Going to thermal baths on holiday is luxury for most Hungarian families
Due to the increase in the price of admission tickets for thermal baths, it is possible that a family of four has to pay about HUF 13,000 (EUR 33) per day on average for tickets, even while taking advantage of the discounts. This amount is often paid five or six times over the course of a week’s holiday, so families can expect to spend up to HUF 70,000 (EUR 177), although this is only one component of a summer holiday, along with accommodation and meals.
Last year, the typical increase in the price of thermal bath admission tickets was 18-20 percent, followed by a smaller increase this year, as we previously reported. Andor Albel, president of the Dél-Alföld Termálklaszter, told Népszava that in the case of the Szentes spa, ticket prices have increased by 38 percent in two years, which is an extreme example.
The sharp rise in energy prices and last year’s extremely high annual inflation made the price increase in 2023 inevitable, although this did not cover the increased costs of operating a thermal bath.
The majority of rural spas are likely to operate at a loss if only their annual turnover is taken into account. Losses are covered by the municipalities exercising ownership rights, which provide subsidies to the baths.
Thermal baths are the most expensive in Budapest
The highest ticket prices for adults are in Budapest, where for example you have to pay 10,500 HUF (EUR 26.5) for a full-day ticket in Széchenyi Bath and 16,200 HUF (EUR 40.9) in Gellért. In the two baths mentioned, there isn’t a cheaper ticket option than the ones indicated, and neither is the pensioner or student ticket an option, Népszava reports.
Expensive tickets in the capital do not mean that tickets are cheap in the countryside, although they do vary relatively widely. Among the most expensive is the RQ spa in Győr, where a full-day adult ticket costs HUF 8,900 (EUR 22.5), not far behind is Napfényfürdő in Szeged, where the prices are slightly higher. Egerszalók is in a similar category, where a daily ticket costs HUF 9,000 (EUR 22.7).
Among the more expensive spas in the countryside is Sárvár, and Zalakaros is only slightly cheaper. Miskolctapolca’s Barlangfürdő and the Ellipsum, the baths in Harkány and Bükfürdő are similarly priced at around HUF 7000 (EUR 17.7).
Most thermal baths offer discounts
There is a varying system of discounts at the entrances to spas, which can often seem complicated. In addition to adult, student/child and pensioner tickets, there are group tickets and family tickets, which vary based on the number of adults and children, but in some places, there are 2-3 hour swimming tickets, afternoon tickets after 4 PM-5 PM and night swimming tickets as well.
Passes are also available for those who spend a week or two at a spa. You can buy passes for 5 and 10 occasions, not just monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or yearly passes. Tickets can be combined with the services available, as a basic ticket does not normally include the use of the adventure baths and saunas, which are charged separately.
Complex tickets, i.e. tickets for all services, can also be purchased. Many places offer a discount for locals, which must be proven by showing your address card. In most cases, this is only possible with prior registration.
Read also:
- 3+1 of the very best thermal baths in Budapest – Read here
- Outdoor pools and thermal baths: here are some budget-friendly options to consider this summer
I was in Szechenyi in May and for years it has been a busy 90% foreigner crowd but what I saw for the first time was a reduced number of guests. I’m starting to wonder if even better off foreigners are starting to give Szechenyi a pass.
FACT – and Hungarians have to get there HEADS around – when FACTS are presented to them.
Hungarians – we are DAILY that are intensifying being COMMUNICATED fact’s.
Fact’s – that we as a country are being sent DEEPER into a “Bear Pit” – being mauled, savaged – that sooner than later, will destroy and “conclude” us.
Conclude us – meaning – if we THINK the quality of our LIFE is, at this point in time TOLERABLE or Manageable for us, our Families – our own personal FUTURE – even the FUTURE of Hungary – are we being BLIND sighted – not looking at INGESTING evaluating FACT’s ???
Hungarians – we have to INGEST facts, as what they are – what is EVOLVING – factually happening around us – day in day out of our daily LIVES, that is a perilous course, we have been sent on, by the Orban – Fidesz Government of Hungary – look at the FACT’s – for us as a country – these FACTS – are just being acted upon treated WRONGFULLY by us as a country with a dominance of PASSIVENESS.
FACT – 3 million of us are FACTUALLY living in POVERTY.
Do the FIGURES, the percentages against our on-going AGEING Population, that deaths per month, over “new ” little ones, remains, that deaths continue, as they have for the 15 years of the Orban – Government of Hungary have been in POWER – the CLEAR winner.
Hungary – our population 9.6 million – then 3 million plus living FACTUALLY in POVERITY, remembering, that NOTHING in life especially in Hungary – gets CHEAPER, this evaluates, that as a percentage 3% of our population are FACTUALLY poverty STRICKENED.
UN-Acceptable.
Have not the Orban – Fidesz Government – by EXAMPLE – been the FEEDERS into the Greed, Selfishness and Exploitation – that FACTUALLY we are living – practicing our DAILY lives in Hungary – competing with ???
Factual answer – YES.
Inflation again – WILL Rise in Hungary.
Title of this article, what Larry contributes as a commentator, from his DNH “desk” – and “other” pseudonym’s – he commentates under, his comments are FACT.