Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tips
Thermal Bathing 101
Thermal bathing is an activity steeped in ritual. For this reason, and because
bathhouse employees tend to be unfriendly relics of the old system, many
foreigners find a trip to the baths stressful or confusing at first. As with any
ritualistic activity, it helps to spend some time observing before joining in.
Even then, you are likely not to know what to do or where to go. The best
advice is to try to enjoy the foreignness of the experience—why else do we
leave home?
The most confusing step may well be the first: the ticket window, with its
endless list of prices for different facilities and services, often without Eng-
lish translations. Chances are you're coming to use one of the following
facilities or services:
uszoda
(pool);
termál
(thermal pool);
fürdó
(bath);
gózfürdó
(steam bath); massage; and/or sauna. There is no particular order
in which people move from one facility to the next; do whatever feels most
comfortable. Towel rental is
törülközó
or
lepedó.
An entry ticket generally
entitles you to a free locker in the locker room
(öltözó);
or, at some bath-
houses, you can opt to pay an additional fee for a private cabin
(kabin).
At
the Király, everyone gets a private dressing room and an employee locks
and unlocks the rooms (p. 321).
Remember to pack a bathing suit—and a bathing cap, if you wish to
swim in the pools—so you won't have to rent vintage 1970 models. In the
single-sex baths, nude bathing is the custom and the norm. Towels are pro-
vided, but usually as you reenter the locker area after bathing. You may
want to bring your own towel with you into the bathing areas if this makes
you uncomfortable. Flip-flops are also a good idea. Soap and shampoo are
only allowed in the showers, but should be brought out to the bath area so
that you can avoid having to return to the comparatively cold locker room
prematurely. You will, most likely, want to wash your hair after soaking in
the sulfuric waters. Long hair must be tied back when bathing. Leave your
eyeglasses in your locker as they will get fogged up in the baths.
Generally, extra services (massage, pedicure) are received after a bath.
Tipping is tricky; locker room attendants do not expect tips (except perhaps
at the Gellért) but would welcome a tip in the 200 Ft to 400 Ft range
($1-$2/50p-£1) while masseurs and manicurists expect a tip in the 200 Ft to
600 Ft range ($1-$3/50p-£1.55).
There are drinking fountains in the bath areas, and it's a good idea to
drink plenty of water before a bath. And don't bathe on an empty stomach;
the hot water and steam take a heavy toll on the unfortified body, especially
for those unaccustomed to the baths. Most bathhouses have snack bars in
the lobbies where you can pick up a cold juice or sandwich on your way out.
After the baths, you will be thirsty and hungry. Be sure to replenish yourself.
and 4 to 8pm; Saturday 9am to 1pm, 2 to 6pm, and 7 to 10pm; Sunday 10am to 1pm
and 4 to 8pm. The fee is 300 Ft ($1.50/80p) on weekdays and 600 Ft ($3/£1.55) on
weekends. Skates rent for 500 Ft ($2.50/£1.30) an hour. International visitors should
