Main Navigation Season Kicks Off on Lake Balaton

The 176th main shipping season of the Balaton Shipping Company (Bahart) has begun this Saturday. The company awaits in 17 ports those who wish to sail and take excursions with renovated ships, renewed and extended timetable.

According to a company statement sent to the state news agency MTI, the 58-day peak passenger season will see the launch of 12 scheduled ships on 12 routes. This year, there will be direct routes from Siófok to Tihany, the Balatonföldvár-Tihany route has been extended to Balatonfüred, an important transfer point has been established at Balatonföldvár and the port of Tihanyrév has been reintroduced to the passenger routes to better connect the south and north coasts.

In addition to scheduled routes, the company also operates cruises and nostalgia boats, with 2,225 departures altogether in the high season. Magic boats and party boats depart from nine ports. A unique party boat, launched in partnership with Siófok Plaza, will add to the range of program boats, with five departures during the season, the statement said.

They also inform that on the renewed schedule boats, the selection of buffets has been expanded with specialties from Balaton winemakers and breweries.

According to the information, small children can travel free of charge on the boat trips between the settlements with the KAJLA passport. From this year onwards, boat tickets can also be purchased online.

During the high season, the Balaton ferry runs from Szántódrév from 6.40 to 23.20 and from Tihanyrév from 7.00 to 23.40 every 40 minutes, and more frequently in case of heavy traffic, according to Bahart.