Szallas.hu: Lake Balaton was a determining factor among domestic travelers last year

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 01. 29. 11:11

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The popularity of Lake Balaton among domestic travelers continues to be decisive, last year the ranking of settlements was led by Budapest, Siófok and Eger; More than a quarter of the total value of online bookings last year were made by SZÉP card holders – this was revealed in Szallas.hu’s latest analysis of the most important domestic travel trends last year.

According to the announcement sent to MTI by the accommodation booking portal, 22 percent of their bookings for 2025 were for Lake Balaton, 18 percent for Northern Hungary, while Budapest and its surrounding area came in third with 12 percent. The Western Transdanubia and Southern Great Plain regions followed the podium with a significant difference. The Northern Great Plain was in 6th place with 9 percent of bookings, and the Southern Transdanubia region was in 7th place with 8 percent of bookings.

56 percent of last year’s domestic bookings were worth a maximum of 70 thousand forints, and 31 percent were between 70 thousand and 170 thousand forints. The value of 8 percent of the bookings was between 170-270 thousand forints, and less than 5 percent of the bookings reported a value above this.

Last year, almost 27 percent of online bookings were paid with a SZÉP card on the Szallas.hu website.

According to their data, the popularity of one- or two-night stays was outstanding in 2025 as well, accounting for 70 percent of bookings. While 17 percent of bookings were for 3 nights, 8 percent for 4 nights, and 3 percent for 5 nights. The proportion of bookings for 6 nights or longer was only 2 percent of all domestic bookings last year, according to the portal’s summary.

Last year, 31 percent of domestic bookings on the Szallas.hu site were for hotels. Of these, the 4- and 3-star categories were most searched for. Apartments accounted for 29 percent of bookings, and guesthouses for another 21 percent. Bed and breakfast bookings accounted for 13 percent, while other types of accommodation were chosen for 6 percent of bookings.

Every second booking was for 2 people in 2025, the proportion of bookings for three people was 14 percent, and that for four people was 13 percent. The proportion of bookings for five or more people was 10 percent, they explained.

They stated that large spa complexes, historical monuments and attractions offering family programs continued to play a prominent role among domestic tourist attractions. In addition to the Zalakaros Bath, the Hungarospa Hajdúszoboszló and the Sárvár Thermal and Wellness Bath, iconic locations such as the Eger Castle, the Festetics Castle in Keszthely or the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden were also popular.