The bathing culture of Budapest started with the Romans who built the first baths over the many hot springs of Pannonia. In modern Hungary bathing has become an everyday activity for the locals and thousands of tourists every year. The “modern” baths of Budapest with their refreshing and healing water have become a refuge for weary souls looking for some relaxing times and revitalizing treatments for both body and soul. The myths about the complicated Hungarian bathing procedures should not discourage you from having this unique experience. Mainly the problem is with English. Older Hungarians cant speak it! But that not a problem if you know how it works!
Gearing up!
This is what you’ll need at the thermal baths of Budapest:
a bag,
a towel,
some money, (to eat and drink, bathroom),
shower gel,
a cap (or rent it at the bath) some baths require it for some of the pools,
a pair of slippers to stay away from feet infections.
Tickets & Fees
The entry fees to the Budapest thermal baths cost usually between 1000-3000 ft (4-12 Euros) Gellert and Szécsény thermal baths being the most expensive. This is the price for entrance to the pools and thermal baths of the facility. If you want massage, water therapies or other treatments you have to pay extra for it and you’ll have an extra ticket you’ll have to show the masseur. Here’s how the entrance fee works:
you pay the fee as if your gonna spend the whole day at the bath.
if you leave within 2 hours you get back a larger amount (say 400 ft).
if you leave within 3 hours you get back a lesser amount (say 200 ft).
if you spend more than 3 hours you get back 0.
The furdöneni & báci (the bathaunt & uncle) - the keymasters of the baths
This is the really tricy part. The biggest question is why the keymasters exist at all? But we wont dive into the Communist and Taylorist theories of work organization here. The important thing for you to know is that you will depend on them if you choose a locker or cabin, and you probably will. If you want them to look after you stuff and want good service you tip them in advance (at least 200 ft but not more than 500). And here’s how it works:
show them your ticket and they find you a locker and open it for you. At some baths you will get an own key and the keymaster doublelocks the cabin with his key.
after you’ve changed you go to them and they’ll understand your ready and close the locker/ cabin for you.
when you want something from the locker or want to go home you find your keymaster to open your locker/ cabin.
If you didn’t tip them in advance and you want a smile before you leave now´s the time, they’ll expect it.
Rules and common courtesy
You have to take a shower and wash yourself with soap before entering the baths and pools.
Be quiet and act calmly! Don’t run speaking loudly or jump into the water.
At some baths swimming caps are mandatory. As how it works at the ticket desk.
Tips
Be careful with the steambaths they can be very hot!
Don’t plan anything advanced physical stuff afterwards.
The ticket booth close one hour before the baths close.
Thats it! Now your well prepared to visit a traditional Hungarian bath and have a unforgettable relaxing and refreshing experience. Enjoy!
The bathing culture of Budapest is ancient. It started with the Romans who built the first baths over the hot springs on the harsh lands of Pannonia. After the Roman occupation the Turks invaded Hungary in the early middleages and brought with them their bathing traditions and knowledge that are still present in the ever popular Turkish baths of Budapest.
All of the Turkish baths are located on the Budaside of the city and are fairly easy to reach. However a Budapest taxi (use one of the listed taxis) will take you there from the center of Budapest for approx 8-9 Euros. Even tough all of the baths have original architecture left from the Turkish occupation (from 16th and 17th century) not all are that well preserved. The Lukách bath for example have not so much left of the original architecture. However the outdoor pools are very nice in green surroundings.
The best Turkish baths in Budapest for tourists looking for interesting sights and experiances are probably the Kiraly and Rudas Thermal Baths with their inspiring and exciting buildings. Beside the beautiful architecture these baths have managed to keep a historic touch and atmosphere, an experience you will carry with you a long time for sure!
Király Bath
Location: fö u. 84 (Budaside)
Tram: 4,6 to Budapside of Margret bridge. Metro: Batthany tér. Buss: 60, 86
Open for Ladies: Mon, Wed, Fri 07.00 a.m. - 06.00 p.m.
Open for Gentlemen: Tue, Thu, Sat 09.00 a.m. - 08.00 p.m.
Entrance fees: with cabin 1300 for 2 hours.
Observe: Popular place on the gay scene in Budapest!!
Rudas Bath
Location: Döbrentei tér 9. (Budapeside) at the foot of the Buda bridgehead of the Elizabeth bridge.Trams: 18, 19. Buses 5, 7, 8 and 86.
Open for Ladies: Tue 06.00 a.m. - 08.00 p.m. Sat - Sun 09.00 a.m. - 05.00 p.m.
Open for Gentlemen: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, 06.00 a.m. - 08.00 p.m. Sat 09.00 a.m. - 05.00 p.m.
Entrance fees: with cabin 2200 refund if shorter than 2 hours.
Observe: Popular place on the gay scene in Budapest!!
Rác Bath (closed due to reconstruction 2007)
Location: Hadnagy utca 8-10 (Budaside)
Tram: 18. Buss: 5, 8, 78
Open for Ladies:
Open for Gentlemen:
Entrance fees:
Lukács Bath (under construction to q1 2008)
Location: Frankl Leo ut 25-29 (Budaside)
Tram: 4,6 to Budapside of Margret bridge. Metro: Batthany tér. Buss: 60, 86
Open: Mon-Fri 06.00 a.m. - 07.00 p.m. Sat-Sun 06.00 - 05.00
Entrance fees: Cabin 1900, refund 400ft if less than 2 hours visit.
This is probbably the least interesting of the baths since it have very litte remainings left from the original architecture.
Observe: Under construction until first quarter of 2008!
The Gellert bath is located inside the Gellert Hotel which was built in 1918. Gellért is one of Europe’s most beautiful baths with its Art Nouveau style including mosaics in different colours, statues, marble columns. It is, together with the Szécheny bath, the most popular of the Budapest baths. The elegant and sophisticated interior make it a perfect choice for the (romantic) couple to relax and enjoy each others company in nice surroundings.
Records from 15th century describe the healing qualities of the thermal water that you still can enjoy, now in eight elegant indoor baths. Gellért has also three outdoor pools with a nice park feeling to it.
The water temperature intervals for the thermal pools inside are: 79-100°F (26-38°C). Water mineral content: thermal water containing nitrates, calcium- magnesium- hydrogen- carbonates and sulphate-chlorides, as well as fluoride ions in significant quantities.
Gellert spa have also a range of services including:
Open hours: Weekdays 6.0 a.m. – 7.0 p.m. Weekends 6.0 a.m. – 5.0 p.m.
Entrance fees: 3100 (12 Euro) for cabin (400 back if you stay less than 2 hours)
Trams: 18, 19, 47, 49. Buses: 7, 7A, 86 from Ferenciek square.
Location: Kelenhegyi út 4. District XI |Phone: (36-1) 466-6166
Related: Bath and spa hotels in Budapest
Websites: www.gellertfurdö.hu | www.gellertbath.com
The bathing culture of Budapest started with the Romans who built the first baths over the many hot springs of Pannonia. In modern Hungary bathing has become an everyday activity for the locals and thousands of tourists every year. The “modern” baths of Budapest with their refreshing and healing water have become a refuge for weary souls looking for some relaxing times and revitalizing treatments for both body and soul. The myths about the complicated Hungarian bathing procedures should not discourage you from having this unique experience. Mainly the problem is with English. Older Hungarians cant speak it! But that not a problem if you know how it works!
This is the really tricy part. The biggest question is why the keymasters exist at all? But we wont dive into the Communist and Taylorist theories of work organization here. The important thing for you to know is that you will depend on them if you choose a locker or cabin, and you probably will. If you want them to look after you stuff and want good service you tip them in advance (at least 200 ft but not more than 500). And here’s how it works:
