Széchenyi Thermal Bath

On our first full day in Budapest, we made our way to the thermal baths, since we read and heard this is a “must thing to do” in Budapest. We made sure to arrive shortly after the bath was open and we are glad we did. Even with arriving early in the morning, it seems the rest of the world was doing the same thing, it was very crowded. We did not buy our tickets in advance and had no problem buying the tickets when we arrived, no line at all and we were inside within minutes. We paid extra for the private changing room for the two of us and it was worth it even though they are not in the cleanest or healthiest environment. But, be advised, this changing room is extremely small and can be quite a challenge if you are 6’3” and 250 lbs. Heck, they should just call it a closet instead of a changing room. Once you enter the bath area, you will have many options to choose from, both inside and outside bathing areas. We did not pay for any of the private spa areas, and it turned out we did not need to. As the morning progressed, the pools and sitting areas became very crowded and at that point we decided to leave. We stayed approximately three hours at the thermal bath and overall, we are happy we gave the place a try. We left knowing we spent some time in one of the most iconic places for visitors to see in Budapest and we felt it was worth the visit. We would also recommend you bring everything that you will need with you, otherwise you will be paying a hefty price if you must purchase them at the thermal bath. Remember, if you are not using the swimming (lap) pool you do not need a bathing cap.

We had heard a lot about thermal baths in Budapest so we decided to visit Szechenyi Baths. We reached around 6 PM and got our tickets quite fast. It had hot spring water in 18 pools, plus it had 10 sauna/steam cabins and massage rooms. The indoor pools were quite crowded so we went in an outdoor pool where there was enough place to chill. it was quite a good experience. It is better to take own towel otherwise it is available on a rent of 6 euro, expensive. The swimming cap is compulsory in a big lap pool. Other swimwear and bathrobe are available on rent. It would have been better if they had kept 2/3 indoor pools reserved only for couples.

As others have mentioned, this is one of those bucket list items to do just once, to see and feel the history. It is often too crowded but good check in the box for visiting such a magnificent bath house. You can purchase tickets online and show up to the ticket window to get your QR code scanned and then will be issued a bracelet for entry/lockers. Bring everything with you such as towels, robes, slippers, bathing suits, etc.. If you want to do lap swimming in the large rectangular pool, a mandatory swim cap is required.

If you are in Budapest this place is a must. The building could be in better condition but you can still see the grandeur of it. Plenty of different sized pools with varying temperatures, saunas, steam cabins and so on (you must try the adventure pool). Unfortunately, the big, outdoor pool is being refurbished currently. If you have a chance, book the private spa with couple massage, it's amazing, definitely worth it.

Széchenyi Thermal Bath is a great place to unwind, with beautiful outdoor pools and historic charm. The warm water feels amazing, especially on a cool day. However, it can get quite crowded. Still, it's a nice experience if you don’t mind the crowds!

I had heard that this place was a must-visit, but unfortunately, it was a major disappointment. It’s best to buy tickets in advance, as the baths are usually very crowded, especially on weekends. A full-day ticket costs 33 euros for an adult. We arrived on Sunday around 9:30 a.m., and there were already a lot of people. The building itself is impressive in size and architecture, with a beautiful main entrance and hall. However, for some reason, we were directed to enter through the back with our tickets. This area was very plain and made it immediately clear how old and poorly maintained the building is. What shocked me most was that the changing area is in the basement without any private space for changing, except for the restroom. If you want a private changing room, you have to pay extra. The smell there was also unpleasant. The baths have one side with warm water at 28°C, then a pool, and on the other side, cooler water. The overall condition left a lot to be desired—I would have appreciated more cleanliness and better upkeep. We stayed for two hours and left, unfortunately feeling extremely disappointed.

An incredible experience! I really enjoyed the pleasure pool, especially the swirl pool, and the outdoor pool was definitely my favorite over the indoor one. Tips: arrive early to avoid the crowds (I arrived at 7.30) and enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere, also it's worth getting a ticket with a cabin room to securely store your bigger items and changing clothes

Get there early to avoid the crowd! We arrived at 8:30am and it was very enjoyable as there were only a few people. The water temperature is perfect. There is one quieter side and the jacuzzi side with more animation (water bubble I mean). Good experience to try out, 1h more or less should be enough.