Everything You Need to Know for a Visit to Budapest’s Széchenyi Thermal Baths

Most people travelling to Budapest plan to visit at least one of Budapest’s thermal baths. Budapest’s Széchenyi Thermal Baths are close to tourist areas and great for both adults and children.

Budapest has been known for its thermal baths since the Romans lived in Hungary. Two thermal springs lead into Budapest’s Széchenyi thermal baths. Water bubbles from the hot springs at 77 degrees Celsius and is then mixed with cooler water to achieve the desired temperature.

Budapest’s Széchenyi thermal baths have 18 baths in total: 3 outside and 15 inside. There is also a steam room, cold plunge area and spa services.

Arrival at Budapest’s Széchenyi Thermal Baths

We arrived by metro at the Szechenyi Furdö stop. You’ll see the front of the large yellow baths as soon as you come up from the metro. The entrance is on the back so just follow the signs around the building.

The directional sign on leaving Szechenyi Furdo metro stop

The entrance to Budapest’s Szechenyi Baths

On entering the bath entrance, the ticket booths ware to each side. I had it planned in advance which tickets we wanted using the website for the Széchenyi thermal baths: five tickets with a cabin each.

Just a tidbit of information, each ticket for the bath comes with either a locker or a cabin. A locker is the same as local swimming pools. A cabin is a change room where you can change and then store your things inside.

Our plan was to have a cabin each because the difference in price was only about $5. We also planned to book three of the tickets with an added souvenir towel as offered online.

The lady at the ticket booth insisted that we really only needed two cabins as they were huge so we took her advice. She also informed us that the only towels for sale were the disposable towels. We had wanted to bring them home as souvenirs so we opted to not purchase those. We were glad we had brought two towels from our apartment.

Our tickets consisted of five plastic bracelets that almost looked like a watch.

Everyone receives the same bracelet. They are linked to either a cabin or locker so if you’ve purchased both types, make sure you remember which bracelet is which.

We each placed one on our wrist and headed toward the turnstile. En route, we passed a sales kiosk in the center of the main entrance and low and behold, TOWELS!

We had been told not to take the towels into the pool area as they often go missing so we opted to wait until leaving to make our purchase. Tidbit of info: They were lovely with an embroidered emblem of Budapest’s Széchenyi Thermal Baths on the tail.

Entering the Baths and Getting Changed

We approached the turnstile, placed our bracelet on the keypad and it allowed entry into the main hallway of the baths. We went immediately upstairs to get the upper level view of the baths and take some pictures. There were cabins all down the hallway and nobody was around so we decided to use the cabins on that floor rather than return to the main level. It worked out great.

To get a cabin, you place your wrist on the black screen on the wall.

It will tell you which cabin number you can use.

You then use your bracelet to open the door to that cabin. The door automatically locks behind you. To open the door later, use your bracelet again and it will open.

A bit of advice, if you plan to get a cabin, get one each. We really should have had five cabins. They are really only big enough for one. Sydney and I tried to change inside and gave up, taking turns instead.

The Outdoor Pools at Széchenyi Thermal Baths

After changing we headed directly to the pool area.

The warmer of the outside pools.

Stunning!

The cooler of the outdoor pools. Still a toasty 32 degrees Celsius!

The temperature for each pool is stated on a digital screen in the pool area. The center pool is a lap pool. You are only permitted to enter with a swim cap.

To the left, the pool was 32 degrees.

It was warm but not hot. In the center there is a mini whirlpool where you can walk/run in circles with the help of the current.

A little hazy due to the heat in the pool but one of my favourite pictures!

Along the outside there are jets that are fun and give a nice massage.

There are also waterfalls around the outside area of the pool.

In the center, there is a circular resting area with a bench.  It looks like a hot tub but the temperature of the area remains the same.

The pool at the other end, to the right as you enter, was a toasty 38 degrees.

We have a hot tub at home and this was definitely hotter than our hot tub. We stayed for a few minutes but it was too hot for us so we returned to the cooler pool.

We stayed in the area for an hour or so and had a wonderful time. It was relaxing and a lot of fun.

There’s also a place to buy snacks and drinks!

We sat on the edge to dry off a bit and returned to our cabins to change. On the main floor of the cabins, there are hair dryers attached to the wall next to a centrifuge you can use to dry your swim suits.  In order to leave, you take off your bracelet and place it in an opening in the turnstile. It triggers it to open.

Things to bring for a visit to Budapest’s Széchenyi Thermal baths:

Towels – leave them in your locker or cabin so they stay dry

Flip flops – the concrete around the pool can get hot

Swim suit – several people were asked to leave the pool because they were wearing shorts and t-shirt rather than swim wear

Waterproof camera

Cash – if you want/need to purchase anything at the shop kiosk, they only take cash. You can purchase tickets with credit card.

Are you looking for other things to see and do in Budapest? Check out our top 25 things to do!

Have you visited the other thermal baths in Budapest? We’d love to hear about them! Tell us about it in the comment section below!

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