The Széchenyi Baths are the most famous thermal baths in Budapest and rank among the largest spa complexes in Europe. The highlight is the two outdoor thermal pools surrounded by yellow Neo-Baroque buildings. They are open even in winter.

In my opinion, Széchenyi is well worth a visit, mainly for its atmosphere and setting. Don’t expect a quiet, luxurious spa. The baths are very popular, some of the indoor areas look a bit dated, and it gets really busy here on weekend afternoons.

If you’re heading to Budapest primarily for a swim, it’s worth staying near Városliget Park and arriving as soon as it opens. We recommend specific hotels below.

View hotels near the Széchenyi Baths

Pools, saunas and water temperature

The complex has three large outdoor pools:

• a thermal pool with water at 38 °C
• an adventure pool with a temperature of around 34 °C
• a swimming pool with a temperature of 26 to 28 °C

Inside, you’ll find a range of smaller thermal and cooling pools with temperatures ranging from 18 to 40 °C, as well as saunas and steam rooms. Some therapeutic pools are accessible only on medical prescription.

The most popular is the outdoor adventure pool with massage jets, water spouts and a circular current. The outdoor pools remain open all year round, and swimming in hot water during cold weather is one of the best experiences.

How much time to allow

Most visitors find that 3 to 4 hours is sufficient. In this time, you can try out the outdoor pools, several indoor thermal pools and the saunas.

An all-day ticket allows you to stay until closing time, but only true wellness enthusiasts will appreciate spending a full day here. Once you’ve left the complex, you cannot re-enter on the same ticket.

Weekdays are quietest immediately after opening. Around midday, the complex starts to fill up quickly, and the busiest times are usually at weekends.

Admission and prices

A standard ticket is valid for the whole day and includes access to the public swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and a locker for personal belongings.

Type of admission	Price
All-day entry from Monday to Thursday	13 200 huf
All-day admission on Fridays and at weekends	14 800 huf
All-day admission during public holidays and peak season	15 800 huf
Morning admission from Monday to Thursday, arrival by 9.00 am	10 500 huf
Morning admission on Fridays, arrival by 9.00	11 800 huf
Fast Track from Monday to Thursday	15 200 huf
Fast Track on Fridays and at weekends	16 800 huf
Fast Track during public holidays and peak season	17 800 huf

Morning tickets can only be purchased on site. You must pass through the turnstile before 9.00 am, but you can then stay in the spa until closing time.

Fast Track tickets are sold online only. They offer a separate entrance and are particularly useful at weekends and on public holidays, when queues may form at the standard entrance.

The morning option requires you to arrive by 11:00, whilst the afternoon option allows entry from 15:00 onwards.

Where to buy tickets

The cheapest option is to buy tickets on the spa’s official website. The price of a standard ticket is the same online and at the ticket office, but online bookings are given priority once capacity is reached.

Once purchased, an official ticket cannot be rescheduled to another day or cancelled. If you have a fixed schedule, buy it directly from the spa.

Tickets booked via GetYourGuide with free cancellation tend to be considerably more expensive (by around 30 per cent), but allow you to cancel up to 24 hours before your visit. It therefore makes sense if you’re unsure of the date or your plans might change.

Locker or changing cubicle?

The standard ticket includes a lockable locker and changing facilities in the communal areas. The locker is sufficient for a standard rucksack and a change of clothes.

For 1 000 huf , you can purchase a private changing cubicle. The cubicle remains locked throughout your visit and can accommodate even larger items of luggage. One cubicle is usually sufficient for a couple, with the second ticket including a locker.

Children under 14 are not permitted

Children under the age of 14 are not permitted in the Széchenyi Baths, not even in the outdoor pools. The only exception is for treatment based on a pre-approved medical certificate.

The baths do not sell family or standard children’s tickets. Staff may ask teenagers to show their original ID.

For families with children, we recommend the Palatinus Thermal Baths on Margaret Island or the Aquaworld Budapest water park.

What to bring with you

Please bring your own swimming gear to the thermal baths:

• swimwear
• towel
• slippers, which are compulsory on the premises
• aswimming cap, only if you wish to use the outdoor swimming pool

Towels, slippers and swimwear are not available to hire. You can only buy them on site, and the prices are high – for example, a towel costs 6 900 huf and slippers 4 200 huf.

There is a restaurant and several bars on the premises. You may bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks, but bringing your own alcohol is prohibited.

The complex is not fully wheelchair-accessible. Visitors in wheelchairs should contact the spa in advance to arrange assistance and a suitable changing cubicle.

Opening hours

The spa is open every day, including weekends and most public holidays.

Day	Opening hours
Monday to Thursday	7.00 am–8.00 pm
Friday	7.00 am–10.00 pm
Saturday and Sunday	8.00 am–8.00 pm

The ticket offices close one hour before closing time, and you must leave the pools 20 minutes before closing time. On public holidays, the pools open at 8:00, and opening hours may vary slightly.

Always check the website szechenyibath.hu/available-services for the latest restrictions on individual pools. Some pools may be temporarily closed for maintenance.

History and healing waters

The first makeshift artesian baths began operating in Városliget Park in 1881. The current Neo-Baroque building was opened in 1913, and the outdoor section was added during the expansion of the complex in 1927.

The thermal water contains mainly calcium, magnesium, bicarbonates, sodium and sulphates. It is traditionally used to treat musculoskeletal problems, though most tourists come here primarily for relaxation and to enjoy the unique surroundings.

Location and transport

The spa is situated in Városliget Park on the eastern edge of the wider city centre. The Széchenyi fürdő station on the historic M1 metro line is located right by the entrance.

The metro journey from the city centre takes about 10 minutes.

You can also take trolleybus 72. We describe ticket prices and how to use them in the article ‘Transport in Budapest’.

The baths do not have their own car park, and parking in the surrounding streets is paid and time-limited. We therefore recommend travelling by metro even if you are staying in a more distant part of the city.

What to visit nearby

Combine your visit to the baths with a stroll through Városliget Park. Within a few minutes, you’ll reach the fairytale-like Vajdahunyad Castle, Budapest Zoo or the monumental Heroes’ Square.

If you arrive in the morning, the ideal plan is to spend 3 to 4 hours at the baths, have lunch, and then spend the afternoon strolling through the park and along Andrássy Avenue towards the city centre.

Is Széchenyi the best thermal bath in Budapest?

We recommend Széchenyi for your first visit. It has the most impressive outdoor pools and the typical atmosphere that most people expect from Budapest.

However, it is neither the quietest nor the most modern. For a historic Turkish-style setting and views of the Danube, choose the Rudas Baths.

You’ll usually find fewer tourists at the Lukács Baths.

We compare the prices, pros and cons of all the main complexes in our article ‘Thermal Baths in Budapest’.

Hotels near the Széchenyi Baths

There are no hotels directly within the baths’ grounds. The nearest hotels are located near Heroes’ Square and on Andrássy Avenue, from where it’s about an 8- to 15-minute walk.

• ibis Styles Budapest Heroes Square – one of the nearest and usually cheaper hotels. It’s particularly suitable for visitors looking for practical accommodation without unnecessary luxury.
• Mirage Medic Hotel – the best all-round choice near the baths. It’s situated right by Heroes’ Square, close to the metro, and the pools are about a 10-minute walk away.
• Alice Hotel – A stylish and highly rated hotel in a historic villa on Andrássy Avenue. Choose this if you’re looking for a more pleasant hotel and a good location for exploring the city.

If you’d like to have thermal pools right in the hotel, take a look at Ensana Thermal Margaret Island. It’s in a different part of Budapest, but offers its own thermal and wellness centre exclusively for hotel guests.

We compare other specific hotels by price, location, view and wellness facilities in the article ‘Where to stay in Budapest’.

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