Baths advice

Hello. I visited the Szechenyi Baths in 2015 and 2022 (https://szechenyibath.com/). It was my favorite experience both times.

When I walked in, there was a desk with all the prices. I wanted a day pass. I said "day pass" in English, and the persons responded immediately; they're used to English speakers, but it's nice to say "szevusz" or "hello" in Hungarian. I paid and was given a wristband. I think I was also given a towel at that point; but they might also be piled in the locker rooms.

Next, there is a turnstyle. On my second visit, the attendant spoke English, and he and I talked for a couple minutes. He seemed to like Americans.

Next, there are stairs down to go to the changing rooms. Men go in one direction, women in another.

I assume the women's changing room is the same as the men's in terms of what to do. In the men's, there was a long hall and maybe 25-40 or more side rooms. The side rooms are where you find the lockers. Each side room had at least 50 lockers in it.

I believe the lock on each locker was programmable. I cannot remember exactly, but somehow the locker indicates whether it's in use or not. It might have shown a red sign to indicate in use and a green sign to indicate it's free. I inputted a code, and the lock unlocked. I believe there was a key that pins onto the swimsuit.

On my 2015 trip, I met a fellow American in my side room.

After changing, locking the locker and taking the key with me, I went out of the side room and into the long hall leading out of the men's locker room. There's a sign indicating where to go to the baths.

The baths are wonderful -- I could have stayed all day on both my trips. There are a series of steam rooms. You can walk from one to another. I think I saw at least 20. Also, there are multiple dry saunas throughout -- probably at least 10 or 15. They vary in heat intensity, some strong, others moderate. Come and go as you please.

Outside in the pool area, there are lap pools for dedicated swimmers. There are also those just to bob around in all day. There are also pools with jetted water in them -- they might be called endless pools. And finally, there are the famous chess boards on the edges of pools. You'll see mostly Hungarians playing chess.

The pools are a mini United Nations. I picked where some people were from -- Spain, Romania, France, the U.S. and everywhere. I saw all colors of the rainbows -- Black, Asian, Latin, Arab and White.

There's food, beer, wine and a patio to sit on. Szechneyi is open in the evening, too.

When you're done, I remember that there was a swim suit wringing machine to wring the water from a suit. It's free.

Check Rick's book for more details.

thank you craig!

To add to the above information (and, to be clear, my experience is nearly 10-years-old, so things might have changed).
-My husband and I rented a changing cabin. We were able to change together and leave our clothes in the cabin. Our wristband locked and unlocked it.
-When we went, I think there was a 3-hour limit, which was plenty.
-The cooler pool for swimming requires a bathing cap. We didn't go into that, so we didn't need caps.
-The twin hot pools outside look the same at first glance, but they are different. One has stone chessboards built in. The other has bubbles that come up from the floor, alternating with jets that come out from the side. So, try them both.

Here are the prices: https://www.szechenyibath.hu/prices. Just an entrance ticke is all you need. You can buy tickets on line too. https://tickets.szechenyibath.hu/list/ I would get the fast track ticket with the private changng room. Saves a little time and the locker rooms are a tad narrow if you are shy, cause you will end up bumping butts with someone. More information here: https://szechenyibath.com/what-shall-i-take-with-me-to-szechenyi-baths-szechenyi-bath-faq/

Go in the morning by walking up Andrassy then after the bath house pop over to https://maps.app.goo.gl/Yh3kd3qhRYJZLSQq8 for lunch and walk home down Városligeti fasor and see a beautiful part of Budapest maybe 1 in 1000 tourist see. Maybe stop here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/f8rhwqdjco2USqEB9

If you enjoy the experience then there are a number of other baths in town, and each is unique.

Do people wear bathrobes and flip flops to the pools themselves? Is there a place by the pools to leave your robe, towel, shoes?

Yes, people wear bathrobes and flipflops throughout the baths. There are hundreds and possibly a thousand chairs placed around the pools. Claim any one as your own. I have not heard that theft is a problem, but store valuables in your locker in the changing room.

mariakmax at Szechneyi it will be rare to see anyone in a bathrobe but no problem if thats what makes you most comfortable. Flip flops on the other hand are common and smart. I generally take a pair of watershoes as my feet dont slip around as much in them. Although in the summer I wear flip flops around town so if thats what i got on its what i use.

When in the water I toss them on the side of the pool like everone esle. Sometimes you get lucky and there is an empty poolside chair available. No one is running off with your flip flops. Clothing and wallets and such stay in the locker for which you have a wrist watch looking magnetic key.

Maybe ths will help a little https://youtu.be/WRgb5dGQlqo?feature=shared

Basically you can do no wrong. Just go, relax, enjoy and dont worry.

thanks again for the info. I asked about the robes bc I was concerned about being cold after exiting the baths! We will be there at the very end of April, it might still be cool.

Today it will be 78F All week it will be in the mid to high 70's. When its cold people just run for the door. LOL
But no one will think you strange for having a robe.

If you enjoy this one and if you are here for a few days, there are others and each is unique. But this is the best to start with

You have excellent information here, but I'll add my 50 forint because Széchenyi is one of our favorite things to do in Budapest. We spent our first few trips saying "why visit a pool when there is so much to do?" We were just uninformed. Visiting the thermal baths is SO Hungarian. You're going to love it.

No need to purchase ahead of time but get there before 9am if you can as the price is slightly lower and so are the crowds. If you travel by metro, once you're at the top of the steps of the metro and turned to face the yellow building, go to the entrances on the left side (aross from the zoo).

You can use your card to purchase your admission. We purchase one regular admission and one cabin admission. You'll get a blue wrist band and a yellow wrist band. This proves your admission and also opens your cabin or locker. (I can never remember which color is for the cabin, but I'm leaning towards yellow).

You'll need to scan you wrist band through a turnstyle and then you're in! If you chose the cabin option, there is a screen on the wall at which you'll scan that (probably yellow) wrist band and it will give you a cabin number. An attendant is there to assist. Walk down the hallway to your cabin. It may or may not be open. If it is locked, you use the wristband to unlock it. The cabin is closet-sized with a bench and hooks. You can change in here and leave all of your belonging. You can share this cabin with everyone in your group, but the price is so reasonable, the other couple could certainly get their own cabin.

Change into your swimwear, flipflops, and bring a towel. Leave personal belongings in the cabin and lock it. Wear your wristband at all times. When you enter the outdoor pool area, you're welcome to place your towel wherever there is an empty chair. You may also take a chair from the stacks that are off to the side and set them up where you'd like. Your towel is your 'reservation' for that seat for as long as you're there. If you want to visit the indoor pools and choose to bring your towel, know that you may lose your lounge chair.

The pools all display the temperature of the water. The outdoor pools will also display the air temperature. Leave your towel at your chair, walk to the edge of the pool, remove your flip flops and enter the water. This is not a splash and shout situation. Everyone is there to relax. It's wise to exit the water once in a while.

The center pool is for lap swimming only. Don't try to test the waters, you'll get yelled at. If you want to swim laps, you must have a swim cap.

Restrooms and showers are near the cabins.

Food is available and everything is touchless pay, so be sure to have a card, not cash. While I use my Amex to pay for entry, that isn't accepted for food purchase.

Indoor pools are just as great. You may see a fitness class exercising in one of the pools. The mineral content is different as is the temperature. Don't be surprised by the smell - that's the magic that will heal all of your aches and restore your energy. There are restrooms and showers on this side too.

The pools, steam rooms, and saunas are all co-ed.

When you're ready to leave, you'll exit through the turnstyles by depositing your wristband into the machine. You'll leave feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. You're going to love it!

Christy, excellent!

May I quote you?

Thanks Christy! Great info!!

mariakmax - you're so welcome! I know you'll love Budapest, please be sure to give us a review.

Mr. É- YOU want to quote ME????? Gasp! Now I feel like I've made it in life. :)

Christy, when are you coming back?

December trip is booked, not sure if we'll squeeze another in before that.

You and TTM at the same time? So much for US / Hungarian relations...

Hello everyone apologies for jumping in on this post. We will be in Hungary in late June 2024. I was thinking of going to Heviz at the bottom of Lake Balaton. I wanted to have some health treatments while there and heard that their mud treatment is very good. I also just read somewhere else that the water is radioactive? so you should only stay in the water for 30 minutes. Any advice appreciated. please.
We will be driving from Croatia to Hungary, spending time mainly in Gyor and Budapest, so are there any other spas you recommend, or should we just go in Budapest?

I've never been to Hevis so please do a trip report. Here is another destination to consider as well: https://thermalhungary.net/item/miskolctapolca-barlangfurdo/

Hello friends, original poster here. Thought I would pop back in now that I am back from my trip to share my experiences in case anyone else reads this thread in the future!
Firstly, Budapest is a lovely city and I really enjoyed my time there!
We arrived on 28 Apr 2024, to unseasonably warm, sunny weather. (Mid to high 70s F)
On Monday 29 Apr, we spent the morning exploring the Jewish quarter, and the Market. The plan was to visit the baths in the afternoon. After lunch, we rode the metro up to the park where the baths are located to find an incredibly long line to enter, Even people who bought tickets online were waiting on a long line for entry. The line was barely moving. We decided to change our plan. We decided to buy tickets on line and return the following day.
We purchased tickets thru the concierge at the hotel. The document we got said "skip the line" so we thought we would breeze right in on the 30th.
We visited the Buda side in the morning and then took the metro back to the baths. There, we were surprised to find that our skip the line tickets didn't mean "skip all lines" -- it simply meant stand on a (shorter) line of the people who bought tickets ahead. If you want to TRULY skip the line, you must pay more for a "fast pass".
We got in after a relatively short wait. (shorter than it had been the previous day) We opted for the private cabin, which was fine. I would describe it as being about the size of a phone booth so you can only have one person in there at a time.
The large lap pool was empty for repairs, That was OK in that we didn't plan to swim laps, but it did affect the beauty of the place. There were absolutely no available chase lounges, chairs or tables. It was very crowded. There was room in the pools but I would have enjoyed it more had we had some more personal space.
All this is likely due to the fine weather and the fact the 1 May is Labor Day, which we didn't know! LOL
Thanks again to all, and I hope this helps anyone else who might be planning a visit.

Thanks for circling back around to report! Makes me wonder if mornings are better - or if it really is just seasonally dependent. Either way, sounds like buying online ahead of time works better than just showing up.

Yes, mornings might be better - just didn't work for us in the grander scheme of our plans. I would say: if your plans are tight/inflexible and you don't want to miss the baths, a fast pass ticket might be the way to go - and be careful to be sure you're buying the right ticket!

I was at Gellert at about noon today. I was surprised at how empty it was. Very, very few people. I was just showing some friends from the States around town and it was just a visit so they could see the inside of the building. They were rightfully impressed. The large outside pool was also closed, but the small outside pool was open. Walked by the Rudas bathhouse on the way up to the Chain Bridge and the rooftop pool was full.

Tourism here is still off from pre-COVID numbers. A bit odd as March started looking good, then April tanked again. May seems a bit quiet so far as well. What I have read about tourism in Europe this year is that the secondary destinations, of which I think Budapest still is, are struggling a bit while the Spain and the "classic" destinations like London, Paris, Rome are doing a bit better than pre-pandemic.

The weather is still near perfect for a holiday and the outside cafes are all in full swing again,

Took my guests to Cork Breakfast & Wine for a quick meal after they got off the plane and before they crashed for the night. Quick becoming a favorite place. But a bad name, because its open 9 am till 11 pm and has a full dinner menu. Simple menu but everything done very well: https://corkbreakfastandwine.choiceqr.com/menu/online-menu And since its Ukrainian owned and staffed, I have an additional reason to enjoy spending money there.

OH I saw that place! A lot of places were closed for dinner the last night we were there so we wound up back at the hotel for dinner. We had meals at Mazel Tov and Cafe Vian that we very much enjoyed

Mazel Tov is fun. Great atmosphere. Its good that you got a further off the usual trail.

Tonight i take them to Mascesz Bistro ..... sort of Hungarian/Jewish in a nice setting.

Thanks for all the great info in this thread! We'll be on the RS Best of Central Europe tour in September & was just discussing with my group about trying the Baths on one of our free afternoons.