What should you put in your bath kit if you are heading to Szechenyi Baths? The best things to take with you to Szechenyi Spa Baths in Budapest are as follows (tips only):
the bare necessities probably include:
- Money for the entrance fee (and for the cafe if you get hungry / thirsty). Hungarian Forint is accepted at the cashiers, as well as the major bank cards (Visa, MasterCards). Foreign currencies are not accepted.
If you can and want to take some more, we recommend the following items to take with you to the baths:
- Swimwear (bikini, one-piece, speedo, swim trunks are OK, etc. As long as you wear some classical swimwear, it will be fine. Full-body swimwear, if made from swimwear fabric, such as burkini, long-sleeved or long-legged swimwear can also be a choice (swimwear material is an important condition though). Please find more details about the swimwear in the Dress Code section.
- Towel: please bring your own towel, especially if you are planning to stay in Szechenyi Baths all day, rather than just hop in from your city tour. Towel rental at the Baths has been suspended since Covid. If you do not wish to buy a towel on the spot, please bring your own towel to the baths. Purchase options include a cheaper, more affordable towel and a more expensive gift towel with the bath logo. The exception is the Dayspalm Palm House package where towel and bath rental are included.
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Flip flops / slippers / foam clogs – are compulsory / required to be worn in the whole area of the bath for good hygiene, except for the pool waters. If you do not have your own, you can buy a pair in the bath shop in the Main Hall (subject to availability).
- Soap, shampoo (there are showers but no complimentary soap or shampoo dispensers)
Szechenyi Bath Lemongrass Soap - Hairdryer and hair care products: there are public standard hair driers, which are free to use, however, there are no complimentary hare care products (shampoo, conditioner etc.). Travel size products are available at the local stores.
- a Waterproof wallet or purse if you want to take your money with you in the pools too (you can also store your money in the lockers or changing cubicles. Additionally there is an option to rent a safety box. If you store valuable items in the cabin or locker, they are not insured. If you rent a safety box, it is insured, so there is a difference when it comes to values. Preferably, however, please do not bring any valuable items to the baths (like jewellery, special electronic items, etc.). If you arrive with friends / family / with your own group, it will mean to have the advantage to take care of each other’s belongings)
- Swimming cap is only needed in 1 of the pools out of the 15 public pools at Szechenyi Baths. It is necessary to wear it if you want to swim in the cool-watered sports pool (to do laps), otherwise not needed in any of the thermal baths, plunge pools, etc. Only in the outdoor central swimming pool.
- you can buy Drinks and Foods in the cafeteria of Szechenyi Baths or you can bring your own drinks (non glass, non alcoholic) and picnic basket. On hot summer days make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- No Cigarettes – Please don’t bring your cigarettes, as smoking is prohibited in most places in Szechenyi Baths (inside and outside, by the pools too). In a spa environment most guests would like to enjoy wellness and fitness, so it is common sense politeness to forget about smoking in the baths, at least for the duration of your visit.
- Optional personal items you could miss: comb or hairbrush, body lotion, make up, hair gel, etc.
- No valuables: please don’t bring your jewellery to the baths – rings may slip off your fingers, etc. We highly recommend leaving behind your jewels, wrist watches and other valuables. That said, you can rent a small safety box to store your valuables in Szechenyi Bath.
- Optionally – for a longer stay you may wish to bring a mobile charger – e.g. if you plan to stay at the thermal bath all day and you are a heavy mobile phone user too.
- Bag – a bath kit bag is useful. If you have an extra waterproof bag after bathing, it will protect your bag from getting wet. If you arrive with a cabin size suitcase or a suitcase, we suggest booking a cabin (changing cubicle) which can accommodate standard suitcases, lockers are suitable for average backpacks.
For winter visits we also recommend having a bathrobe as the outdoor pools can only be entered from the outside (no tunnels or other heated corridors leading to the open air warm baths). In winter time it is important to have slippers of some kind to protect your feet. The distance you need to take from indoors to the outdoor pool is quite short, but just because locals (and Scandinavians) are used to cooler temperatures by the bath, you may need some warm garment so that you can enjoy the winter baths beautifully steaming. An unforgettable experience, and one of our personal winter activities / sights in the long list of popular things to do in Budapest.
Make sure you do not lose your wristband that you receive upon checking in. There is a serious penalty fee for a lost wristband. Each wristband is a ‘smart’ item, chip equipped and serves as a locking mechanism for the changing cubicle or locker you booked. Best to keep it on your wrist.
Last updated, June 6, 2024
Hi, is there still a kiosk selling drinks by the outdoor pools?
Hello Deborah,
Thank you for contacting us.
Yes, there is a kiosk selling drinks close to the outside pools at Szechenyi Baths.
We hope you have a great time visiting Budapest!
My son and his friend recently visited Budapest. They bought tickets to enter the baths at the kiosk but did not know that they couldn’t rent towels until they were entering. They did not have enough money to buy the towels and asked if they could have a refund. When my son visited the last time he was able to rent a towel. They were told since they bought the ticket at the kiosk they could not get a refund, if they bought it at the desk they could have received a refund. They left and had their friend from Budapest call because he speaks Hungarian and they were told to come back. They did not have time to come back as they were leaving Budapest by train that day. I emailed with the receipt information immediately asking for a refund or a credit as I will be visiting Budapest in February. I have not received a response. He visited on 2024-01-13.
Hello Melissa,
We are sad to hear that your son was not aware of the post-Covid discontinued rental services.
Indeed, there is no towel rental included in the bath services following the pandemic (unless the Dayspalm package is purchased for the Palm House, currently).
Please kindly note that we only manage tickets purchased online on our website and cannot address the problem regarding tickets bought at the kiosk. We have sent you an email with instructions who to contact.
Kindly make sure to send the original tickets (as a photo attachment), the date of visit and the name of the guest. If you no longer have the tickets you can support your request with a card payment statement or receipt. Please also note that the official bath policy states that there is no refund for unused tickets (visitors need to be informed about the up to date bath practises), so it would be helpful if you send along a detailed description of the boys’ visit (name, date, relevant documents such as receipts) and if they remember the name of the staff member who suggested them to contact the baths. Please do not share IDs, or bank data and other personal information, just the relevant information related to the act of purchase.