Budapest’s iconic City Park Ice Rink opening date announced – How much could a family visit cost?

Budapest’s historic City Park Ice Rink is set to welcome skaters back on 20 November, with an opening event celebrating the 100th anniversary of its mechanisation. However, a family outing could prove costly: although this season’s ticket prices have not yet been announced, last winter’s rates offer an indication of how much visitors may need to budget.

The rink announced on its social media channels that the 2026/27 skating season is scheduled to begin on Friday, 20 November, at 5 pm. The date is still subject to weather conditions, and any changes will be communicated through the venue’s official channels.

The opening celebration will run from 5 pm to 9 pm, with organisers promising ice sports demonstrations, music and activities for all age groups. More details about the programme are expected later.

The occasion also marks 100 years since the rink’s mechanisation. The venue itself is much older: it first opened on 29 January 1870, making it one of Europe’s oldest outdoor ice rinks. Euronews has also included the Budapest attraction in its selection of outdoor ice rinks worth visiting across Europe this winter.

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How much did skating cost last season?

The rink has not published its 2026/27 ticket prices yet. The official website still lists the rates from the previous season, so these should be treated as a guide rather than confirmed prices.

(1 euro = 363 forints)

According to Pénzcentrum, last winter, an adult ticket cost HUF 3,500 during normal periods and HUF 4,500 during peak periods, which included Friday evenings and weekends. Student and pensioner tickets were HUF 2,500 and HUF 3,500, respectively.

Discounted family tickets were also available for groups with children under 14. A four-person family ticket, requiring at least two children, cost HUF 9,500 during normal periods and HUF 12,500 at peak times. The three-person and five-person options were also available at different rates.

For a family of four consisting of two adults and two children, the previous season’s weekend admission would therefore have cost HUF 12,500.

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Skate rental could push the bill above HUF 25,000

Visitors without their own equipment also need to budget for rentals. Last season, hiring a pair of skates cost HUF 3,500, with a refundable HUF 2,000 deposit per pair. Helmet rental was HUF 1,500, while younger children could hire a skating aid for HUF 1,000 per half-hour.

If all four family members rented skates, that would add HUF 14,000 to their admission bill. At last season’s rates, the total for a weekend visit would therefore have reached HUF 26,500, excluding deposits and any additional services.

Regular visitors could save money with multi-entry passes. A 10-entry adult pass cost HUF 31,500 last season, bringing the price per visit down to HUF 3,150.

What parents should know

Children under six can enter free of charge. Those under 12 must skate with a parent or another adult, while children aged 12 to 14 need written parental permission. The rink does not offer a separate spectator ticket, so accompanying adults must also buy admission.

Tickets for the new season are expected to become available online closer to the opening date. The length of the season will depend on the weather.