Bath Guests are kindly informed that fast track tickets and massage packages including fast track entries will not be pre-bookable (online reservation will be suspended) during the Christmas and New Year period. We apologise for any inconvenience caused in advance.
Dates of Temporary Stop on Online Fast Track Bookings
Online sales of fast track tickets stopped, but tickets available at the cashiers:
Dec 22, 2022 – Jan 1, 2023
This means that daytime tickets and massage treatments (or any other treatments) can only be purchased on the spot during the Festive Season days, which are the following:
Dec 1 – Dec 21, 2022 Normal pre-booking available
Dec 21 2022 – online pre-booking available, internet bookings accepted
Dec 22 2022 – tickets & massages available on the spot (no pre-booking)
Dec 23 2022 – tickets & massages available on the spot (no pre-booking)
Dec 24, 2022 – tickets & massages available on the spot (no pre-booking)
Dec 25, 2022 – tickets & massages available on the spot (no pre-booking)
Dec 26, 2022 – tickets & massages available on the spot (no pre-booking)
Dec 27, 2022 – tickets & massages available on the spot (no pre-booking)
Dec 28, 2022 – tickets & massages available on the spot (no pre-booking)
Dec 29, 2022 – tickets & massages available on the spot (no pre-booking)
Dec 30, 2022 – tickets & massages available on the spot (no pre-booking)
Dec 31, 2022 – tickets & massages available on the spot (no pre-booking)
Jan 1, 2023 – tickets & massages available on the spot (no pre-booking)
Jan 2, 2023 – online pre-booking available, internet bookings accepted
Jan 3, 2023 onwards – online pre-booking available, internet bookings accepted
The Pre-NYE Szechenyi Baths Party on Dec 30 can still be booked online:
Booking Dec 30 Bath PartyWhy the Temporary Break?
Thousands of visitors wishing to get into the baths, queues of over an hour build-up at the two major and most popular thermal baths of Budapest, SzechenyiBaths and Gellert Spa. The dense queues of visitors unfortunately often block the way to Guests who have pre-purchased a skip the line entry (or who do not realise how they could skip the line). Unfortunately, the lack of easy access through the crowds to the baths has caused complaints in the past, the fast track entries became ‘slow-track entries’ as there was no space left in the baths and visitors needed to wait over 1 hour to simply get into the baths, sometimes even with a fast track ticket.
The temporary suspension of online bookings for the affected period (Dec 24-Jan 7) will hopefully help to minimise expectations of ‘skip the line’ or ‘fast track entries’, as during the festival days newly arriving guests often need to wait for other guests to leave the baths, so the days of normal visitor dynamics become less predictable.
There will be standard tickets at the baths, which can be bought in person at the cashier. The temporary closure of all booking dates between Dec 22 and Jan 1 is only for online bookings, you can still buy your ticket in person on the spot. Likewise, massage treatments can only be bought on the spot, on a first come first served basis, at the cashiers in the thermal baths.
Please note that we do not recommend joining the queues for families with younger children or for the elderly as the waiting times are expected to be at least 1 hour.
When to Visit the Thermal Bath
If you are determined to go to the most popular baths in Budapest – Szechenyi Baths or Gellert Spa – please try to time your visit in the early morning hours, from 6 am onwards both of them are open. The early morning hours between 6 am and 9 am are more relaxed than the rest of the day.
Pre New Year’s Eve Party in Szechenyi Baths: every year it is a full-house mega party, a highlight in December: we suggest early booking to secure your spot.
Booking Dec 30 Bath PartyAlternative Thermal Baths in Budapest
To avoid any disappointment or long queues, we would encourage guests to explore other very pleasant thermal baths in Budapest where high-quality natural spring and thermal waters fill the pools. Here are some of our top recommendations: the most centrally located of them are Lukacs Bath, Rudas Bath and Kiraly Bath.
Lukacs Bath is one of the most popular and historical thermal baths in Budapest, not to mention the fact, that the entry is free when you have Budapest Cards. If you already have the card why not try one of the most beloved baths of the locals where you can see dozens of ‘Thank you, Lukacs’ plaques on the wall as a commemoration of the healing properties of Lukacs Baths, near Margaret Bridge and Margaret Island by the Danube. Lukacs Thermal Bath is about 20-minute ride on the tram from Gellert Spa. See the route here.
The most popular medieval Turkish bath in Budapest in Rudas Bath. Rudas Bath offers a complex bath and wellness experience, including a hamam. There are 6 other thermal pools in Rudas Bath as well as a larger swimming pool. If you do not wish to join the queues at Gellert Spa, Rudas Bath is just a short ride from the Gellert Hill by public transport, of approx. 10 minutes. See the route here.
Kiraly Bath is the oldest historical thermal bath in Budapest, so a visit here will mean a time travel back to the XVI. century. Along with a historical and bigger octagonal pool, Kiraly Bath has 3 smaller pools (plus a modern jacuzzi pool for 4-5 people). If you have had enough of waiting at Gellert Spa, it is just a short ride from the Gellert Hill by public transport, of approx. 20 minutes. See the route here.
Festive Season in Budapest
Budapest December 24 – Dec 24 is a semi bank holiday for Hungarians: please note that public transport and city life usually quiets down by mid-afternoon (let’s say by 3-4 pm). Budapest Metro usually runs until 4 pm, then the metros are replaced with buses on the routes of the metro lines. Shops also close by 2-3 pm, so local last-minute shoppers who will run around to find some gifts will have to finish their Christmas gift chase by 2 pm to get home with the precious ‘loot’.
Ideas for what to do during the Christmas days in Budapest:
Dec 25 Budapest Activities: Christmas Day events, concerts, tours, cruises, walks
Dec 26 Budapest Activities: Boxing Day events, concerts, tours, cruises, walks
Dec 30 Budapest Winter Party in Szechenyi Baths: the pre- New Year Bath Party is traditionally on December 30, organized by Cinetrip, the Sparty is an international greatest hit among partygoers.
Booking Dec 30 Bath PartyThere is a wonderful Budapest Christmas Market, one on Vorosmarty Square, and there is another market, which is right in front of the St Stephen’s Basilica – both in the city centre of Budapest.
Budapest Christmas Boat Tours
Budapest Christmas Concerts
Budapest Christmas Sights
Budapest Restaurants at Christmas
Budapest Christmas Opening Hours
Budapest Christmas with Kids
Last updated Nov 30, 2022
Source link