After residing in Budapest, Caleb and I visited every thermal bath, and Lukacs is my favorite! I like it because it is designed similarly to Szechenyi (which is lovely!) but has a much more local vibe. Read far fewer influencers taking selfies.
However, we didn’t know the ropes the first time we arrived, which detracted from the overall “this is supposed to be relaxing” vibe. So, in this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before you go so you may enjoy the most relaxing bath experience possible!
Whether you’re a couple searching for a personal experience or someone who wants a taste of Budapest’s “local life,” we’re confident you’ll enjoy Lukacs baths as much as we did.
How to Get There:
Lukacs Baths are close to Margaret Bridge on the Buda side (as a bonus, stop by the Island’s “Budapest sign” for a great Instagram snap of the Budapest sign!), however, it’s a little outside of the major areas where you’ll most likely be staying.
We enjoy walking and it is our favorite way to go around the city (so we can eat more traditional Hungarian cuisine), so we walked for approximately 45 minutes.
Non-walking options include buses 9 and 109, as well as trams 4, 6, 17, and 19, which stop at Margit Hid.
The Best Time To Visit:
We believe that the greatest season to visit St. Lukacs Thermal Baths is in the winter. Yes, the finest thermal pool is outside, so you’ll have to risk your life (dramatic enough?) to be chilly for a few seconds before entering, but it feels so good!
Plus, you might get lucky as we did and get SNOWED ON while in a warm bath. Talk about cool encounters! Got it? Cool. ❄️
If you want to spend time outdoors and avoid the cold, plan your Budapest schedule for spring or summer. You’ll just have more people, but nothing like the Gellert Baths or Szchenyi levels of humanity!
The Basics You Should Know Before Going:
The Prices:
Prices vary depending on the day and time of your visit.
On weekdays, a day ticket with a locker costs HUF 4 800 ($14) before 5 p.m. and HUF 3 400 ($10) after 5 p.m.
Weekends and holidays: HUF 5 200 ($15) before 5 p.m.; HUF 4 500 ($13) after 5 p.m. For both choices, add HUF 1000 ($3) to use a cabin instead of a locker (details below).
PRACTICAL TIP: Even though prices have risen as tourism has grown, this is still one of Budapest’s cheapest thermal baths! So, if the expense of going is on your mind, this may be the bath.
NOTE: You can also get cheaper tickets solely to use their sauna world. But did you travel to Budapest only to sit in a sauna? You did not.
The Opening Hours:
The baths are open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the cash desks close one hour before that. Additionally, it would help if you left the pools 20 minutes before they closed.
NOTE: On Tuesday and Wednesday, the baths are open until 8 p.m.
How to Buy Tickets:
The easiest way to purchase tickets is through the official website here.
You can also get them at the bath’s cash desk and pay with a credit card or HUF (no other money accepted). We do advocate shopping online, however, because it is faster and easier.
Simply show them the QR code from 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 bring a bathing suit while planning your trip to Budapest. Also, make sure to bring a towel and flip-flops. You can buy all of these items in the bathroom, but they are pricey!
Don’t worry if you forget to pack your swimsuit! You can purchase them there. Caleb had to do it. However, we cannot guarantee they are flattering…
PRO TIP: If you forget your flip-flops, visit any of the PEPCO outlets in Budapest. We bought slippers for a dollar from a chain discount retailer. They were ideal for all-out thermal bathing escapades!
How Long Do You Need to Spend at Lukacs Baths?
We believe that two hours is an appropriate amount of time to visit the Lukacs baths. This provided us plenty of time to change, shower, spend time inside and outside, and even try out “Sauna World.”
Locking Up Your Stuff: Lockers vs. Cabins:
When you buy your tickets at the gate or display your online confirmation, you will be handed a bracelet. This bracelet doubles as your locker key, so keep it with you at all times. It is also required to enter certain turnstiles within some hot baths.
To lock your locker, place your bracelet against the sensor and turn the knob to the red position.
To open, scan your wristband again and turn the knob to green.
When you buy your ticket, you can choose between lockers and cabins. For cabins, only one individual must pay, allowing everyone in your group to utilize them. Cabins serve as small, private changing rooms with lockers inside.
PRACTICAL TIP: For HUF 1000 (about $3), you can upgrade your ticket to include a cabin. We didn’t do this and were perfectly happy with it because the coed locker rooms also feature little changing rooms!
Basic lockers are included with your normal ticket, but they do not contain a changing cabin, only changing rooms within the locker rooms. The lockers are spacious enough to store winter gear, boots, backpacks, and other items.
Quick Amenities Overview:
- Indoor Pools
While we prefer the outdoor pools, there are several options if you wish to stay indoors. You can select 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 favorites! If you want to swim, there are huge pools with temperatures ranging from 22°C/71°F to 26°C/82 °F. However, you must wear a swim cap if you wish to do so.
But honestly, did you come to swim laps? No, you did not.
So, we encourage you to visit the enormous Leisure pool outdoors. The water is 33-35°C (91-95°F), and there are these fun tiny seats built right into the water with small jets that massage your back. We could have sat for hours.
This is the pool that reminds me of Szechenyi, minus the folks.
- Sauna World
Sauna World, as the name implies, is a complex of various saunas where you can cleanse!
Which you might need after drinking all that fantastic Hungarian wine. Just a proposal based on personal experience. 😅 It is one of our favorite activities for couples in Budapest.
Your choices are:
- A salt crystal sauna: 30-40 C°C (86-104°F).
- Aroma steam room temperature: 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 FREEZING 20°C (68°F).
- Drinking hall:
The water at Lukacs thermal baths is the greatest in Budapest for therapeutic and medicinal capabilities, thus they even have a drinking hall with the same water that supplies the pools. Load up on minerals!
- Beer Spa:
Yes, you can take a bath in beer in what appears to be a giant keg while drinking beer. I understand. Dreams can come true. 🍺
- Sun Terrace/Gym:
Feeling like getting a tan or burning some calories? (Thanks to sour cream in everything!) You can visit their rooftop sunning area and fitness park!
PRACTICAL TIP: It is only open from May to October.
Exactly What You’ll Do From Start to Finish:
Navigating Lukacs is quite chaotic, and we got lost on a few occasions. So, to make sure you don’t, here’s the lowdown on how your visit will unfold from beginning to end.
First, purchase your ticket or present your confirmation if you bought it online, and they will issue you a wristband. If you have lockers like us, head up to the second floor for the locker/coed changing area. Change and do your thing.
Now it’s time to enter the Lukacs maze! To reach the indoor thermal spa section, descend the stairs from the main locker room and enter through the leisure pool and swimming pool on the left.
At the end of the hallway, there will be a set of stairs. Take them and turn right. Walking past some changing cabins will lead you to the sauna world and indoor thermal area.
Practical Information: Sauna World can only be used if you purchase a Sauna World ticket or the “all in” ticket online.
The indoor thermal pools here are a bit complicated, but they have a local character and serve as a gathering spot. This is where you may locate a drinking fountain that Hungarians believe has therapeutic properties. The warmest thermal pool (40°C) is the most popular!
Now, the outdoor pool is difficult to locate. You walk down the steps from the main locker area and turn right. Do not do what we did: walk through the cafe bar and enter through the doors on the right opposite side. That was wrong, and we looked silly because we were the only ones who did it, with our towels and shoes outdoors.
You must walk through the cafe, past the cafe counter. When you walk past the counter, you will notice a hallway. Go in there, drop your luggage off, and go immediately into the outdoor pool through the shower (the entry looks like the above photo).
The water isn’t particularly warm (at least not in the winter), but it has a pleasant atmosphere with those jet chairs and a fun mini whirlpool!
When you’re ready to depart, go back through the maze to the changing rooms. When you exit, you will pass through a turnstile. To cause it to move, you drop your bracelet into the little open compartment (vertically).
Do you feel like Jell-O now that you’re relaxed?
Tips to Make the Most of Your Visit:
- Visit on the week of the opening. While Lukacs is always less crowded than the more well-known spas, today is the most peaceful and pleasurable time to visit.
- Be silent. This is the only bath where we noticed indicators of keeping it down. Granted, many individuals did not listen, but please be kind to those attempting to relax!
- Waterproof cameras are the ideal companions. We used our iPhones, and it was a huge pain. There aren’t many ledges to rest your phone on, so you’ll have to tote it around awkwardly.
- You may feel creeped out while shooting images. People are in their bathing suits, attempting to relax. It’s okay to take pictures; just don’t be weird about it.
- Take a shower before bathing. This is necessary for all thermal baths in Budapest. Please obey the rules and keep things clean for everyone!
You now know everything you need to know about visiting the Lukacs Baths in Budapest! You’re going to ace your visit! It is genuinely a local experience, and we highly recommend going if you want a more authentic bath! If you have any questions, please post a comment and let us know.
Conclusion:
Visiting Lukács Thermal Baths in 2024 is an excellent chance to immerse yourself in Budapest’s rich spa culture while also benefiting from the relaxing effects of its thermal waters. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, health benefits, or simply an authentic Hungarian bathing experience, Lukács has something for everyone.
With its blend of modern conveniences and historic elegance, it’s easy to see why it’s a favorite with both locals and tourists. Following this step-by-step instruction will result in a seamless and comfortable visit, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the therapeutic waters and restorative atmosphere. Enjoy your visit at Lukács Thermal Baths, and remember to cherish every moment of this classic Budapest experience!