Lukacs Thermal Baths In Budapest: Your Step by Step visiting Guide
After living in Budapest, Caleb and I have been to EVERY single thermal bath, and Lukacs is my absolute favorite of all of them! I love it because it’s designed similarly to Szechenyi (so it’s really pretty!) but is WAY more local feeling. Read: way less influencers running around taking selfies.
But, the first time we visited, we didn’t know the ropes which takes away from the whole “this is supposed to be relaxing” vibe. So, in this guide, we’re covering EVERYTHING you need to know before visiting so you can have the perfect, rejuvenating bath experience!
Whether you’re a couple like us looking for an intimate experience or someone who just wants a taste of Budapest’s “local life,” we know you’ll love Lukacs baths as much as we did!
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Quick Navigation: 🚗 How To Get There // 🕰️ Best Time To Go // ❗ Basic Info // 🛀Amenities // 🚿 Walkthough // 💡 Tips
How To Get There
Lukacs Baths are pretty close to Margaret Bridge on the Buda side (so an extra little tip is to stop by the Island’s “Budapest sign” for a fun Instagram pic of the Budapest sign!), but it is a little way out of the central districts where you’re probably staying.
We love to walk and it’s our favorite way to get around the city (you know, so we can eat more traditional Hungarian food) so we walked and it took about 45 minutes to get to one of our favorite Budapest hidden gems!
Some ways to get there not by foot are: take bus 9 and 109, or trams 4, 6, 17 and 19 getting off at Margit Hid.
The Best Time to Visit
We think the best time to visit st. Lukacs thermal baths is in the winter. Yes, the best thermal pool is outside so you’ll have to risk your life (dramatic much?) to be cold for a few seconds getting in, but it feels so nice!
Plus, you might get lucky as we did and get SNOWED ON while you’re in a thermal bath. Talk about cool experiences! Get it? cool. ❄️
If you don’t want to be cold and want to spend time outdoors, then stick to the spring or summer with your Budapest itinerary. You’ll just have more people, but it’ll never be near Gellert Baths or Szchenyi levels of humans!
The Basics To Know Before You Go
The Prices
There are different prices based on the day and time that you go:
On weekdays: it’s HUF 4 800 ($14) for a day ticket with a locker before 5 pm and HUF 3 400 ($10) after 5 pm.
On weekends and holidays: it is HUF 5 200 ($15) before 5 pm and 4 500 ($13) after 5 pm. For both options, add HUF 1000 ($3) to use a cabin instead of a locker (details on that below.)
PRACTICAL TIP: while prices have increased as tourism is on the rise, this is still one of the cheapest thermal baths in Budapest! So, if the cost of visiting is on your mind, this might be the bath for you!
COUPLES TIP: if you’re feeling the love, you can even get a private bath for 2 people for 3 hours for HUF 12 000 (about $34 per person)
NOTE: you can also get cheaper tickets to just use their sauna world. But did you come all the way to Budapest to just go in a sauna? No, no you did not.
Check out all the prices on their website here.
The Opening Hours
The baths are open daily from 7 am until 7 pm and the cash desks close one hour before that. You also have to be out of the pools 20 minutes before closing.
NOTE: on Tuesday and Wednesday, that baths stay open until 8 pm.
Sauna World has different hours, so check out the entire opening hour list here.
How To Buy Tickets
The best way to buy tickets is directly through the official website here. It’s not like Veli Bej Baths where the tickets are not available online.
You can also get them right at the cash desk in the bath and pay with credit card or HUF (no other currency.) We do recommend buying online though, just because it’s faster and easier.
Just show them the QR code in your email confirmation, and you’re on your way to soak town, baby!
What To Bring
Don’t worry, there is no nudity allowed so definitey pack a bathing suit when planning your trip to Budapest. Also, make sure to pack a towel and flip-flops. You can buy all these things in the bath but they’re expensive!
If you forget to pack a swimsuit, have no fear! You can buy them there. Caleb had to do it. But, we can’t promise they’re flattering….
PRO TIP: if you forget flip flops, go to any of the PEPCO locations in Budapest. It’s a chain discount store and we got slippers there for a buck. They were perfect for all out thermal bath adventures!
How Long Do You Need At Lukacs Baths?
We think that 2 hours is the ideal amount of time to visit Lukacs baths. This gave us plenty of time to change, shower, spend time inside, outside and even hit up a little bit of “Sauna World.”
Locking Up Your Stuff & Lockers Vs Cabins
When you purchase your tickets at the entrance or present your online confirmation, you’ll be given a bracelet. This bracelet serves as your locker key, so keep it on you at all times. It’s also required for accessing certain turnstiles within some thermal baths.
To secure your locker: place your bracelet against the locker’s sensor and turn the knob to the red position.
To open it: scan your bracelet again and turn the knob to green.
When you buy your ticket, you have the choice between lockers and cabins. For cabins, only one person needs to pay, allowing everyone in your group to use it. Cabins function as small private changing rooms with a locker inside.
PRACTICAL TIP: you can upgrade your ticket for HUF 1000 (about $3) to include a cabin. We personally didn’t do this and were totally fine with it because the co-ed locker rooms have small changing rooms too!
Basic lockers come with your standard ticket but do not include a changing cabin, just the changing rooms in the locker rooms. The lockers are roomy enough to accommodate winter clothing, boots, backpacks, and more.
Quick Amenities Overview
Indoor Pools
While we much prefer the outdoor pools, you have quite a few options if you want to stay inside. You can choose between one thermal pool (32°C/89°F); one thermal bath (40°C/104 °F); and one underwater traction bath (36°C/97°F)
Outdoor Pools
The outdoor pools are our favorite! If you want actually to swim, you have large swimming pools with temperatures of 22°C/71°F, and 26°C/82 °F. But you have to wear a swimcap if you want to do so.
But, really, did you come to swim laps? No, you didn’t.
So, we recommend you check out the large Leisure pool outside. The water is 33-35°C (91-95°F) and there are these fun little chairs built right into the water with little jets coming out of them for a back massage. We could have sat there for HOURS.
This is the pool that reminds me of Szechenyi without the humans.
READ NEXT: GUIDE TO SZECHENYI THERMAL BATHS
Sauna World
The name is kind of funny but, you guessed it, Sauna World is a complex of all kinds of saunas to get your detox on!
Which you might need it after drinking all that amazing Hungarian wine? Just a suggestion from our personal experience. 😅 It is one of our favorite things for couples in Budapest.
Your options are:
- A salt crystal sauna: 30-40 C°C (86-104°F)
- An aroma steam room: 40-50°C (104-122°F)
- An infrared sauna: 40-50°C
- A Finnish sauna: 80-90°C (176-194°F)
- A naturist sauna: 80-90°C
When you’re all hot and sticky, they even have a cold water plunge pool that is a FREEZING 20°C. (68°F)
Drinking hall
The water in Lukacs thermal baths is the best bath for healing and medicinal properties all across Budapest, so they even offer a drinking hall with the water that supplies the baths. Load up on those minerals!
Beer Spa
Yes, you can take a bath IN beer IN what looks like a large keg while DRINKING BEER.
I know. Dreams do come true. 🍺
You can do this right in Lukacs Baths!
>> Check prices, availability, and reviews here <<
Medical Services
They also have some medical treatments like bathing in carbonated water, mud treatments, and underwater traction. Check their website here for more details.
Sun Terrace /Gym
Feel like getting a tan or burning some calories? (Thanks sour-cream-in-everything) you can check out their rooftop sunbathing area and fitness park!
PRACTICAL TIP: it’s only open from May until October.
Massage
They also offer various massages, which you can find the prices for here.
Exactly What You’ll Do From Start To End
Navigating Lukacs is honestly a bit chaotic and we got lost a few times. So, to make sure YOU don’t, here’s the 411 on how your visit will go from start to finish.
First, buy your ticket or show your confirmation if you buy online, and they’ll give you a wristband. If you got lockers like us, go up to the second floor for the locker/co-ed changing area. Change and do your thing.
Now it’s time to get into the Lukacs maze! To get to the indoor thermal spa area, you have to walk down the stairs from the main locker room and take a left-behind leisure pool and swimming pool inside.
You’ll see a set of stairs at the end of the hall. Take them and turn right. Walk past some changing cabins, and you’ll get to the sauna world and indoor thermal area.
Practical Information: you can only use Sauna World if you purchase a Sauna World ticket or buy the “all in” ticket online.
The indoor thermal pools here are kind of a maze and confusing, but they feel super local and like a gathering place. This is where you’ll find a drinking fountain that Hungarians believe has healing powers. The hottest thermal pool (the 40°C one) is definitely the most popular!
Now, the outdoor pool is kinda hard to find. You walk down the stairs from the main locker room and take a right. Don’t do what we did by walking through the cafe bar and going in through the doors on the right opposite side. That’s wrong, and we looked stupid as we were the only people who did it and had our towels and shoes outside.
You have to walk through the cafe and past the cafe counter. Once you walk past the counter, then you’ll see a hallway. Go in there, and then you can drop your stuff off and go right into the outdoor pool through the shower (the entrance looks like the above photo)
The water isn’t SUPER warm (at least not in the winter) but it’s a nice vibe with those jet chairs and a fun little whirlpool!
Once you’re ready to leave, follow the maze back to the changing rooms and change. When you exit, you’ll walk through a turnstile. In order to get it to move, you drop your wristband in the little open compartment (vertically.)
Do you feel like Jell-o now that you’re all relaxed?
Tips For Making The Most Of Your Visit
- Go during the week at the opening. While Lukacs is always less busy than the more famous baths, this is when it’s the least busy and enjoyable.
- Be quiet. This is the only bath we saw signs to keep it down. Granted, many people didn’t listen but be respectful of those trying to relax!
- Waterproof cameras are your best friend. We used our iPhones and it was SUCH a pain. There aren’t a lot of ledges to put your phone and you have to carry it around awkwardly a lot.
- Know you might feel creepy taking photos. People are in their bathing suits and trying to relax. It’s oaky to take pictures just don’t be weird about it.
- Shower before bathing. This is required in all thermal baths in Budapest. Please follow the rules and keep them clean for everyone!
Now you know everything you need to know to visit Lukacs Baths in Budapset! You’re going to ace your visit! It is truly a local experience, and we really recommend you visit if you want a more authentic bath! If you have any questions, just leave a comment and let us know.
Don’t miss some of the other baths around Budapest! Check out our ultimate thermal bath guide to see which are worth visiting
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