Budapest Spa Baths
 

Can someone let me know about these spa baths? Times they open, which ones are best for male and female and if we bring own bathingsuit plus anything else that would help. We are coming into Budapest after an overseas flight and thought a spa bath would be a good idea..thanks

Berea

When I went to the spas, you went naked in the mineral baths (male-female-segregated) and used a bathing suit to use the regular swimming pools (mixed).

I'm sure they provide towels but bring one just in case...?

Just got back a few weeks ago from Budapest and tried the Gellert and the large baths in the City Park (the spelling of the name of them escapes me at this moment!) Try this web site for general information on the different baths and you can narrow down what type of experience you'd like to have! I swam in both, brought a towel and you must have a bathing cap---men and women---in the swimming pools. The hot soaking pools, it seemed a cap was not required.

http://www.spasbudapest.com/tartalom.php

This is my standard answer each time this subject comes up: The Széchenyi Baths are the best, IMHO. The Gellert was nice, lovely but the steam room was a bit cold as were the actual baths. It also could use a refurbishing - it's just a bit worn but pleasent enough.
The Széchenyi is huge. There are many steam and sauna rooms to chose from. The steam rooms have different levels of heat. I imagine the saunas do too but I love steam rooms. There is a great little wave pool that was loads of fun.
I think you are wise to plan a bath after the overseas flight.
According to the book I bought (Visable Cities) for my 2004 trip:
The Kiraly & the Rac are open to men and women on different days.
The Gellert, Lukacs and Szechenyi are mixed all the time.
The Rudas has a turkish bath for men only but opens it's swimming pools to both.

Hopefully the site mentioned above will give you some useful information.

On a trip to Budapest in February, we went to the Gellert and Szechenyi baths. I think everyone in the group that went to both preferred the Szechenyi. The reasons L84SKY gave are good ones.

Thank you for your replys. Do you have to call in advance or just show up on the off hours ( when working people are working) ? Thanks again

Berea

Just show up on the day. I was at the Szechenyi baths on a Sunday. There was a 10 minute queue but I don't even know if you can buy tickets in advance anyway.

I expect it's quieter on a weekday.