Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Healing Waters
Of course, not everyone goes to the baths for fun and relaxation. The warm, mineral-rich
waters are also meant to relieve a number of specific complaints, ranging from arthritis and
pains in the joints and muscles, to poor blood circulation and post-traumatic stress. And they
are a miracle cure - we can vouch for this - for that most unpleasant affliction the dreaded
hangover.
What's Inside
The layout of most of Budapest's baths - both old and new - follows a similar pattern: a
series of indoor thermal pools, where temperatures range from warm to hot, with steam
rooms, saunas, ice-cold plunge pools and rooms for massage. Some have outdoor pools with
fountains, wave machines and whirlpools.
Most baths offer a full range of serious medical treatments plus more indulgent services
such as massage (3500/4700Ft for 20/30 minutes) and pedicure (3200Ft). Specify what you
want when buying your ticket.
Depending on the time and day, a few baths can be for men or women only. There are
usually mixed days and nowadays many baths - including the Széchenyi, Gellért and Király
Baths - are always for men and women together. On single-sex days or in same-sex sec-
tions, men are usually handed drawstring loincloths and women apron-like garments to
wear, though the use of bathing suits is on the increase even on single-sex days. You must
wear a bathing suit on mixed-sex days; these are available for hire (1000Ft) if you don't
have your own. Many pools require the use of a bathing cap, so bring your own or wear the
disposable one provided or sold for about 200Ft. Most pools also rent towels (700Ft).
Getting In & Out
The procedure for getting out of your street clothes and into the water requires some explan-
ation. All baths and pools have cabins or lockers. In most of the baths nowadays you are
given an electronic bracelet that directs you to, and then opens, your locker or cabin. Ask for
assistance if you can't work it out. Others - the Gellért Baths springs to mind - still employ
the old, more personal method. Find an empty locker or cabin yourself, and after getting
changed in (or beside) it, seek out an attendant, who will lock it for you and hand you a
numbered tag to tie on your swimming costume or 'apron'. Please note: in order to prevent
theft should you lose or misplace the tag, the number is not the same as the one on the lock-
er, so commit the locker number to memory.
