYettel, Telekom and One (Vodafone) sell prepaid SIMs; passport needed.Hungary-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe.Hungary-wide
- TippingRestaurant without service charge: 10–15%, said as you pay.Hungary-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Hungary-wide
- SafetyZalakaros is a quiet spa town and feels safe day and night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets often charge HUF 200–400 (≈ US$1–2); carry coins.Hungary-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies (EU) · 104 ambulance · 107 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close Mondays.Hungary-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBUD Budapest Ferenc Liszt International (About 2.5–3 h by road; no direct rail link to Zalakaros).
- Getting aroundThere is no local bus or taxi service in Zalakaros; the town is small enough to walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeFt 500–900
- Sit-down mealMain course in a local restaurantFt 1,900–2,990
- Beerdraught / shop canFt 700–1,100Ft 300–500
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekFt 2,000–4,000
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomFt 6,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomFt 13,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomFt 22,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Ft 12,000 · Mid Ft 20,000 · High Ft 35,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BUD Budapest Ferenc Liszt International (About 2.5–3 h by road; no direct rail link to Zalakaros) · ZAG Zagreb Franjo Tuđman (About 2.5 h by road; useful for some cross-border routes)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest May (9 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Zalakaros: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
6 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
There is no local bus or taxi service in Zalakaros; the town is small enough to walk. Regional Volánbusz services link Zalakaros with Zalakomár, Nagykanizsa and Keszthely. Bikes can be rented at the Bicycle Center on Gyógyfürdő tér.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kányavári Island and Kis-Balaton
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus or car towards Balatonmagyaród, then walk
Free nature reserve with a 2 km (1.2 mi) trail and two observation towers over the wetland.Free nature reserve with a 1.2 mi (2 km) trail and two observation towers over the wetland.
Buffalo Reserve Kápolnapuszta
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus or car towards Zalakomár
Water buffalo herd; adult ticket Ft 800.
Hévíz thermal lake
goDoor to door: About 1–1.25 h
Bus or car via Keszthely
Europe's largest thermal lake; a full half-day.
Keszthely and Lake Balaton
goDoor to door: About 1–1.25 h
Bus towards Keszthely
Festetics Palace and the Balaton shore; good rainy-day option.
Zobori Adventure Park
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Car or bus towards Zalaszabar
Weekends only, 10:00–17:00; check before you go.Weekends only, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; check before you go.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Gyógyfürdő tér and Termál út
The spa, bus station, market and most restaurants are here; walk to the bath in 5–10 min.
Üdülő sor
Hotel strip south of the centre, 10–15 min walk to the bath entrance.
Gesztenye and Szőlő utca
Guesthouses and apartments, 10–15 min walk to the spa; quiet at night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Ft 12,000–18,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Ft 18,000–28,000 excl. bed
- High
- Ft 28,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 2 nights × Ft 13,000 | Ft 26,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × Ft 20,000 | Ft 80,000 |
| Thermal bath adult day ticket2 × Ft 3,600 | Ft 7,200 |
| Bicycle rental, one day2 × Ft 2,700 | Ft 5,400 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Ft 2,500 | Ft 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Ft 12,400 |
| Trip total≈ Ft 34,000 per person per day, bed included | Ft 136,000≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in forint; travel to Zalakaros excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | Ft 500–900 |
| Pizza | Ft 1,150–1,590 |
| Main course in a local restaurant | Ft 1,900–2,990 |
| Beer: draught / shop can | Ft 700–1,100 / Ft 300–500 |
| Thermal bath adult day ticket | Ft 3,600 |
| Bus Zalakomár → Zalakaros | Ft 370 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | Ft 2,000–4,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No train station: you arrive by bus from Zalakomár or Nagykanizsa, or by car.
- No local taxi service; arrange a ride or walk.
- Many restaurants and pools run May–Oct only: check hours before you book a winter stay.
- The thermal bath closes in the late afternoon (around 18:00): plan your day around it.The thermal bath closes in the late afternoon (around 6:00 PM): plan your day around it.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies (EU)
- 112
- Ambulance
- 104
- Police
- 107
- Fire
- 105
Pocket card
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ZalakarosZalakaros
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Erre a címre, kéremTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies (EU)112
- Ambulance104
- Police107
- Fire105
Embassy
No embassies in Zalakaros; most are in Budapest. The US, UK, Canadian, Australian and Irish missions are all in Budapest (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Budapest Népliget → Zalakaros: about Ft 4,015, 2.5 h
- Train Budapest → Zalakomár: about Ft 3,660, then bus to Zalakaros
- Bus Nagykanizsa → Zalakaros: about Ft 370, 25 min
Say or show
- Jó napot — Hello (yoh NAH-pot)
- Köszönöm — Thank you (KUR-sur-num)
- Mennyibe kerül? — How much is it? (MEN-nyi-beh KEH-rool)
- Lehet kártyával fizetni? — Can I pay by card? (LEH-het KAR-tyaa-val FEE-zet-ni)
- Hol van a fürdő? — Where is the bath? (hol van a FUR-dur)
- A számlát, kérem — The bill, please (a SAAM-laat KEH-rem)
Tourinform Zalakaros, Gyógyfürdő tér 10, is the local information point; hours vary by season.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Zalakaros. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (many pools and restaurants shut or on short hours) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BUD: last bus and rail options to Zalakaros, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Gyógyfürdő tér, Termál út, Üdülő sor.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (thermal bath, Thermal Lake, Buffalo Reserve, Kányavári Island) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter-shutdown fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialZalakaros official site
- officialTourinform Zalakaros
- officialVolánbusz (regional buses)
- officialMÁV-Start (rail)
- officialThermal Bath of Zalakaros
- officialBalaton-felvidéki National Park (Kis-Balaton)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Zalakaros, revision 5322473 (CC BY-SA 4.0)