Sármellék International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (SOB)

Sármellék Airport, also known as Hévíz-Balaton, serves the western zone of Lake Balaton, Central Europe's largest lake, approximately 10 km from Hévíz and about 15 km from Keszthely.

It is the most convenient access point to Lake Hévíz, Europe's largest naturally heated bathing lake, and to the western shore of Lake Balaton.

Content verified on 03/09/2026

Official source: www.flybalaton.com/?null&lang=en

How to get to Sármellék International Airport

Hévíz is approximately 10 km from the airport, Keszthely approximately 15 km: the transfer takes approximately 15 minutes for Hévíz, 20 minutes for Keszthely.

By Car

By car, you reach Hévíz in approximately 15 minutes; Keszthely in approximately 20 minutes.

By Train

No railway station exists at the airport.

By Bus

There is no bus service specifically dedicated to airport connections.

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Tips The airport has strongly seasonal connections, concentrated in the summer months: always verify operation during your travel period. Lake Hévíz thermal lake is bathing-friendly year-round thanks to its natural temperature.

Average travel time to SOB

TrainNot available

Shuttle busNot a dedicated service

Taxi / Private hire20-30 minutes (by destination)

Parking near Sármellék International Airport

The parking area is compact and reachable on foot within a few minutes from the terminal.

The parking lot is unsupervised, with affordable rates.

How to get to Hévíz from SOB

By Train

To arrive by train requires a connection, as there is no direct link.

By Bus

A dedicated bus service for flights is not available.

By Taxi

Taxis are generally available upon flight arrivals; approximately 20-25 euro equivalents in forints for Hévíz, 25-30 euro for Keszthely.

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Car rental at Sármellék International Airport

Not all car rental companies are represented: only some have a desk here.

A driver's license, passport, and credit card in the renter's name are required for the security deposit.

Hotels near Sármellék International Airport

The small Sármellék airport lives mainly on seasonal charter flights, from long-standing links with Germany to the new summer route to Antalya launched in 2026, and serves those heading to Hévíz or Zalakaros more than Budapest or Lake Balaton in the strict sense. There is no direct public transport connection at all: the only options are a taxi, a transfer booked in advance or a rental car, with 13 km to Hévíz and 14 km to Zalakaros. Anyone coming for the thermal baths can therefore choose the town based on the type of treatment: the thermal lake of Hévíz for outdoor bathing all year round, the covered baths of Zalakaros for all-inclusive hotel stays.

Nearby town

Hévíz and the thermal lake

13 km from the airport, 15-20 minutes by taxi or rental car; no bus connects the airport directly to Hévíz.

Best for: For those who want to bathe in the Hévíz thermal lake, the largest biologically active natural thermal lake in the world, swimmable all year round.

Pros

The lake stays swimmable even in winter, with water that never drops below 22°C and reaches 35-38°C in summer
Several hotels in the town have direct or covered access to the thermal basin, with no need to travel

Cons

From the airport you always need a taxi or your own car, with no budget alternatives
The town lives on thermal tourism: little evening life outside the hotels

Recommended hotels

Amira Boutique Hotel Hévíz Wellness & Spa Boutique hotel with 12 rooms about 1 km from the centre of Hévíz, with an outdoor pool and an oriental-style hot tub fed with thermal water all year round. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Nearby town

Zalakaros

14 km from the airport, 15-20 minutes by taxi or rental car; here too, no direct bus from the airport.

Best for: For those looking for an all-inclusive stay with direct access to the thermal baths, without leaving the property for meals or the pool.

Pros

Covered, direct access to the Zalakaros thermal baths, useful in the colder months
All-inclusive package with meals and basic drinks included in the room price

Cons

Zalakaros is a small thermal town, with little to do beyond the baths
It's not on Lake Balaton: reaching the lake's beach needs another 30-40 minutes by car

Recommended hotels

Park Inn by Radisson Zalakaros Hotel & Spa - All inclusive In the centre of Zalakaros, with heated, covered access to the Zalakaros thermal baths right next to the property; all-inclusive package with indoor and outdoor pools, sauna and salt rooms. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport serves the western shore of Lake Balaton, with strong seasonality driven by thermal and summer beach tourism.

Shopping & Duty Free

A small duty-free area features typical Hungarian products.

Lounges & relaxation

No business lounge is available at this terminal.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

The terminal guarantees Wi-Fi coverage in its public areas.

Families & Children

Families traveling together find basic assistance in the boarding areas.

Terminal guide

The terminal is compact in size, but traffic increases noticeably during the summer months.

It is advisable to arrive at the airport 1.5 hours before departure.

Map of Sármellék International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is Lake Hévíz?

Europe's largest natural thermal lake suitable for bathing, with a constant water temperature allowing swimming year-round, even in winter.

Q. Is Sármellék airport open all year round?

Connections are heavily seasonal, concentrated in the summer months: always check the operational status for the period of your trip.

Q. Do you pay in euros at Sármellék airport?

No, Hungary has not adopted the euro: the official currency remains the forint (HUF), although credit cards are widely accepted at tourist facilities around Lake Balaton and Hévíz.