A Beginners Guide To Visiting Rudas Baths In Budapest
When Caleb and I lived in Budapest, we were on a mission to try all 6 of the most popular thermal baths, and Rudas Baths were one of our favorites. Our jaws might have actually fallen off our heads when we saw the EPIC panoramic views of the city from the rooftop pool, no lie.
But, the first time that we visited, we didn’t really know the ropes as each bathhouse is a little different. So, in this guide, we’re covering EVERYTHING you need to know so you can navigate the huge bathhouse basically like a local.
Personally, we think this is the most romantic thermal bath in the city so, if you’re a couple like us looking for a little oh-la-la, you better get your bathing-suit-clad-behind over to Rudas ASAP. Let’s dive in!
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Quick Navigation: 🚗 How To Get There // 🕰️ Best Time To Go // ❗ Basic Info // 🛀Amenities // 🚿 Walkthough // 💡 Tips
How To Get There
Rudas Bath is across the stunning Liberty Bridge, close to the more famous Gellert baths, just outside the main tourist districts.
We think walking is the best way to get around the city and the perfect way to burn off the Hungarian food and wine we were always eating (hi, sour cream on everything!) so we walked only about 25 minutes from city center.
If you want to use public transportation, take the M4 metro line (green line) to Szent Gellert Ter stop and walk for about 5 minutes. Or, you can take buses 7, 8E, 108E, 110 or 112 and trams 15,19, 56, and 56A. The bus/tram stop is called Rudas Gyógyfürdő.
The Best Time to Visit
We think the best time to visit Rudas bath is during the week, about an hour or so before sunset. This gives you plenty of time to get changed and head up the panoramic pool to watch the sunset over the city. It’s SO BEAUTIFUL. We planned our 3 day itinerary around this time for you!
We will say this is probably one of the most popular times, so expect THE PEOPLE. But, it’s popular for a reason because it’s so gosh darn pretty. If you go during the week, it’ll be less busy than on weekends.
We also recommend going in the winter. Ya, you’ll have to run without a towel for a second (yelling COLD COLD COLD!), but that water feels so nice, and it’ll be less busy than spring or summer!
The Basics To Know Before You Go
The Prices
There are different prices based on the day and time that you go, so here’s what to factor in your trip cost:
The daily ticket to all zones (Turkish bath AND wellness area) is HUF 9300 on weekdays and HUF 12 200 on weekends. During the holidays and high season, it goes up to HUF 13 200.
If you want just to visit Rudas’ Turkish bath, you’ll have to do it on a weekday, and it’ll run you HUF 6400. The same timing and pricing goes for a visit to just the wellness area.
If you want to visit Rudas thermal baths at night, you can only do so on the weekends, and it’ll cost you HUF 12 600.
PRACTICAL TIP: If you want to visit the Turkish bath area, you have to know that sometimes it is only for men or women. Tuesdays are for women, and Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Friday mornings are for men. The co-ed Turkish bath is on Thursday/Friday afternoons and all day Saturday and Sunday.
NOTE: during the high season, usually through August, the Turkish bath is co-ed daily.
Check out all the prices on their website here and the schedule for the Turkish bath here.
The Opening Hours
The baths are open daily from 6 am until 8 pm on Monday to Sunday and the cash desks close one hour before that. You also have to be out of the pools 20 minutes before closing.
You can check out opening hours on their website here.
How To Buy Tickets
The best way to get tickets is online on their website here.
You can get them at the cash desk once you arrive but we found it the easiest to just buy them online and then show the QR code in the confirmation email you’ll receive upon arrival..
What To Bring
If you’re going to the Turkish bath during a specific gender time, you don’t have to wear a swimsuit and that is the only time nudity is allowed!
If you’re going during the co-ed time or to use any of the other services in Rudas, you need yourself a bathing suit! Make sure to pack a bathing suit when planning your trip. Also bring your own towel and flip flops so you don’t have to buy them there.
PRO TIP: if you forget flip flops, one of our best Budapest tips is to go to any of the PEPCO locations in Budapest. It’s a chain discount store and we got slippers there for a buck. They worked great to visit all the baths around the city!
How Long Do You Need At Rudas Baths?
We spent 2 hour at Rudas baths and thought it was the perfect amount of time. However, we did not visit the Turkish bath (it wasn’t co-ed that day) so if that is in your plan, we recommend you alot closer to 3-4 hours.
Locking Up Your Stuff
When you purchase your tickets at the entrance, you’ll be given a bracelet. This bracelet serves as your locker key, and you will need it to get into certain areas once inside the spa. Don’t leave it in your locker or lose it – it costs money if you do!
To lock your locker: scan your bracelet on the locker you select and then turn the knob to red.
To unlock it: scan your bracelet on your locker and then turn the knob to green.
You’ll have the option between lockers (included in your basic ticket price) and cabins (cabins cost an extra HUF 1000, and only one person needs to pay for it, allowing everyone to share the cabin). Cabins are essentially small changing rooms with a locker inside.
We just did the lockers without the cabin, and it was fine. However, you should know the changing rooms are shared (so you might see some things if you know what I mean. 😅) There are separate toilets and showers, though!
The lockers are spacious, and we found bathroom stalls to change in. But, for an extra $1 you may want to add a cabin!
Quick Amenities Overview
Turkish Bath (Indoors)
The Turkish bath is the oldest area of Rudas Bathhouse. According to our research, it has an octagonal pool with a domed room and large pillars, very much like the authentic hammams we visited in Turkey. We bet it looks similar to our favorite hidden bath in Budapest, Veli Bej.
READ NEXT: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VELI BEJ BATHS!
Inside, you’ll have a main pool that is 36ºC (97ºF) and then a few other side pools that range from 28-42ºC (82-108ºF). If you’re feeling hot, there’s also a very cold plunge pool!
Remember, this is not co-ed all the time so time your visit appropriately if you want to visit (unlike us)
PRO TIP: no photos are allowed in here due to the fact that people are in their birthday suits sometimes!
Wellness Thermal Bath (Indoors)
Personally, we think the wellness area is a but underwhelming because it just kind of looks like big swimming pools. But, many people like hanging out here because there is relaxing jets and a range of temperature from 32-42ºC (90-108ºF) across the pools.
PRO TIP: if you want to be REALLY local, have a contrast bath here! There is a very hot and very cold pool right across from each other with signs on how to take a contrast bath. Apparently it’s good for circulation but I couldn’t make the 10 seconds you’re supposed to stay in the cold pool. Its THAT COLD.
We should also warn you that the hot pool smells a bit “eggy” but none of the other pools do. Thank goodness!
Swimming Pool (Indoors)
Like all thermal baths in Budapest, there is a gigantic and beautiful swimming pool that runs At 29ºC (84ºF). We typically only see locals here and you have to swim laps inside, you can’t just hang out. You also must wear a swimming cap if you plan to swim!
Rooftop pool
THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR!! This is the most Instagrammable thermal bath in all of Budapest. The rooftop pool is this dome-sort of structure with sweeping views of the entire city! I
It is kind of small, so it can get very cramped, especially around sunset, but it’s still a must-do. There are usually people lining up (as much as you can line up in a small bath?) to take pictures together, and people are usually helpful enough to take your photo.
Although we did have to wait like 30 minutes for two teenage girls to get the perfect bikini-overlooking-Budapest shot. Be warned that will probably happen to you too. 👀
PRACTICAL INFO: this is the hardest thermal bath to bring your phone. There is nowhere to put it in the panoramic pool so you awkwardly just hold it above water it while trying to relax but not kill your phone.
COUPLES TIP: if you’re feeling bougie, you can rent the rooftop pool entirelty FOR YOURSELVES with champagne. Yea, you basically feel like you’re in a movie and it’s one of the most romantic things to do in the city.
Sauna World
Like other baths, there are a number of saunas and steam rooms inside Ruda if you’re feeling tired of the water.
There’s an aroma sauna that is 40-45ºC (104-113ºF), and a Finnish sauna that is blistering is a whopping 90-100ºC (194-212ºF)! We enjoyed the aroma sauna as it’s not super hot, and as you may guess by the name, it smells good. We think it might have been eucalyptus.
PRO TIP: if you plan to use the sauna, bring two towels. One to sit on and one to use to wipe yourself off because the one you sit on will get SOAKED.
You can also go into a steam room (which we HATED to be honest. It’s like we-can’t-breath-it’s-so-steamy kind of a situation) or go into a dry salt room.
Massage
They also offer various massages which you can find the prices for here.
COUPLES TIP: we love that they offer couples massages here. This would be the ultimate relaxing and romantic way to spend the day!
Exactly What You’ll Do From Start To End
Here’s your quick guide on navigating Rudas Thermal Bath like a pro so you don’t feel lost or confused and can make the most of your visit!
First, buy your ticket and show your confirmation number to get your bracelet. Walk down the hallway between the cash desk and snack bar and scan your bracelet on the turnstile to get into the bathhouse.
Then, walk down into the locker area, change, and do your thing.
Once you change and shower, exit the lockers and follow the halls. Like other thermal baths, it’s a bit of a maze and labyrinth, but you can do it!
The first room you’ll come to is the sauna world. You can hang out there for a bit or keep going through it, which will take you to the swimming pool. Keep walking to the other end of the swimming pool, scan your bracelet to go down a small set of stairs, and then take a right.
You’ll see a bunch of cubbies, so leave your shoes there and walk into the wellness plaza. You can hang out here and relax, take a contrast bath, or keep on going to the roof.
If you’re on “mission rooftop,” keep walking around the left side of the wellness pool, and you’ll find some hidden stairs. Take these up to the panoramic pool!
PRACTICAL INFO: There are a few cubbies here as well but we don;t recommend leaving yours tuff in them as it’s hard to see from sitting inside the panoramic pool and you don’t want to get your stuff stolen!
BAM! You just visited Rudas baths and got some epic views. Do you feel like a bowl full of Jell-O?
Tips For Making The Most Of Your Visit
- Get there at least an hour before sunset if you are going to visit the panoramic pool. You want to give yourself enough time to change, get to the pool, etc, without rushing and then missing the sunset!
- Bring a waterproof camera OR one of those waterproof little baggies for your iPhone that you can wear around your neck. This will make taking photos in the rooftop pool SO MUCH EASIER.
- Shower before bathing. This is required in all thermal baths in Budapest. Please follow the rules and keep them clean for everyone!
- Use the beautiful drinking fountains around the bathhouse. They are clean and awesome!
Now you’re a pro at visiting Rudas baths in Budapest! While it’s not as gorgeous as Szecheyni or Gellert, we love that it feels a bit more local and the rooftop pool is just stunning. 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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