Hungarian Parliament Building high ticket costs

There are interesting things to see in the building, but my husband and I weren’t overly impressed with the tour especially since the building really isn’t used much for anything. And because it was government rather than a palace or the like, it doesn’t have multiple rooms to see or lots of artwork. The grand staircase is nice as is the ceiling at the top of the staircase,but not really worth the new price to me. I don’t remember any type of Budapest pass.

I don’t know about a pass but I am sure you can Google it.

As to whether it is worth the cost, only you can say. I enjoyed it but went before the price increased - I love this sort of thing. If it helps to put it into perspective, I recently paid $118, nearly four times the cost of Parliament, for a 90 minute tour of Buckingham Palace (twice the time) - so effectively double the price. Some people would wince at that and some would think it a bargain. If you aren’t interested, skip it and see something else you ARE interested in. Don’t go just because someone said you should.

Since the cost of my activities and sights while I'm traveling are tiny in comparison to the cost of my flight and hotels, (almost) everything is worth it to me. That's what I paid all that money to get there for.

But if that's not the type of thing that excites you, then it sounds like the cost may not be worth it.

It’s not worth the money, and it is not a “must see.” Note that there are guards and a tour escort but no tour guide, it’s done by a recorded audio guide.

Honestly you could probably get on one of the half-priced German or French tours and just change the audio guide player to English. But it really isn’t even worth it at half the price.

I no longer remember what we paid but I did find it worthwhile to see parts of the inside given the outside gets so much attention. As a non European I don’t begrudge paying fees for tours and access as I don’t pay taxes there. I feel the same way about visiting churches; I always leave a donation as I appreciate the opportunity to see the architecture and art and I’m not a parishioner or member of a religion to which I contribute. Upkeep and staffing cost money.

EDIT:

Tom (below) is correct. The Eiffel Tower is $3 cheaper, but the Empire State Building tickets ($44) or the Tower of London ($43) London zparliament ($55)

Claire, you got class.

EDIT

I don’t remember any type of Budapest pass.

There is a Budapest Pass and it comes in three flavors and none cover the Parliament. https://www.budapestinfo.hu/en/budapest-card

The Eiffel Tower is not $80, it's less than the Hungarian Parliament. Also the Tower of London is 25 times the attraction that the Hungarian Parliament is.

I think the main objection of the OP is the 2 tier pricing, very third worldish (Mexico, India, Peru, etc), although it happens in other places in Europe too (e.g. student pricing in Italy). I don't recall ever seeing 2-tiered pricing in the US or Canada.

You are correct. I googled quickly, maybe i hit a reseller. the Eiffel is $31.00 at the current exchange.

Given that they were selling out most of the tours last year and that inflation here has been 10 to 15% the past few years, maybe they made a good judgment in raising the prices. Now they seem to be in the same ball park as similar venues in Europe. But time will tell if it was a good decision. Its capitalism. Its worth what people will pay.

If you just dont like the place, I get it. But that has nothing to do with price. You might hate it at $5. By the way, there is day each year that is free.

Trip Advisor gives it a 4.5 on 42,420 reviews

Excellent 30,057
Very good 9,713

Average 2,011

Poor 378
Terrible 266

And for the two tired pricing. I think its the right thing to do. This is a very poor country; and yes, they rely on wealthy tourists to help make ends meet while ensuring that the locals can afford to participate and see the culture of their nation.

The highest paying countries in 2022 were Iceland (€73,642),
Luxembourg (€72,529), Switzerland (€67,605), Belgium (€63,758) and
Denmark (€59,405), whereas the lowest payers were Greece (€24,067),
Slovakia (€24,337), Hungary (€26,376), Portugal (€29,540) and Czech
Republic (€30,967).

https://www.euronews.com/business/2023/11/20/how-do-average-salaries-compare-across-europe#:~:text=The%20highest%20paying%20countries%20in,Czech%20Republic%20(%E2%82%AC30%2C967).

It’s not worth the money, and it is not a “must see.”

“Must sees” are a ridiculous concept, in my very personal opinion. I firmly believe nothing is a “must see” for everyone. Something I really want to see might be of absolutely no interest to someone else. There is plenty of information floating around to give an idea of what anything is like, so that we can make our decisions based on our own interests. Plenty of people who are disappointed in something simply didn’t bother to do any research on what to expect. Or they took the word of a stranger on the internet (like me) whom they know nothing about.

Then you add in the concept of time available - no one has enough time to see everything, so choices have to be made. We should be ok with making our choices. If the way you make your choices is by depending on what people say, then enjoy whatever you wind up seeing or doing and don’t regret what you didn’t.

I am firmly in the camp of CW and Claire. I have a really hard time with the concept of thinking I have wasted $35 (or that it is a ridiculous amount of money) when I spent anywhere from $2,500-$5,000 for a 2-3 week trip. Especially in a place where $35 is about the max you would pay for any site. Time, on the other hand….. if you have 2 days and are making a decision about the allocation of 2 valuable hours, you have to decide what interests YOU. You will not see all the cool things in Budapest in 2 days, no matter how much money you spend or don’t spend.

So if someone has to ask if something is a must-see and already thinks it’s a disgusting amount of money, they really have already answered their own question. You won’t enjoy it, so don’t do it. Nothing is a must-see.

Sorry for the rant. I guess I haven’t had enough coffee yet.

“ Now they seem to be in the same ball park as similar venues in Europe.”

I’m curious what you consider to be similar venues to the Hungarian Parliament building. I didn’t check all Parliamentary buildings in Europe, but I know that the Reichstag with it’s famous dome, can be visited for free. The Dutch parliament can be visited for free too. If you want to follow a 60- minute guided tour that will cost you €6. The European Parliament in Brussels can also be visited completely free of charge.

Probably not the kind of tourist a country like Hungary needs. You don't pay taxes in the Country, you are probably paid several multiples of an average Hungarian salary, can afford to fly across the Atlantic, then take a Viking Cruise (which is far from cheap), yet you resent contributing to the economy of the country you are visiting.
There is no obligation on you to visit Parliament. If you don't like the cost then visit somewhere else in the City which is "cheaper".

In my books differential pricing is entirely reasonable, given the disparity in the standard of living.

If the price is "too high" people will stop visiting and the price will come down. If they don't stop visiting then the price is right.

isn31c you sound like some sort of American style capitalist!!!
.

G-d Bless you isn31c

You start charging brown eyed tourists $17 admission and blue eyed tourists $34 and you are going to get complaints.

FWIW: Just based on my Hungarian Parliament tour experience I would have a hard time ever taking a Viking cruise.

CORRECTION: The Metropolitan Museum in NY does give special discounts to students from nearby states, and like the Chicago Art institute they have discounts or special days for locals.

Nothing wrong with complaints. One of many factors that shape informed decision making.

FWIW: Just based on my Hungarian Parliament tour experience I would
have a hard time ever taking a Viking cruise.

Huh?

And more relevant comments here:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g274887-i263-k14620945-Hungarian_Parliament_Building_high_cost_of_tickets_for_tour-Budapest_Central_Hungary.html

In our group were people off a Viking cruise and not my crowd. Loud and a bit cringe, air of entitlement.

Jeremy in TripAdvisor is wrong, the chamber seen was abandoned decades ago and is not in use. Otherwise the comments are pretty accurate.

It takes an experienced tourist to have the maturity to walk away from a top-rated attraction and say no thanks. Personally I did not research it and having just seen the German one wanted to see this one, without thinking. The German tour is free, guided, and 25 times more satisfying.

Every site displaces things unseen, and there were ultimately better choices for me.

I'll be honest. I enjoyed it because I am an architect, knew the history of the crown and just wanted to connect. Know. some stories about the building during WWII and have an unnatural fascination with the "Empire" and i knew it would be visually stunning, So, almost any price would be worth it. I guess that makes me an inexperienced tourist.

But for those who don't have a particular interest or knowledge in the history .... there are some really great bars where time can be better spent.

Same with the NY Cafe. I get a special feeling knowing the history of the prople who once sat there. From artist to poet to author to Manhatten Project scientist. Otherwise, it's just expensive coffee in one of the most visually beautiful spaces of the period.

So, not knowing what motivates people I try and reserve personal criticism.

I guess that makes me an inexperienced tourist.

I was referring to the OP’s comment in TA about pursuing a discount via some private arrangement and not just moving on to a museum or something else. You were right up front. If OP is disgusted by the 2 tier pricing it probably won’t be enjoyable.

I’d be curious about how the explosion of river cruising has impacted the HP tour experience. Thousands of people daily cruise right by it, piquing interest to go inside, perhaps causing demand that pushes up prices and turns the HP tour into rather an assembly line experience.

It’s another topic, but their are specific sights in Europe that have become so crowded and expensive it’s literally too late to ever enjoy them again, barring another pandemic.

The river cruisers show up the night prior, maybe 2 nights prior. Never leave Distict V. No impact on the good stuff. The Parliament only has a fixed number of tickets so doesn't matter how many tourists.

This is such a large city with endless blocks of undeveloped good architecture and experience that when things start to get a bit crowded another zone is renovated. But I suspect the "must see" monuments are at about 75% capacity. Good thing there are so many hidden treasures.

I'm hoping for a 50% tourist tax.

I find it interesting that the OP has responded to TA replies, but not to this thread. Have we not said what (s)he wanted to hear?

I don't know if it makes me an experienced or inexperienced tourist, but I simply would not and do not consult TA to determine where I was/am going to visit in any given location. Bluntly there are other sources I would utilise.

Thanks for the comments. I agree that I don't like being charged double the already inflated price just because I'm an American but when in Rome....If it was just me I'd probably bite the bullet and pay the admission charge so I could say I'd been there but money is tight for one of my 3 friends going on the cruise so I want her to believe the things I've chosen for us to see provides good value, since I'm the trip planner of the group. I guess I'll just supply my friends with all the facts and pictures of the Parliament building and let them decide if they want to spend the money or not.

I don't like being charged double the already inflated price just
because I'm an American

Actually I suspect there is a lot about Hungary you may not enjoy. Maybe not a great choice. The restaurants nearest the American Hotels charge more too. I suspect that they overcharge Americans as a way to subsidize the local population.

I was once told it was a filthy city but they hide the fact from the tourists by cleaning it every morning.

Yes Mr. E, an important distinction. We are being charged more because we are not EU or country specific citizens. European taxpayers absorb the costs of non European travellers descending on their attractions, be it museums, churches or monuments ; entrance fees are one way to recoup some of those costs and likely don’t cover the full cost. I always remember that my ability to travel to another country is a privilege, not a right, and that in various instances I need to pay for that privilege.

Claire and the only reason the distinction is EU vs not EU is that the EU insists that all members be charged the same. Otherwise I suspect it would be one price for Hungarians and one for everyone else. And yes, we are incredibly blessed to have the financial ability to do what we do. Nothing my host country asks of me disgusts me. I know I can always stay home.

Throwing ideas out (not an expert), and noting that Budapest has expensive attractions, the 2 big baths and the Dohany Synagogue and the night boat trips are all in the $30 range (only mentioning if this is going to be a recurring issue for your friend, incidentally German companies run boats to the same places as Viking for 30-50% less, but maybe lower quality).

Ride a circular route around the river on the trams, both sides up one bank down the other, at night to admire the lit up monuments. The swooping gulls over the parliament, thousands of them, like big glowing golden bats playing quidditch, is something to see. A highlight but not in any guidebook.

Lukacs Baths are close and half the price of the big 2 and with fewer tourists. Not as big but maybe more authentic experience.

OP, in your situation, I advocate skipping it - with no negative implications. There is plenty to see in Budapest and you will have a great time without it.

My absolute favorite thing is to get a transportation pass and ride the trams all up and down the river both sides - as far as they go, get off, take another or just go back the way you came. I love to do it in the daytime and again as it is getting dark. At night you get amazing views and it’s cheap. Check out Hero’s Square for only the cost of your pass. Walk the beautiful mansions on Andrassey ut. Walk Vaci utca and go in the Great Market Hall. You can also go up to the castle area for the cost of your pass and for about $3, go on up the Fisherman’s Bastion walkway for views from the other side of the river. Visit the Shoes on the Danube for free down in front of Parliament. Look at the bullet holes still left from the 1956 massacre on the walls opposite the Parliament building. All for the inexpensive cost of a pass. (which is cheaper for residents)

There are plenty of other museums and sites available, depending upon whether your interest is historical or architectural or even Jewish, and how long you will be there.

I have to circle back around to your use of the word “disgusted”. That is pretty strong and fairly judgemental-sounding. In some ways you sound like you are not a newbie to European travel. But I have encountered many sites across Europe where the cost is less (or free) for an EU citizen - or the senior discount is only for EU citizens - or where the local transportation for seniors is free - for only EU members. So that makes me wonder if perhaps you have just not encountered this in your travels. But it’s not unusual.

It IS a cost much higher than most other places to visit in Budapest. Tickets used to sell out really fast, maybe still do. So like any enterprise, I am sure that is why prices went up for visitors. But when you are responsible for the financial outlay for others, I know that brings a different mindset. I am responsible for this numerous times on my travel. So, as I said, given the need to watch costs for a member of your group, you could skip and have a wonderful full trip. But you are bound to encounter (and hopefully will, or you might as well stay home) things that are done and thought about differently than here. You will have a far better trip with an open mind.

Mr. E, yes the EU rules. Some of my perspective on that is informed by extended family in Norway. Not part of the EU but participate in any number of ways (both giving and receiving) because they ‘have’ to. Years ago my Norwegian father commented that Norway opted to not join the EU because Norwegians ‘don’t like to be told what to do’! Not sure how that turned out for them …..:)

TexasTravelmom: I agree that using the word "disgusted" does sound pretty judgemental. "Frustrated" would be more accurate. I can choose to pay the going fee or not. I know there will be lots of wonderful things to do and see in Budapest.

As Tom_MN points out, Budapest tourist attractions can be expensive. Sometimes as much or more than similar things in more developed countries. It's obvious what they are doing.

TexTravelMom, how much are you having to shill out for that long public transportation ride?

TTM and are are on the same page with the trams.

My feeling dollar for dollar is that a night at the opera, even if over $50, is a better splurge, a better value, than the parliament tour.

LOL, Mr. É, it will cost me $18 for the 15 day pass or $7 for the 24 hr travel card. One of my favorite delights!

Tom, I am COMPLETELY on board with the value versus cost for the opera - or a ballet! I have paid an average of $50-$60 per ticket (really good seats) for 2 great operas and one amazing ballet over my last 3 trips. As soon as I know when I am going, I start looking at my options!

Edit: OP, I understand. And you are right - I always feel better knowing I don’t HAVE to do anything. And that I can’t do everything.

Instead of $60 at the Opera that consumes an entire evening in town, go to the Hungarian House of Music where a lot is free.

OP my apologies for the sarcasm. TexasTravelMom has spent a lot of time in Budapest and I suspect she can help you plan out a great couple of days at very reasonable costs. Enjoy your cruise.

OP, Mister É also knows I ignore his sarcasm, so he’s safe….. lol.

Actually I meant you are a good source for first time budget trip advice.

I thought I was the only person on this forum who rode the local transit like that, just for the views. Not in Budapest I hasten to add, but other cities. As is known here my experiences of Budapest are confined to changing trains at Keleti station- normally to or from the night train to Paris, connecting from various surrounding countries- sometimes even coming the wrong way from Austria to join the Paris train at Budapest just to ensure a longer nights sleep and my Goulash in the Hungarian restaurant car.

I don't know how much of Manchester's tram system TTM has covered, but the Eccles line (as far as Media City) and the new Trafford Park line are great for that.

isn31c, I haven’t been far in Manchester yet - just Picadilly to probably Oxford Street on the free bus, for the John Rylands Library. But in May I plan to rectify that shortage somewhat. :)

isn31, we join you in being local transit riders, just to do it. In most places we have visited, we get a multi day transit pass and one of our favourite activities is to ride a bus or tram to the last stop and back again. We enjoy getting out of the central areas to see ‘real’ neighbourhoods. Plus it is a handy break for tired feet:)

It would have been Oxford Road on the free bus. There may be an Oxford Street in Manchester somewhere, but not served by the free bus.

Arg…. Yep, Oxford Road. I should know better than to type on autopilot (because we can be sure I didn’t really remember the stop and had to look it up and STILL made a mistake). With plans to go to the IWM North, I should be on as far as Media City - and will hopefully take the other line just for fun.

Claire, that’s a great plan - I don’t always do it, but I always enjoy it a lot when I do. Better than a HoHo bus for sure. 🤣

So the recommendation is skip the Parliament and go straight to Oxford?

Stop at Christ Church Cathedral. I have a relative there, someplace inside, in a stone box. Been there for about 400 years I think. Say howdy for me.

I can 100% support TexasTravelMom's suggestions for what to see - and love of riding the trams, and loooove of the Opera House.

Kim, I should show up when you plan your next trip there. :) I think we might have fun.

kcowley1 and Tom_MN, this will really set you off. They raised the prices to the baths 8 January. By as much as 10% depending on which day and which bath.

Worse from your point of view is that any Budapest resident can get a discount card for 5.000 a year and save as much as 8.000 on admission every time they go. But Budapest residents only .... and I happen to be a .....

I don't have a problem with the two-tier cost. It's no different from the hefty accommodations taxes charged in many tourist locales in the US. And last year, the new and excellent African American Museum in Charleston was half price for SC residents.

I think its incredibly responsible. Especially in a poor country.

Another example is the cost of the tours in the Opera. 9.000 ft for tourists and 5.000 for Hungarians. Well, not exactly. 9.000 ft for all languages except Hungarian. Hungarian langage tours is 5.000 ft.

Even in the Lake District in the UK we have two tier pricing, at least in the off season.
There are quite a few attractions where Cumbrians get up to 75% off in winter. Even in high season on Windermere Steamers I pay 20% less than a tourist, restricted to people who live in the County.
At the moment in Scotland, as an over 50 UK resident there is a £17 flat fare return between any two Scottish stations until mid March.

Another example is the cost of the tours in the Opera

I was going for your suggestion that the two tier pricing of EEA vs the world as being an EU requirement as you speculated earlier, but now you are saying another major site also probably receiving EU money is only discounting Hungarians.

Speculating, but I think the cruising aspect of lots of people with short timeframes is what is causing the ticket frenzy and resultant high pricing, and not the intrinsic value of visiting the building which is not worth $34 (the way I read it this higher pricing applies to the UK and Switzerland also) for a short, audio guided tour. Not when there are other options more fairly valued.

No idea if the Opera is receiving EU money.

But it is not permitted to charge one EU citizen more than another EU citizen; so they don't. They charge less for a language that does not require a higher paid (maybe) bilingual guide.

I have attempted to look for tickets on the official website to purchase tickets for the Parliament building, but it is in Hungarian. I am certain there must be an English language page, particularly since the Hungarian National Assembly website accessed in the U.S. is in English. Does anybody know how to access the website in English?

@jsnavely -- at the top right corner of the website, there is a picture of the Hungarian flag. Click on the British flag and it will switch to English.

https://www.parlament.hu/en/web/visitors

This webpage opened in English for me; I can't guarantee that it will do the same for you. https://www.parlament.hu/web/visitors/

That page has a link to the ticketing website, which is here: https://jegymester.hu/event-host/900/parlament. It also opened in English for me.

However, at the moment the offerings do not extend beyond the very earliest times tomorrow (Sunday) morning, which are sold out.

Op use the jegymester sitr Acraven listed. I have bought tickets for various things on jegymester a number of times. Poor interface, especially on a phone. Above the dates you will see a box where you can choose and input more dates than what appears to be possible by scrolling.

Entering a future date range isn't working for me--still nothing after April 14.

I was getting later dates. 13 June, 37 tickets available. https://jegymester.hu/production/480000/hungarian-parliament-building-parliament-visit. And put the date in the box.

I can find tickets beginning May 2. But not before.

On a lap top or PC, open the link: https://jegymester.hu/production/480000/hungarian-parliament-building-parliament-visit

In the lower righthand corner click on orange box with the title PROCEED TO PURCHASE

The window that pops up shows a horizontal scrolling bar with ticket availability for today’s date. Scrolling “later” will only get you more of today.

Above the horizontal scrolling dates is a white box with a date in it. Change the date to your date. I chose 2024.06.13. Below the horizontal scrolling dates change to the 13th of June.

There are 37 tickets available at 10am, 16 at 11am, 4 at 1 pm, etc ……………….

There are some tickets available on 23 April, May 2, May 3, then by the 5th of May looks like some tickets every day.

Apparently they are under priced or they wouldnt sell out so fast.

Wait until 20 August and there are free tours (or there have been in the past)

So much bother for such a mediocre sight, oh well.

I was in the Illinois Capitol last weekend, and I enjoyed it more than the Hungarian Parliament. Tours are free.

Tom, I get it. I have to bite my tongue and remind myself that everyone has different interests and priorities when I read of people spending a day and a half of their travel time and hundreds of dollars in costs and fees to visit Plitvice Lakes. I've started trying to temper my comments on that and similar subjects in response to the realization that I am not everyone.

If I were a guide (and I have done it a few times for friends and relatives) the inside tour is something I understand may not be a first choice if they have less than 5 days in town. As for the cost, well, out of a two, three or four thousand dollar trip, its change. People don’t realize what a poor country it is. The appearance of Budapest doesn’t make that so obvious, so I don’t begrudge the country from trying to make a few dollars off what they have that is interesting to tourists.

This might add to some understanding or enjoyment if you take the tour.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/secrets-of-the-hungarian-parliament-building/index.html

Not mentioned here, but I found in an autobiography of a Jew during the war was that the stained glass windows survived because they were removed and kept in the basement. Also kept in the basement were a great many Jews in hiding.

Not relevant to the Parliament, but if you are into architecture and history and change you might enjoy:

https://pestbuda.hu/en/cikk/20201101_lost_to_war_domes_and_ornaments_lost_during_or_after_world_war_ii_to_be_restored_throughout_hungary

https://www.rferl.org/a/red-socialist-stars-hungary-fortepan-archive-photos/32310203.html

Also note that the dome on the castle is not the original design. Look for old photos if you are interested.