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Thermal Bath recommendations for a more peaceful experience

I plan on doing at least 2 thermal baths when I am in Budapest.
I have to go to Széchenyi just because it is so famous. I plan to do it on a weekday morning unless there is a better time that you can think of. What time does it open in late May? (Sorry, I could look it up, but it may only be partially open.)
What other one(s) would be good for someone who doesn't want to swim and just soak?

I do have flip-flops, but I don't have a cap and plan to bring a towel. Do I need one if I won't be swimming? Do different baths have different rules regarding this?

Thanks,
Mark

Posted by
192 posts

You can find hours here: https://www.szechenyibath.hu/opening-hours

Széchenyi is less crowded in the mornings, and my favorite time to go. It's slightly cheaper if you go before 9am. No need to purchase tickets ahead of time, purchase at the door.

A swimming cap is required only for the lap pool, which is typically only used by Hungarians.

Other baths to check out:
Gellért, especially for the indoor pools, it's quite posh
Rudas is interesting and has gender-specific days,
Luckas, smaller, less fancy, more non-touristy

Posted by
17957 posts

Other baths to check out: Gellért, especially for the indoor pools,
it's quite posh Rudas is interesting and has gender-specific days,
Luckas, smaller, less fancy, more non-touristy.

Yes to above. But personally I would do Gellert for the second.

Posted by
1441 posts

I like Luckas. I brought sandals, a towel, and a change. No need to bring a cap unless you swim in the lap pool. I enjoyed the "wild river" a lot. Have fun!

Posted by
17957 posts

Lukacs is where I go most often, but its more utilitarian and without the grandure and history of many of the others. But sure. A bit out of the way but very nice.

Posted by
43 posts

Thank you for the replies.

It looks like Gellért doesn't have hours that will work for me unfortunately. They open too late and close too early.
Lukacs seems to have great hours and right now and hopefully until after I get there it looks like Tuesdays they are open until 20:00 (8 PM). Which might be nice to have a dip the night before head on to Vienna.

I wish this forum had a search that would be just the area you are in, at least I can't find it. I am sure many of my questions would already be answered, but the search that is there is too broad to be useful, in my opinion.

Mark