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)-  last year’s hours, not finalised yet. 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)- last year’s hours, not finalised yet. 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 (last year’s hours, not finalised yet). 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 last year’s hours, not finalised yet). 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 (last year’s hours, not finalised yet)
• Dec 28: opening hours from 8 am to 8 pm (last year’s hours, not finalised yet)
• Dec 29: opening hours from 8 am to 8 pm (last year’s hours, not finalised yet)
• Dec 30: opening hours from 8 am to 8 pm
• Dec 31 (New Year’s Eve): opening hours from 8 am to 6 pm (last year’s hours, not finalised yet). More on: Special Budapest New Year’s events (sorry, no NYE events in Szechenyi Bath)
• Jan 1 (New Year’s Day holiday): opening hours from 10 am to 8 pm(last year’s hours, not finalised yet). More on: Special Budapest New Year’s events
• Jan 2: opening hours from 7 am to 8 pm (last year’s hours, not finalised yet)
• 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.

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 visitors of fragile health or for the elderly as the waiting times are expected to be around 20 – 60 minutes in the cold open air.

Why the Waiting Time at Budapest Baths?

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.

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.

Palatinus Bath & Lido / Beach is a sprawling thermal bath complex offering a wide range of pools, slides, and attractions for all ages on Margaret Island Budapest. Enjoy the relaxing thermal waters, experience the thrill of the water slides, and soak up the sun on the spacious sunbathing areas. The indoor pools are open through the winter months and one larger outdoor thermal pool too with scenic views of the spring coming to life on the island. Conveniently located near the Danube River, Palatinus Budapest is easily accessible by public transportation (number 4 – 6 tram) and offers a fun-filled day for the whole family.

Festive Season in December 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

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 July 17, 2025