Major city · Hungary
Tapolca
Spend a half‑day in Tapolca to see the Cave Lake and town centre; add a night if you want a relaxed stay by the pond.
Tapolca is a small lakeside town on the north‑west shore of Lake Balaton. Its main draw is the 3‑km underground Cave Lake, plus a pleasant historic centre with a pond, a few museums and easy access to nearby villages. One half‑day covers the key sights; a night lets you enjoy the pond and local eateries without rushing.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- HUF
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, limited services)
- Airports
- BUD · SOB
- Nights
- 0.5
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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 Tapolca107 ▾
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 Tapolca, 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
- SafetyTapolca is generally safe; petty theft is rare.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets often charge HUF 200–400 (≈ US$1–2); carry coins.Hungary-wide
- Emergency numbers107 police · 104 ambulance · 105 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close Mondays.Hungary-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBUD Budapest Ferenc Liszt International (About 2 h 15 min by car or bus via M7 and road 77; check bus schedules.).
- Getting aroundRoad 77 connects Tapolca to Veszprém (50 min) and Keszthely (30 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café300–500 Ft
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus ride300–500 Ft
- Budget bedSelf‑catering apartment (up to 4), a night, per roomFt 10,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomFt 9,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomFt 15,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Ft 3,500 · Mid Ft 5,500 · High Ft 9,000
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 h 15 min by car or bus via M7 and road 77; check bus schedules.) · SOB Hévíz–Balaton Airport (About 40 min by car; seasonal flights only — check.)
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
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest May (9 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tapolca: 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)
7 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)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 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)
8 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
Road 77 connects Tapolca to Veszprém (50 min) and Keszthely (30 min). Local buses run hourly to nearby villages (Gyulakeszi, Hegyesd) until about 20:00. Walking is best in the town centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gyulakeszi
goDoor to door: ≈15 min
Bus from Tapolca, about 10 min, hourly until 20:00Bus from Tapolca, about 10 min, hourly until 8:00 PM
Csobánc Hill and castle ruins nearby.
Hegyesd
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Bus, about 8 km (5 mi) NE, 20 min rideBus, about 5 mi (8 km) NE, 20 min ride
13th‑century castle ruins and stone bridge.
Révfülöp
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h
Train via Balatonfüred line, about 27 km (17 mi) SW, 45 minTrain via Balatonfüred line, about 17 mi (27 km) SW, 45 min
Seasonal boat service; check summer timetable.
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.
Hotel Gabriella
Pondside, basic rooms, good for one night
Hunguest Hotel Pelion
Central, family‑friendly
Tópart apartman
Apartment style, self‑catering
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
- 2,500–4,000 Ft
- Mid
- 4,000–6,500 Ft
- High
- 6,500+ Ft
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × Ft 9,000 | Ft 9,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Ft 5,500 | Ft 11,000 |
| Cave Lake boat tour (30 min)2 × Ft 3,000 | Ft 6,000 |
| Local bus day pass2 × Ft 800 | Ft 1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Ft 2,760 |
| Trip total≈ Ft 15,180 per person per day, bed included | Ft 30,360≈ US$90 |
2026 estimate in HUF. Cave Lake boat tour and bus passes included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | 300–500 Ft |
| Main‑dish (goulash, fish, etc.) | 1,200–2,000 Ft |
| Cave Lake boat ticket | 2,500–3,500 Ft |
| Local bus ride | 300–500 Ft |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Train service is infrequent; check schedules if you rely on rail.
- Cave Lake tours have seasonal opening times; verify before planning.
- Summer can be busy; book accommodation early.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 107
- Ambulance
- 104
- Fire
- 105
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
TapolcaTapolca
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police107
- Ambulance104
- Fire105
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Road 77 bus Tapolca → Gyulakeszi: ≈300 Ft, 10 min (check)
- Cave Lake boat tour: ≈2 500 Ft per person (check)
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 Tapolca. 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: Jun–Aug · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, limited services) · 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
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add night‑stay option for pond‑side relaxation.
- Link to nearby Balaton towns (Keszthely, Balatonfüred).
Sources
Ask about Tapolca
Loading…
Was this useful?