Great Synagogue Budapest Tickets

I just went this morning. It’s easy to buy on line but I warn you, it is very expensive and I was very disappointed in the guide for the English-speaking tour. He spoke in simplistic terms as if he was talking to a group of 3rd graders, and he spoke at us, not engaging at all. Much of the information was, at best, a stretch. I’m glad I saw the interior but I have a lot of mixed feelings about the experience. It was busy in the morning although they separated us into groups by language. If you have a private guide, you might have a more satisfying experience. If you’re here now, I believe the synagogue is closed for the next 2 days for Shavuot and is closed on Saturday as well.

We visited this past Saturday. Agree with paulesue that it was expensive, and the experience itself was not great. Way too crowded, and not well done. We found this to be true at most of the Budapest sites we visited, so maybe that's just how it is there. Sorry I can't give you better/more encouraging information!

I’ve been twice: once with buying a ticket at the door and once buying it online ahead of time. If you are certain you want to go, it doesn’t hurt to buy it ahead and save a few minutes. I don’t think you have to choose a time (and maybe not even the date).

I agree that the guided part isn’t that great - I had one who was better than the other, but it’s loud inside with all the different languages at the same time and therefore hard to hear. Stand next to the guide. What I liked was that we got a quick overview and could then go back on our own and spend as much time as we wanted. I thought the upstairs museum was pretty impactful.

I think I would go whenever it works best with the rest of your schedule - I don’t know that any particular time is better like it is for some other places. It feels expensive when you compare it to other Budapest entrances but (for me) not when I compare it other costs (like one meal for one person).

I did this tour, and it was superb. The guide was Benjamin, and he was incredibly knowledgeable and spoke so eloquently about the Jewish experience in Budapest. It's not just the great synagogue; other sights and a walk through the Jewish quarter are included.

https://www.getyourguide.com/en-au/budapest-l29/budapest-grand-half-day-jewish-heritage-tour-t23736/

The Dohany utca Synagogue is not a government funded historical asset; it is privately owned Jewish property and house of worship. I presume that they have set the cost of the tickets to maximize their revenue from the business. The tickets are 14.500 Ft which is about $47; which is indeed rather costly. The ticket is only for entrance. The tour is free. Yes, I know, that’s a game, but it’s in their marketing. Once in you can wander all day and never do the tour. It is a substantial and interesting piece of architecture, but it is first a practicing house of worship and not a museum.

For a more in-depth understanding of the holocaust in Budapest, you should visit the Holocaust Memorial Center which is first a museum and does a good job at it intended task and costs about $13 a ticket and is funded in part by the government.

The other high dollar ticket in town is the Hungarian Parliament. Those tickets are under $25 for EU and under $50 for non-EU. There is some history on that. At one time the rate for Hungarians to see their own parliament was a token cost. But the EU says that’s not legal and that everyone in the EU must be treated equally. So, to keep the price where the locals can afford it they have had to jack up the price on outsiders to where it is. Despite that, the venue sells out as fast as tickets go on sale. So, is it really too expensive? Arguments in both directions have merit. Not my country. I am not taking a position on it.

“Way too crowded and not well done. We found this to be true at most of the Budapest sites we visited …” That is way too generalized and lacking detail to comment on or to be helpful to anyone visiting now. But I am not arguing your perspective.

TTM, yes, the food. But after my trip to Rome a few weeks ago, I learned to appreciate how much I have here, that is free. Other than the Synagogue and the Parliament and the Opera ($18 to $35) I can’t think of what else costs? Did you know the Romans are even charging for the Pantheon, the VE II thing. The Trevi Fountain and the Forum now?

There are more things that cost (House of Terror, Hospital in the Rock, the art museums, etc.), but the Synagogue and the Parliament are probably the two highest.

And by no means did I mean I think food is expensive. I meant we don’t think anything about a $30 meal and in the big picture, the Synagogue is not terribly pricy. Just more than most other entrances.

TTM We sort of agree. Just didn’t communicate well. So much of what I enjoy here is visual and they haven’t figured out how to steal and charge for that yet. How many tourists actually go to the House of Terror or the Hospital, even if it were free. Neither is the Pantheon. Use to be you couldn’t walk across Rome without standing next to Trevi or walking through the forum. Now you gotta pay to experience any part of the city. Here the local versions of that is free; Fisherman’s Bastion, Chain Bridge, Margrit Island, the Corso in Pest, Andrassy ut, Heroes Square, City Park .... what Bourdain called Architectural Porn. All free.

And I agreed with you about the food, I just meant it goes beyond that. If on day one you paid for the Parliament and the Synagogue and got a 4-star hotel, you would spend about the same as the Pantheon and the Forum and a 3-star hotel in Rome. Throw in the food and Budapest just got cheaper.

But I am more worried about the blanket statement that its all crowded and poorly done. I hope that person comes back and explains. If you come on a Thursday and stayed and visit District VII for three days you are going home with one impression (crowded and drunk and expensive). If you come on a Tuesday and visit District VI for three days you are going home with a different impression. If the tourist traps are not well done, okay, I can live with that. If doing Budapest for what it is best at is not well done that would be disappointing. But I don’t know how you do a time warp to 19th century Europe poorly?

The Synagogue is very expensive but given its historical value, tragic history and the necessary security measures, I don’t blame them. As for the Parliament, looks impressive from the outside but that is all you need. Built in 1896, and for most of the time since then, sorry to say, virtually nothing could be more historically irrelevant than the Hungarian Parliament. Hopefully based on recent developments that may change, but not enough IMO to justify paying a stiff fee to see the inside. Budapest is a wonderful city for many reasons but its strengths aren’t its indoor museums, churches, etc. as honestly those are subpar compared to many other European cities of similar size.

"way too generalized and lacking detail to comment on or to be helpful to anyone visiting -" Well I wouldn't detail every site we visited in Budapest because I doubt anyone wants to read it. However, as one example, our visit to Parliament was horrendous. We were herded through like cattle with headphones. The crowds felt like moving through the Hall of Maps in the Vatican Museum, only with not much to show for it. Not given enough time to appreciate what might have been worth seeing. Too expensive for what it was. Other sites had large tour buses lined up with massive groups being led around by a guide with a flag. No different than Rome or parts of Paris I'm sure, but the juice wasn't worth the squeeze for us in Budapest.

I am biased, so I won’t defend anything. Just observations and questions that might help others.

Well, I wouldn't detail every site we visited in Budapest because I
doubt anyone wants to read it.

ATXGrandma but that’s exactly what we do here so that others can benefit of our experiences. It really is one of the principal purposes of the forum.

We were herded through like cattle with headphones. The crowds felt
like moving through the Hall of Maps in the Vatican Museum, only with
not much to show for it. Not given enough time to appreciate what
might have been worth seeing. Too expensive for what it was.

Your comments are not uncommon and they show up in many of the reviews. And yet it continues to sell out. That’s the age-old problem. Maybe they should charge $100 a ticket and do half the number each day?

Other sites had large tour buses lined up with massive groups being
led around by a guide with a flag.

I am certain you saw a tour bus in front of the Opera, where else?

Slate

… virtually nothing could be more historically irrelevant than the
Hungarian Parliament. Hopefully based on recent developments that may
change …

The Austro-Hungarian Empire is relevant European history if you are interested in European history. If you are into architecture of the period, it’s worth the visit. For those that have been in the opera, the parliament is very similar, but larger. Current politics? Slate, if you want to be more accurate in your comments you might want to learn more about the viewpoints of the electorate.

Budapest is a wonderful city for many reasons but its strengths aren’t
its indoor museums, churches, etc.

We agree on that one. You come here for the environment more so than for the museums.

Well I wouldn't detail every site we visited in Budapest because I doubt anyone wants to read it.

ATXGrandma, this made me laugh this morning. Not at you - at this community. Because it’s exactly our kind of nerdiness. Check out the category for Trip Reports. People write very lengthy and detailed reports and people read them - like me over my morning coffee!

Were you with a tour group? Or on your own? I ask because I happened in at the Inner-City Mother Church at the same time as a Viking Cruise group. Fortunately I could just sit down and wait for them to finish and it didn’t take long - they were herded in and out in about 10 minutes. When I went to the Parliament in 2022, group size was limited by ticket sales and everyone had an audio guide. While the tour was timed, I didn’t feel rushed. That may be different now.

Your experience and reporting is valuable! Trip Reports have helped me many times over the years. So absolutely DO come back and write a report! If you were on a pre-cruise tour, it could help someone decide to pay for that or see Budapest on their own. If you were on your own, it could help people decide on time of year to visit and what to see/avoid.

Just to add to the discussion on sites visited …we also did the Hungarian Parliament the day before yesterday. I bought the tickets a while ago on line and, when we arrived for the tour, we were given pre-recorded audio tapes that were synchronized to the rooms we entered. We were assigned groups but the arrival time in our tickets and walked through with the same group (though we weren’t part of a specific group), led by a guard. Though we didn’t linger at any spot for too long, I did feel we had enough time at each location to take photos and admire the interior, which I did enjoy. No photos are allowed in the main hall where the Crown Jewels are kept but we certainly had enough time to look and listen. It’s a relatively short tour but I enjoyed this visit more than the one to the Dohány Synagogue (which was more expensive and the tour/shpiel was shorter).

Putting the visit to the synagogue in context, we had recently visited Prague and I found the tour through the Jewish quarter there MUCH more meaningful and much more educational. And I’m Jewish and, though not at all religious, was still very interested in the history. The best thing - my apartment is opposite the Dohány synagogue, and we have an amazing view!

I woukd be a bit careful of the link in the last post. The Jewish district tour in Prague is very good. I could be mistaken but I dont believe any of the synagogues in the Prague tour are privately held houses of worship.

To compare a district tour of government buildings in Prague to Budapest, you would need to do the Budapest district tour, not an entrance ticket to one synagogue. The district tour which is 3 private , functioning, synagogues is about 3 hours in length and is only offered on Sunday. The unfortunate inconvenience of having a prosperous, living, growing, self determining Jewish population.

Again. For the history, go to the Holocaust Memorial Center. Or hire a guide, or just look below your feet as you walk past the doors to the buildings. Best yet, go to service.

Since I am such a poor communicator, I will be direct on 2 points.

First, I have done more interesting things than the Dohany utca synagogue tour. If the subject moves you I am sorry you didn't know about the Holocaust Memorial Center. Time betterment. For architecture and an interesting window on Hungarian culture the synagogue is hard to beat. These Jews wanted to assimilate so badly they built a church. Didnt work. They were still murdered. The mental impact of antisemitism being absolute is hard to get past and the Dohany utca Synagogue / Church is a remarkable reminder. History says it could change tomorrow but, today, there is arguably no better place in Europe to be Jewish than Budapest. I dont know how they express that in a 30 minute tour and thats a shame because the lesson here is hope. Tge Prague message is easier to convey. You have to get out and move within it and read a little to understand.

What was the second thing???? Oh, I have no issue with any opinions I have seen so far. Its hard to be wrong on subjects of personal perspective.

Budapest is a wonderful city for many reasons but its strengths aren’t its indoor museums, churches, etc. as honestly those are subpar compared to many other European cities of similar size.

@Slate, did you see the inside of St. Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church, the Parliament and the Museum of Fine Arts?

Marco, I am trying to remain unbiased.

You forgot the Liszt Academy.

Okay, here is the deal for me. I am an architect and I studied the best of this stuff. But I had great examples who taught that art has limits if you dont consider the historical context and human connection. If a tourist isn't familiar with those connections he will be less impressed. Hungary not being mainstream Western history and not taught in US schools isn't going to talk too loudly to most Americans. Up above we have someone that judges 1000 years of Hungarian history reflected in the parliament by 16 years of Orban and still got it wrong. So, in this forum, I agree, there is better. Among differently educated, I have a different point of view.

My comments about the Prague Jewish quarter tour was really to put in context my feelings about the experiences. Yes, Mr É, you’re right, the synagogues in Prague aren’t privately owned. And your point about building a “church” is valid. However, I really was trying to make the point that the “free” tour itself was not much to speak of. I understand very well about the grandness of the synagogue and how the Jews had been fully assimilated; but the person who spoke to us was far too patronizing and not providing any depth to the history. It was a shame because it deserved a lot more. And, after paying more than $90 for the 2 of us, I expected more, too.

I don’t mind spending the money for something that enriches my understanding; this did not.

paulesue, The first point i made was to agree with you.

I just used the opportunity to throw in some history i find fascinating. You, me and 4 others on the forum understand the church reference. Now maybe a few will research it and that would be a good thing. That and understanding the Hungarian market value of a goat.

I visited the Dohany utca synagogue almost 10 years ago. Crowds and prices have increased significantly since then, and my memory has no doubt diminished. I toured the synagogue as part of a tour of the Jewish Quarter that included the Holocaust Memorial Center and other sights. I remember that our guide, who identified as a member of the Budapest Jewish community, did not accompany us inside the synagogue but did talk to us about it before and after, including telling some of the history of divisions within the community over its building, and some about the restoration after WWII.. I remember thinking that just walking through the synagogue without the larger tour context would have been a different and less meaningful experience. My understanding is that keeping the synagogue open year round depends on international donations and ticket fees from visitors.