Pack a swimsuit, slippers or flip-flops, a swim cap, a towel, a bank card and a photo ID. Slippers are compulsory at Budapest’s public baths, swim caps are required in the swimming pools, and Széchenyi does not rent towels or robes, so anything you forget has to be bought at the door. The on-site shops and cafés take cards only.
Budapest: Széchenyi Spa Tickets with Optional Upgrades
The essentials, and the rule behind each one
These rules come from Budapest Spas, which runs Széchenyi, Rudas, Lukács, Palatinus, Dandár and the smaller public baths, so they apply across all of them.
Swimsuit. Only swimwear made for swimming is allowed in the pools: a swimsuit, bikini, burkini or rash guard in thin, colorfast fabric. Jeans, leggings and sports bras are not allowed in the water. Gym kit is not swimwear, so bring proper trunks or a swimsuit.
Slippers or flip-flops. Compulsory everywhere in the bath, though you take them off before you step into a pool. Plastic flip-flops are fine.
Swim cap. Compulsory in the swimming pools, which are marked with a pictogram. At Széchenyi that means the 26-28 °C swimming pool. You do not need a cap in the 36-38 °C thermal pool or the leisure pool, so if you never plan to swim lengths you can skip it.
Towel. In the saunas a towel is mandatory, and your swimwear must not touch the bench, so you sit on the towel. You will also want one for drying off between pools.
Bank card. On-site payment is by bank card or prepaid card only, and cash is not accepted at the shops and cafés. The one exception is the deposit for 2-hour tickets and overstay charges, which is taken in cash.
Photo ID. Staff may ask for an original passport or ID card to check age. This matters because under-14s are not admitted at Széchenyi, Rudas, Lukács or Dandár. If you look young or are traveling with a teenager, keep the ID with you.
What it costs if you forget something
Széchenyi does not rent towels, robes, caps or slippers. You can only buy them on site. Rudas works the same way, and its 2026 price list gives an idea of what the operator charges across its baths:
| Item | Price at the bath (Rudas list, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Towel | 6,900 HUF |
| Bathrobe | 12,600 HUF |
| Swim cap | 2,100 HUF |
| Slippers | 4,200 HUF |
| Swimsuit | 6,300 HUF |
| Valuables storage | 1,100 HUF |
| Lost locker watch or key | 3,000 HUF |
Forget the lot and you could spend more on kit than on the ticket. A weekday Széchenyi day ticket with a locker cost about $52 on dates we checked in late October 2026, and a towel, slippers and a cap together come to 13,200 HUF on the list above. The exceptions are the Széchenyi Palm House and Private Spa packages, which include a robe, towel, cap and slippers. The Palm House pass cost about $123 on our dates; see our Palm House review.
Lockers, cabins and valuables
You do not need a padlock. At Széchenyi, your ticket comes with a wristband that opens your locker or cabin. A locker ticket uses the public changing rooms; a cabin ticket gives you a small private changing cabin. On the Széchenyi day ticket, the private cabin cost about $55 on a weekday on our dates, $3 more than the locker.
Keep the wristband on your wrist the whole time. Losing a locker watch or key costs 3,000 HUF. For passports, phones and cash you would rather not leave in a shared locker, Rudas lists valuables storage at 1,100 HUF.
A few practical habits help. Put your phone in a waterproof pouch or leave it in the locker. Bring a small bag for the wet swimsuit on the way home. And note where your locker is, because the bigger baths have more than one changing area.
Winter extras
From December to February, Budapest air temperatures average around freezing, with January lows around -4 °C. The Széchenyi outdoor thermal pool stays at 36-38 °C and the leisure pool at 32-34 °C, so the soak itself is warm. The cold part is the walk between the changing room and the water.
- A bathrobe, or a second towel to wrap around you between pools.
- Flip-flops with a strap, which stay on better on wet ground.
- A warm hat and layers for the walk back to the metro with damp hair.
- A dry swimsuit if you plan a second visit the same week.
Our winter baths guide and Széchenyi in winter cover which pools to use when it is cold.
Water, food and other comforts
Eating and drinking are not allowed in the pools, but you can drink between soaks. A plastic water bottle is worth packing for sipping between pools, especially after the hottest ones. Avoid glass: Sparty bans glass and outside drinks entirely, and broken glass by a pool is a hazard anywhere.
Other things worth having:
- Shower gel. You must shower before using the pools.
- A hair tie for long hair, which is easier under a cap.
- Contact lens case or glasses case if you plan to swim.
- Sunscreen in summer for the outdoor pools.
What not to bring
- Jeans, leggings, gym shorts or sports bras to swim in.
- Shoes into the pools. Footwear stays on the deck.
- Food into the water.
- Pets. The Széchenyi, Rudas and Palatinus listings on GetYourGuide all exclude them.
- Lots of cash. You will pay by card, and a locker is not a safe.
- Glass bottles.
- Children under 14 to Széchenyi, Rudas, Lukács or Dandár. See our baths with kids guide for where families can go.
Stay home if you are unwell. The baths refuse entry to anyone with a fever, vomiting, diarrhea or a respiratory illness.
Printable checklist
| Item | Needed for | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Swimsuit (swim fabric) | All pools | Yes |
| Slippers or flip-flops | Walking around the bath | Yes |
| Swim cap | Swimming pools | Yes, in swimming pools |
| Towel | Saunas, drying off | Yes in saunas |
| Bank card | Shops, cafés, extras | Yes, cash not accepted on site |
| Passport or photo ID | Age checks | Bring it |
| Ticket voucher on your phone | Entry | Yes if booked online |
| Water bottle (plastic) | Between soaks | Recommended |
| Shower gel | Shower before pools | Recommended |
| Bag for wet swimwear | Going home | Recommended |
| Robe, hat, layers | Winter visits | Recommended |
| Sparty: ID showing 18+ | Saturday night party | Yes |
The GetYourGuide listing for the Széchenyi ticket gives the same short list: passport or ID card, swimwear, towel, flip-flops and a swimming cap. It also notes that renting is not possible. If you are still choosing a ticket, start with Széchenyi tickets or our ticket guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a swim cap at Széchenyi?
Only in the swimming pools, which are marked with a pictogram. You can use the thermal and leisure pools without one. A cap costs 2,100 HUF at the bath if you forget yours.
Can I rent a towel at Széchenyi Baths?
No. Széchenyi does not rent towels or robes; you can buy them on site or bring your own. At Rudas a towel costs 6,900 HUF. The Palm House and Private Spa packages include a towel and robe.
Are flip-flops compulsory at Budapest baths?
Yes. Slippers or flip-flops are compulsory at the public baths, but you take them off before entering a pool. Slippers cost 4,200 HUF at Rudas if you arrive without.
Can I pay with cash at the baths?
Mostly not. On-site payment is by bank card or prepaid card, and the shops and cafés do not take cash. Cash is used only for the deposit on 2-hour tickets and overstay charges.
Do I need a padlock for the lockers?
No. At Széchenyi the wristband you get with your ticket opens your locker or cabin. Keep it on, because a lost one costs 3,000 HUF.
Should I bring my passport?
Bring a passport or photo ID. Staff may ask for it to check age, and it is required for Sparty, which is 18+.
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