Budapest Baths during the Festive Season in Dec & Jan

Bath Guests are kindly informed that fast track tickets and massage packages including fast track entries are now available for pre-booking (online reservation opens up the calendar gradually, progressing with opening one day each consecutive day) during the Christmas and New Year period.

Festive Days and Rates in Budapest Baths: December and January

Budapest Baths are open almost every day during the calendar year, but some holidays and special events may mean a modified opening time. Advent and Christmas opening hours in most of Budapest Spa Baths are normally as follows:

• Dec 1-23: 7 am to 8 pm (weekdays Mon-Thu); and 8 am to 8 pm (weekends Fri-Sun). Tickets in Szechenyi, Massages in Szechenyi, the Palm House in Szechenyi Exclusive Package and the Beer Bath in Szechenyi as well as Tickets in Gellert, Massages in Gellert can be booked in advance
• Dec 24  (Christmas Eve holiday): opening hours from 8 am to 2 pm (all the facilities in Szechenyi Baths). The rest of the major thermal baths in Budapest like Gellert Bath, Rudas Bath, etc. are normally also open from 8 am to 2 pm. More on: Special Budapest Christmas events. Dec 24 Things to do in Budapest
• Dec 25 (Christmas Day holiday): opening hours from 10 am to 8 pm. Similarly to Szechenyi Bath,  from 10 am to 6 pm on December 25 other Budapest baths are also open: Lukacs Baths, Rudas Baths, Gellert Bath.  More on: Special Budapest Christmas events. Dec 25 Things to do in Budapest
• Dec 26 (Boxing Day holiday): opening hours from 8 am to 8 pm. Further thermal baths in Budapest will also be open on Dec 26: from approx. 8 or 10 am to 6 pm on December 25 other Budapest baths are also open: Lukacs Baths, Rudas Baths, Gellert Bath. More on: Special Budapest Christmas events. Dec 26 Things to do in Budapest
• Dec 27: opening hours from 8 am to 8 pm
• Dec 28: opening hours from 8 am to 8 pm
• Dec 29: opening hours from 8 am to 8 pm
• Dec 30: opening hours from 8 am to 8 pm, reopening at 9.30 pm for the pre NYE Bath Party in Szechenyi Bath
• Dec 31 (New Year’s Eve): opening hours from 8 am to 6 pm. More on: Special Budapest New Year’s events
• Jan 1 (New Year’s Day holiday): opening hours from 10 am to 8 pm. More on: Special Budapest New Year’s events
• Jan 2: opening hours from 7 am to 8 pm
• Jan 3 onwards: normal opening hours apply

Note: the entry price on festive days (such as the Christmas and New Year period) requires the slightly pricier festive rate tickets.

The Pre-NYE Szechenyi Baths Party on Dec 30 can still be booked online:

Booking Dec 30 Bath Party

Why the Waiting Time?

Budapest is immensely popular during the festive season. Thousands of visitors wish to get into the baths, queues of over 30 -60 minutes may build-up, especially at the most popular thermal baths of Budapest, Szechenyi Bath, and sometimes at Gellert Spa. We suggest casting a wider net when having your spa / wellness scheduled planned in Budapest to include less busy but equally amazing baths, such as Rudas Bath by the river Danube. 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). Please make sure to work your way ahead with a fast track ticket.

There will be standard tickets at the baths, which can be bought in person at the cashier. The temporary limit on all online booking is for the festive period between the dates of Dec 21 and Jan 7 when rates are higher. Important: you can still buy your ticket in person on the spot. Likewise, massage treatments can also be bought on the spot, or booked in advance, subject to availability, on a first come first served basis, online or 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 around 20 – 60 minutes in the cold open air.

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 Party

Alternative 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 Party

There 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, 2023