From spring, the new catamaran named “Tomaj” will operate on the busiest Fonyód-Badacsony route.Continue reading
The 179th cruise-boating season on Lake Balaton will start on Friday March 28, the Balaton Shipping Company (BAHART) announced on its website.
Travelling between the towns and cities will once again be available on board the ferries and cruise boats. Passengers will also be able to enjoy new features this season, the company revealed.
The early spring timetable is valid until April 18. During this period, passenger ships will operate on the Siófok-Tihany and Fonyód-Badacsony routes on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
On these days of the week you can also choose to board a cruise boat in the ports of Siófok, Badacsony, and Keszthely.
During the cruises, passengers can admire both the beauty of Lake Balaton and the sights along the shore.
Photo: MTI/Vasvári Tamás
Cruise departure times:
The company notes that
the Balaton ferry timetable has changed from March 14.
From Friday, departures are now every half hour not only on weekends but also on weekdays: from Szántód between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and from Tihany between 7:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., with a journey time of eight minutes. However, in case of heavy traffic, the frequency is increased.
Ferries on Lake Balaton. Photo: MTI/Vasvári Tamás
Last year, over 2.3 million passengers traveled on BAHART’s routes, 178,000 more than last year’s record-breaking traffic. The Fonyód-Badacsony route saw the highest number of passengers, 250,000, while the Balatonboglár-Révfülöp route saw the largest increase of almost 40 percent. The new catamaran called “Tomaj” carried the most passengers. BAHART’s cruise boats carried 200,000 passengers, 36 percent more than a year earlier.
The Tomaj catamaran. Photo: MTI/Vasvári Tamás
Last season started with the inauguration of four new vessels. The government’s decision to increase the capital with HUF 6 billion (EUR 15 million) for the company enabled an investment of over HUF 5 billion (EUR 12.5 million), resulting in two new ferries and two new catamarans entering service at the end of March last year. Two refurbished cruise ships were also inaugurated in May 2024.
Previously, BAHART announced significant discounts for the new season: ferry travel is now free of charge since January 1, for under-14s, pensioners, over-65s, and large families. In addition, from now on, youths aged 14-25 and public servants are offered a 50% discount.
Via bahart.hu, Featured image: MTI/Bodnár Boglárka