Thermal Bath recommendations for a more peaceful experience

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

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.

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!

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.

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

Read this for searching: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/searching-forum-topics-another-question

How long do people normally stay in a thermal bath? I mean the water or saunas themselves, not including whether it has a bar or massages, etc. I'm trying to get an idea of what I can do without feeling rushed.
Also if I got a cabin would I also need a safe or is it one or the other?

Thank You,
Mark

The houses usually have a number of theraputic pools. Figure 15 min each. Then a large, very warm relaxiationbor play pool ... as long aa you are enjoying. Figure not less than 2 hours from in to out. 4 hours isnt crazy either.

You wull get a locker with a lock that requires your wrist band to open. Its safe. If you are shy you can buy a private changing booth, same sort of lock. Buy your ticket on line to make it easier.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/baths-advice

Check out Christy’s very thorough reply.

I have my ticket for Lukacs.

The process is very similar, except for a co-ed locker room.

Sadly it seems Széchenyi only sells very expensive packages online. All I want it the day pass and a cabin, but that you must buy in person. If I wanted the package for 44Euros it would include a tour, a drink and some other things I have no desire to get. I buy my ticket at the door and save some money. It will be later on a Tuesday so I don't think it should be too crowded.

If I am wrong please point help me find where to get the ticket.

Mark

We visited Veli Bej (as well as Széchenyi and Gellert), and we had it almost to ourselves. Not sure how typical that is.

It's the oldest bath still operating in Budapest, and, although it's been renovated, it still retains much of the Turkish style. In fact, the older, Turkish baths (which has a largish centre soaking bath under the largest dome, surrounded by 4 small baths of varying temperatures under 4 small domes) is contained within the larger, newer structure. The new part has a jaccuzzi-style tub (but it isn't hot) and a lap pool.

https://www.budapestbylocals.com/veli-bej-bath/

https://www.csaszarhotel.hu/veli-bej-spa-budapest/

If I find I have time another night or if Széchenyi is over crowded, I might have to check it out.
I like the fact that it is open until 9 pm.

Mark

We went to sczenchyi today! Did not buy in advance. Got private changing room, bought towel on site. Spent maybe 90 minutes total. Enjoyed the 100 degree pool, far right of entrance the most. The jets on the wall and floor of pool were powerful. No need for a cap. Bring your own flip flops. Not busy around midday today. Hope that helps. There are plenty of folks to help you buy ticket at entry as we did. In the mid $20 range if I recall. Enjoy every minute. Unique!!