Major city · Hungary
Balatonszemes
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Balatonszemes; add a night for beach sunset and local dining.
Balatonszemes is a small lakeside town on Balaton. Its main sights – church, post museum and Latinovits memorial – fit in a few hours; a night lets you enjoy the lake promenade and cheap eateries.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- HUF
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- avoid Dec–Feb
- Airport
- BUD
- Nights
- 1
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 Balatonszemes107 ▾
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 Balatonszemes, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe; stay aware of occasional power cuts and summer air quality.
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.
- AirportBUD Budapest Ferenc Liszt International.
- Getting aroundTown centre is walkable; intra‑city bus runs hourly; taxis cheap – agree price before boarding; car hire available for ring‑road access.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeHUF 300–500 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across townHUF 1,500–2,200 (≈ US$5–7)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Latinovits)HUF 700 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedCamping pitch, a night, per personFt 1,500
- Mid-range bed2‑star hotel double, a night, per roomFt 12,000
- High-end bed2‑star hotel double, a night, per roomFt 18,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Ft 2,500 · Mid Ft 4,500 · High Ft 8,000
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
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°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
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
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Balatonszemes: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°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
Town centre is walkable; intra‑city bus runs hourly; taxis cheap – agree price before boarding; car hire available for ring‑road access.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Keszthely
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min
Train from Balatonszemes to Keszthely, about 30 min
Historic town with Tihany peninsula nearby.
Balatonfüred
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h
Train via Balatonfüred, about 45 min
Spa town, promenade and lake views.
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.
Hattyú camping
Near the lake, basic facilities, good for budget travellers.
Local hotels near centre
Several 2‑star options within walking distance.
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
- HUF 2,500–4,000 (≈ US$8–12) excl. bed
- Mid
- HUF 4,500–7,000 (≈ US$14–25) excl. bed
- High
- HUF 8,000 (≈ US$25)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| 2‑star hotel double1 × 1 night × Ft 12,000 | Ft 12,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Ft 4,500 | Ft 9,000 |
| Train Balatonszemes → Keszthely round‑trip2 × Ft 1,800 · check | Ft 3,600 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × Ft 4,500 · check | Ft 9,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Ft 3,360 |
| Trip total≈ Ft 18,480 per person per day, bed included | Ft 36,960≈ US$110 |
2026 estimate in HUF; flights and rail passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | HUF 300–500 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Lunch (local restaurant) | HUF 1,200–2,500 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Taxi across town | HUF 1,500–2,200 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Museum entry (Latinovits) | HUF 700 (≈ US$3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Power outages occur almost daily – carry a charger.
- Air pollution can be noticeable in summer – consider masks if sensitive.
- Train schedules change – check the latest timetable before travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 107
- Ambulance
- 104
- Fire
- 105
Pocket card
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BalatonszemesBalatonszemes
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Erre a címre, kéremTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police107
- Ambulance104
- Fire105
Embassy
US consulate in Budapest; other embassies also in Budapest.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Balatonszemes → Keszthely: about HUF 1,200 (≈ US$4) one‑way, 30 min (check)
- Taxi across town: HUF 1,500–2,200 (≈ US$5–7), negotiate price
Say or show
- Elnézést — Excuse me / Sorry (elnézést)
- Köszönöm — Thank you (köszönöm)
- Mennyibe kerül? — How much is it? (mennyibe kerül?)
- Hol van a mosdó? — Where is the toilet? (hol van a mosdó?)
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 Balatonszemes. 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 Dec–Feb · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Balatonszemes for sunset beach walk.
- Combine with a day‑trip to Keszthely or Balatonfüred.
Sources
Ask about Balatonszemes
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