Everything to know about the prices of Budapest’s beaches and baths

Photo: FB/Palatinus

The recent record-breaking hot weather has brought huge crowds to the beaches. Due to the heatwave alert, the opening hours of Budapest’s spas have been extended until 8 PM. Bathing tickets are now more expensive everywhere, but there is a 5 percent discount for buying tickets online.

The bathing season has started

With the exception of the Király and Rác Baths, which are still under renovation, all Budapest beaches and baths are open. That makes 11 complexes in total. In view of the heatwave, opening hours have been extended and you can cool off in the water until 8 PM.

Another effect of the heat is that there are as many people on the beaches on weekdays as on weekends. Usually 10-11 000 people go to the beach a day. In contrast, 18 000 people visited Budapest’s baths on Wednesday, vg.hu reports. Before leaving the house, it is worth checking whether the given beach is full. The number of visitors is limited at any one time.

“It may happen that the Palatinus and Paskál, which are mainly visited by children, can no longer receive more guests, while the occupancy rate at the Római, Csillaghegyi or Pünkösdfürdő Baths is only 50 percent,” said the head of the baths management company of the capital’s municipality.

The good news is that the Gellért Spa is not closed, as the renovation of the hotel is being delayed. So we can enjoy this Spa all year round. With many people thinking that the spa is closed, there are fewer people than usual at the Gellért Spa. We can take advantage of this to enjoy one of the most famous baths in the capital of Hungary in more relaxed conditions than usual.

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Tickets, season tickets, prices

From 1 June, tickets for Budapest’s spas have increased by 9-20 percent. However, they are still cheap for foreigners. The last time prices were increased, in 2019, one euro cost 316 forints – now, this number is above 400.

Tickets are often cheaper when bought online. There are also various discounts at some spas. Season tickets, family tickets, student and pensioner discounts are also available. In addition, if you want to go swimming during off-peak hours, you can buy a cheaper ticket.

If you compare prices, the cheapest family ticket is in Pünkösdfürdő, while the most expensive is at Palatinus beach. At Pünkösdfürdő, a family ticket for four people costs 5800 HUF (€ 14,3), while at Palatinus beach a similar ticket costs 10100 HUF (€ 25). Adult tickets range from 2700 to 8500 HUF. Depending on where, when and on what day you want to visit the spa.

Beach bars are rented by the operator. So the prices vary. In addition, the increase in the price of raw materials is reflected in the prices of the products.

The spas are preparing a variety of programmes. In Széchenyi, there are relaxing light painting evenings called Color Bath. There will also be 3 cinema nights at Széchenyi in July. In Pesterzsébeti Baths, night bathing continues.

The Sziget festival has already indicated that, as in previous years, there will be cooperation with the Budapest spas. However, no further information is available at this time.