Located on the southern shore of Lake Balaton, Siófok leads the country’s domestic summer booking list by a wide margin - recording nearly two and a half times as many reservations as Budapest, which placed second.

Other hot destinations include Eger, Balatonfüred, Gyula, Hajdúszoboszló, Szeged, Pécs, Nyíregyháza and Balatonlelle.

Balaton Region Dominates Regional Rankings

The Balaton region overall remains Hungary’s most popular domestic travel area, accounting for one-third of all bookings, according to Szallas.hu’s advance reservation data.

The Northern Great Plain came in second with 15% of bookings, followed by the Southern Great Plain.

“Budapest and the Central Danube region generated nearly 10% of bookings, with Western Transdanubia and Northern Hungary each contributing 8%,” said Lili Kelemen, spokesperson for Szallas.hu.

“The Southern Transdanubia region received 7%, Central Transdanubia 6%, and the Tisza Lake region rounded out the list with 4%.”

Most Travelers Spending Under HUF 170,000

While vacations are still on the agenda, Hungarian travelers appear to be price conscious. Nearly 40% of all summer bookings were valued at under HUF 70,000 (approximately USD 190), while an additional 37% fell between HUF 70,000 and HUF 170,000 (USD 190–460).

This means nearly three-quarters of all bookings were made for less than HUF 170,000.

Mid-range bookings of HUF 170,000–270,000 represented 14% of reservations, while those over HUF 270,000 made up just 10%. Only 4% of total bookings exceeded HUF 370,000.

Apartments remain the top accommodation type, making up more than one-third of all advance reservations. Hotels rank second, followed by guesthouses. One in eight bookings were for bed-and-breakfast stays, while villas, campgrounds and other alternatives made up just 5%.

Short Stays Most Common

Hungarian travelers continue to favor shorter trips, with two-night stays leading the pack at 27% of all bookings. One- and three-night trips tied for second place, each accounting for 21%. Four-night stays made up 14%, while five-night vacations accounted for just 7%.

Week-long trips (six or seven nights combined) represented around 8% of bookings, and extended stays of eight nights or more were rare, totaling about 1%.

Survey Shows Strong Vacation Intent Despite Inflation

In addition to booking data, Szallas.hu conducted a nationwide survey of 1,092 respondents to assess summer vacation intentions.

Two-thirds said they are certain to travel this summer, with 46% planning one domestic trip and 20% planning multiple. Only 10% reported no travel plans, while 19% were still undecided.

“Among those uncertain, the main issue is timing — not whether to travel at all,” said Kelemen. “Compared to last year, when 22% said they didn’t vacation at all, this year could bring a more positive outcome.”

Of those not planning a domestic vacation, most cited financial reasons, while others had already taken time off earlier or were postponing travel to the end of the year.

Among travelers, 52% said rising prices would limit how often they go on vacation this year. Another 32% still plan multiple trips, but with shorter stays. Only 16% said inflation would not influence their plans at all.

Traditional Attractions in High Demand

Classic Hungarian landmarks and wellness spots remain popular. Szallas.hu’s travel program division reported high demand for destinations like Plázs Siófok beach club, Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest, Hungarospa in Hajdúszoboszló, and the castles in Eger and Szigliget.

“Online traffic is also rising for attractions such as the Lillafüred chairlift and the Tapolca Lake Cave,” said Zsolt Szabó, head of the company’s Experiences and Attractions division.

Festival and event searches surged as well, with rapper Majka’s concerts topping the list. Culinary experiences such as Balaton fish and wine tastings and the Pálinka Festival in Gyula also drew strong interest.

Content promoting top beach destinations, including Hungary’s Lupa Beach and various Croatian locations, generated some of the highest search activity in recent weeks.

Outlook: Shorter, Smarter Travel in Hungary

While Hungarian travelers may be adjusting to new economic realities, they are not giving up their vacations - just adapting them.

With shorter stays, budget-conscious bookings, and continued interest in classic summer destinations, the domestic travel sector is expected to remain active throughout the season.
 

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