Szechenyi Spa Baths FAQ

First-time visitors in Szechenyi Bath often ask many questions. There are some misconceptions about the baths, e.g. some visitors think that you need to be naked in the baths (no, quite the contrary), that Szechenyi is a Turkish bath (no, it is not), where the pools are separate for men and women (they are not).

Please read our FAQ, if you visit Szechenyi Bath in Budapest for the first time. It will give you a good orientation, and lots of helpful info to make your bath visit more relaxing, avoid multiple queues.

CAN I … in Szechenyi Baths?

Can couples visit the baths? Can I go with my husband / wife / partner? Sure you can, every day. Szechenyi Bath is completely mixed, all facilities, pools. You can even share the same private changing room called cabin (bath tickets with cabin are slightly more expensive)

Can children go to Szechenyi Baths? Can I take my kids under 10, or over 14? Will my teenager children enjoy the baths? Can I go to Szechenyi Baths with my toddler? Kids over 14 are very welcome to enjoy all pools. Children under 14 are not recommended to use the warm thermal pools of 36 degrees Celsius or more. Although children under 2 years of age need no entry, they cannot use the pools. Unfortunately, there is no discount for younger visitors in the baths. There are no chutes, slides or floats either, so if you want to visit a more child centred pool complex, we suggest trying a different bath, e.g. Palatinus or Dagaly in the summer months.

Can I buy tickets in advance? Yes, you can buy your Szechenyi Bath ticket in advance, and avoid the hassle at the cashiers: fats track entry, comfort is just a click away. Pre-booked tickets entitle you to a full day visit, include a private changing cabin, and a private entrance at the Help Desk. Please note that online tickets cost an extra approx. 1 Euro, which means not having to stand in a queue / long line, as you will check in via our Help Desk, where our receptionist speak very good English.

Can I book a massage therapy in advance? Yes, you can book your Szechenyi Bath massage in advance. What is more, it is best to book a massage in advance as same day massages are hardly available. Booking is via online: please note that we can only offer massage for bath guests, and confirm bookings that have been pre-paid. Note: massage treatments are available for bath guests with a valid bath entry.

Can I wear swimwear in Szechenyi Baths? Can I wear a bikini? Can I wear a Speedo? Can I wear a wet suit? See our guide about the Dress Code of Szechenyi Baths In short, you have to wear a swimwear in the baths but not all styles are accepted (e.g. so called modesty swimwear with long sleeves etc. are not allowed). As the bath is mixed, all guests must wear a decent swim wear at all times.

Can I rent swimwear in Szechenyi Bath? Swimwear can be purchased but not rented. You can save time to bring your own swim wear.

 Can I rent a towel in Szechenyi Baths? Towel rental is currently only available with the exclusive Palm House package. Standard tickets do not include towel rental. Environmentally, we think it is best if you bring your own towel with yourself, e.g. a light weight microfibre towel. Another last minute solution is to buy a towel in the bath shop as a keepsake.

RENTAL SERVICES (Towel and Bath Robe) only AVAILABLE with Palm House package – PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN TOWEL / SWIMWEAR/ SLIPPERS OR PURCHASE A TOWEL ON THE SPOT

Can I take photos in Szechenyi Bath?
Can I use my camera at Szechenyi Spa? Can I make video recordings of the baths, the outdoor pools like others on youtube?

Can I smoke in Szechenyi Bath?  Yes, but only in the designated smoking areas.

Can I leave my bag, valuables somewhere safe in Szechenyi Bath? Yes, you can use your locker, your private changing cabin, or use one of the small safety boxes in Szechenyi bath.

Can I bring food and drink to Szechenyi baths? You can bring your own food, and you can bring in non-glass beverages too (the bath is maintaining a splinter free zone). But if you get hungry, you can visit the simple cafeteria in the baths to buy some warm foods and cold foods (nothing fancy, plastic plates, affordable prices, canteen style self service).

Can I visit Szechenyi Baths in winter time? Sure you can. All the baths, including the 3 outdoor pools are filled with natural hot spring water, which comes from deep wells under the City Park natural water reservoir. Szechenyi Bath is especially popular during the winter holidays (Christmas, New Year’s time)

Can I visit Szechenyi Bath at Christmas? Yes, the baths and pools are open at Christmas too.

WHERE – Szechenyi Baths?

Where is Szechenyi Spa Baths?

Szechenyi Spa Baths is close to the city centre of Budapest: by M1 metro (underground) you can easily get to the world famous bath complex in 15 minutes from the heart of the city, i.e. from the transit hub square called Deak Square (Deák tér), where all Budapest metro lines meet. Szechenyi Baths is in the City Park, a 5 minute walk from Heroes’ Square (you know, the Heroes’ Square with the tall monument with an angel on top?  It is often seen on most Budapest postcards and travel brochures: a must see anyway).

• See the location of Szechenyi Bath compared to other Budapest attractions in the City Park of Budapest on Budapest Tourist Map.
• GPS coordinates of Szechenyi Baths.
• Address of Szechenyi Baths

Where am I in Szechenyi Baths? It is a Maze

I got lost in the labyrinth of the huge Szechenyi Baths. Where am I? Please print out our internal map of Szechenyi Bath to help you navigate around the maze of pools, saunas, steam rooms, long corridors of cabins and massage rooms, etc. The building is enormous, and it is best to have a little map with you, if you feel uncomfortable in unknown places.

If you buy our online ticket, you will be given your own Szechenyi Bath Map to help you navigate more easily.

WHEN – Szechenyi Baths?

When is Szechenyi Baths open? Some units close earlier, while others are open longer. The indoor and outdoor facilities and pools are normally open from 8 am to 8 pm most days of the week throughout the year, with seasonally changing hours (e.g. in peak time the baths may open at 7 am). Szechenyi Baths is also open on national holidays and bank holidays, 365 days a year. However, the thermal baths may have shorter opening times on holidays (specifically on Dec 24 or Dec 31, Jan 1 etc).

When are Szechenyi Night Bath Parties? Mostly on Saturdays. Click on the link to find out more about Szechenyi Parties. The bath parties are from February to December in Szechenyi Bath (Sparties).

When are there guided tours in Szechenyi Baths? Guided tours inside the bath complex are currently unavailable. However, there are mobile audio guides, downloadable, introducing the thermal baths and its surroundings in Budapest City Park. More about Szechenyi Bath and City Park tours here.

When can I go in the morning to Szechenyi Baths? The earliest time to visit Szechenyi Baths is normally at 8 am (in peak season it may change to 7 am or 6 am – please always check the opening hours or email us if in doubt). If you are an early riser or you just need to cure your headache after an all-night party, you will enjoy Szechenyi Baths and we suggest trying other thermal baths in the city as each offers something unique. Early risers are welcome to have a quieter, more relaxed time in the baths or do laps in the big swimming pool.

In addition, Szechenyi Baths is also a medicinal institute of aqua therapy, healing with its water, and some patients who have been prescribed its waters can enjoy the baths earlier. Hospital patients have separate pools and separate entrance, secluded from the general public for privacy reasons. Please note that some of the spa treatments and aqua therapy, like mud treatment, is only available for medical patients and not for the general public.

WHAT – Szechenyi Baths?

What is a Cabin at the Szechenyi Baths? And what is a Locker? Why is a cabin more expensive than a locker? Can I not buy a ticket with a locker (or a cabin)? Cabins are private changing cubicles, which are used for getting changed and also storing your belongings. Lockers are storage boxes, school locker style, or the lockers you would find at a train station, for instance. Lockers are usually man size, so you will have ample room to keep your swim gear, streetwear, shoes and a bag /  backpack. In addition, you can also rent safety boxes on the spot to have a peace of mind (please do not bring valuables).

What are the baths and pools like at Szechenyi Spa Baths? See our printable Szechenyi Bath Map here in Fahrenheit or in Celsius with all the important info of the baths, pools, saunas, massage rooms, steam rooms, etc. There are 18 pools of various sizes and temperatures: 1 big swimming pool in the open air, flanked by two outdoor thermal pools, one of which has a fun whirlpool. The 15 indoor pools are bigger and smaller pools with different water characteristics, temperature, underwater jets, shape, etc.

What are the ‘sparties’ / Szecska spa parties? Read more about the Szecska Saturday night parties here. Saturday night laser disco with live DJ parties in the baths. Very popular, very unique, only in Budapest!

What is the Dress Code at Szechenyi Baths? The dress code of Szechenyi Bath is very simple: please wear a swimming suit, bikini, speedo, etc. at all times, in all pools. Swim wear is obligatory. Waterproof slippers or flip flops are compulsory to increase the hygiene standards in the baths. There are far too many guests in the thermal baths to keep a spotless floor in every second. The bath is huge, and there are hundreds, often thousands of guests inside Szechenyi Bath. It is best to protect your feet with light flip-flops. If you have no flip-flops, you can buy a pair in the main hall in Szechenyi Bath.

HOW – Szechenyi Baths?

How can I get to Szechenyi Baths?

The easiest way to get to Szechenyi Baths (or Szechenyi Furdo in Hungarian) is by taking the historical M1 metro (the 2nd underground in Europe, built right after the one in London!). M1 is the yellow line, which runs right down under Andrassy Avenue from the city centre. There is a metro station right by Szechenyi Spa Baths. The name of the metro station is the Hungarian name of the spa: Szechenyi Furdo (say: ‘Say-chain-nee Fur-der’).

• See the location of Szechenyi Bath compared to other Budapest attractions in the City Park of Budapest on Budapest Tourist Map.
• GPS coordinates of Szechenyi Baths.
• Address of Szechenyi Baths

How Szechenyi Baths Pools are kept clean?

The hot thermal pools at Szechenyi Baths are filtered and completely refilled every day to ensure the water quality, while the swimming pool and other cool pools are treated with cleaning salts and a non-invasive amount of chlorine. 

How do you say Szechenyi Baths in Hungarian?

Széchenyi Fürdő is pronounced Say-chain-nee Fur-duh. It is also called Széchenyi Gyógyfürdő (Szechenyi Medical Baths), Say-chain-nee George Fur-duh, or even Szecska (setsh-kah) as a term of endearment. Yes, we Hungarians love our Szechenyi Baths.