Hungary’s Parliament building in Budapest is ranked among TripAdvisor’s top 15 landmarks in the world.
Inspired by the British House of Parliament, it is both a Museum and an office for around 800 people.
This proud city landmark on the banks of the Danube gets almost a million visitors annually.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets to the Budapest Parliament.
Top Budapest Parliament Tickets
Table of contents
What to expect at the Hungarian Parliament
The Parliament Building in Budapest, which the locals refer to as Országház, is renowned for its stunning architecture.
The Budapest attraction is open to visitors who get to see the stunning interiors of the building, including some of the 691 well-furnished rooms.
Don’t miss out on the forty kilograms of 22 to 23-carat gold used to decorate the interiors, especially the staircases and intricate ceiling designs.
Here is a video that gives you an idea about the scale of the Hungarian Parliament –
Note: Unfortunately, Budapest Parliament Building’s architect Imre Steindl, never got to see his masterpiece because he went blind before it got completed.
| Hungarian Parliament | Cost |
|---|---|
| Budapest: Grand City Tour with Parliament Visit | HUF 18,825 Ft (€50) |
| Parliament Tour in Budapest with Audio Guide | HUF 10,540 Ft (€28) |
Where to book tickets
Tickets for Hungarian Parliament are available online and at the Parliament ticketing center.
However, please note that the Parliament authorities restrict visitors when the Parliament is in session.
Therefore, it is advisable to book the tickets online, as the website scheduling will clearly show when the Parliament visit is allowed.
Buying tickets at the venue might lead to disappointment if you visit on a day when the building is not open to visitors.
Moreover, online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
Because some attractions sell limited tickets, booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
Since only a limited set of visitors are allowed to explore the Budapest Parliament every day, the guided tour tickets usually get sold out 1 to 3 weeks in advance.
How do online tickets work
Visit the booking page for Hungarian Parliament, select your travel date, number of tickets, and time slot, and make the booking.
Once you complete the booking process, the tickets will be mailed to you.
You do not need to carry printouts.
Show the e-ticket on your smartphone at the entrance and walk in.
Carry a valid ID.
Since students up to the age of 24 can book their tickets at a discount, they must also bring their student ID.
Hungarian Parliament ticket price
For the Budapest: Grand City Tour with Parliament Visit, the general ticket for all ages 13 and above is HUF 18,825 (€50).
Children between the ages of three and 14 can gain access at HUF 9,412 (€25).
Infants under the age of three are not charged for entry.
For the Parliament Tour in Budapest with Audio Guide, an adult ticket for all ages between 18 and 64 costs HUF 10,540 (€28).
Youths and children aged between six and 17 years can gain entry at HUF 7,530 (€20).
Seniors aged 65 and above are charged HUF 9,790 (€26) for entry.
Infants under six are not charged anything for entry.
Budapest Parliament Discounts
Kids discount:
Kids under the age of six get a 100% discount on their Budapest Parliament tour tickets – that is, they can enter for free.
You can claim your free ticket from the Parliament’s Visitor Center on the day of your visit.
EGT Citizen (EU countries+ Norway& Switzerland) discount :
Till January 2013, Hungarian Parliament tours used to be free for EU citizens.
Now, the EGT citizens can buy a ticket at a price 35 to 40 percent less than that of the general ticket.
Student discounts:
Students aged between six and 24 years with a valid student ID can also avail of discounts on their Budapest Parliament tour tickets at the venue.
Budapest Parliament tours
Official Guides of the Parliament lead the Hungarian Parliament tours;visitors can’t just walk in and start exploring.
This is why we recommend you plan your tour date and book your guided tour online.
Hungarian Parliament tour + Grand City tour
This trip is a 4.5-hour guided tour during which you get to see the Hungarian Parliament and also get a tour of Budapest city.
Your first stop will be the Castle District to see the area’s main attractions, such as Matthias Church, Fishermen’s Bastion, etc.
Then, you drive to the top of Gellért Hill to take in panoramic views of the city.
Later the tour moves across the Elizabeth Bridge to the Pest side to see the famous Central Market Hall and Europe’s largest synagogue.
At Heroes’ Square, you stop to see statues of famed Hungarian kings and dukes.
The best – the Parliament Building tour – is reserved for the last.
Kids two years and below don’t need tickets to join this tour.
Meeting Point: Cityrama and Gray Line Travel Agency. Get Directions.
Ticket Prices
EU Citizen
Adult ticket (13+ years): HUF 18,825 (€50)
Child ticket (3 to 12 years): HUF 9,412 (€25)
Non-EU Citizen
Adult ticket (13+ years): HUF 25,979 (€69)
Child ticket (3 to 12 years): HUF 13,177 (€35)
Infants under three are not charged anything.
Parliament Tour in Budapest with Audio Guide
With these tickets, you get access to a 45-minute audio guided tour in the Parliament Building.
You can avail the audio guided tour in five languages: English, German, Italian, French, and Spanish.
Entrance to the Parliament Museum is included in this ticket, and you will get to see an exhibition at the end of the guided tour.
Ticket Prices:
EU+Norway, Switzerland Citizens:
Adult Tickets (18 to 64 years): HUF 10,540 (€28)
Youth Ticket (13 to 17 years): HUF 9,790 (€26)
Child Ticket (6 to 12 years): HUF 7,530 (€20)
Senior Tickets (65+ years): HUF 7,530 (€20)
Infants (up to 5 years): Free
Non EU+Norway, Switzerland Citizens:
Adult Tickets (18 to 64 years): HUF 18,825 (€50)
Youth Ticket (13 to 17 years): HUF 18,074 (€48)
Child Ticket (6 to 12 years): HUF 13,178 (€35)
Senior Tickets (65+ years): HUF 13,178 (€35)
Infants (up to 5 years): Free
How to reach Budapest Parliament
The Hungarian Parliament Building is at Kossuth Lajos Square, on the Pest side of Budapest.
It lies on the bank of the Danube and makes for a beautiful sight from a Danube River Cruise.
Address: Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, 1055 Hungary. Get Directions.
By Bus
Széchenyi Utca bus stop and Jászai Mari Tér bus stop is a two-minute walk away.
Batthyány Tér M bus stop is a seven-minute walk away.
Bus lines 15, 9, 26, 91, 191, 291, and 923 service the bus stops near the Hungarian Parliament.
By Train
Take Line 2 (Red Line) that runs from Buda’s Deli Palyaudvar (Deli Railway Station) to Pest’s Ors vezer Square.
To get to the Parliament building, you must get down at Kossuth Lajos Ter Metro station.
Note: Budapest Metro starts services every day at 4.30 am and runs until 11 pm. A train passes every 2 to 15 minutes, depending on the time of day. Budapest Metro Map
By Tram
Tram 2 runs parallel to the Danube from Jaszai Mari Square to Kozvagohid and stops at the Parliament building on the way.
Interestingly, Tram 2 is one of the ten most beautiful tramlines in the world.
Note: Validate your ticket the moment you board the Tram, or else you may have to pay unnecessary fines. Since tickets can’t be bought on the Tram, you must buy them in advance from vending machines, small kiosks, Metro stations, etc.
By Car
Put your starting point here to navigate to the Hungarian Parliament building.
There is no parking space for private cars or buses in front of the Visitor Centre at the Hungarian Parliament Building.
However, you can park your car at Care Park, which is 1 km (0.6 Miles) from the Parliament Entrance.
They have 400 parking slots and are open 24 hours.
Budapest Parliament timings
From April to October, Budapest Parliament opens at 8 am and closes at 6 pm every day, and from November to March, it continues to open at 8 am but closes early at 4 pm.
When is Budapest parliament closed?
Visits to the House of Parliament are restricted when the Hungarian Parliament is in session.
On the first day of the week, the visitors are allowed to see the Hungarian politicians in action from 8 am to 10 am.
On such days, the ticket office remains open till 11 am.
For the rest of the week, visitor tours are not allowed as long as the Assembly Sessions continue.
It is best to make bookings online as the ticketing portal will lay out the scheduling calender clearly.
The Hungarian Parliament Building also doesn’t allow visitor tours on the below given National Holidays.
- January 1
- March 5
- Sunday and Monday of Easter
- May 1
- August 20
- October 23
- November 1
- 24, 25, and 26 December
How long is the Hungarian Parliament tour
The Hungarian Parliament tour is a 45-minute experience, which includes 15 minutes of security check and 30 minutes of walking around the Building in a group led by the Building’s official guides.
Besides showing around the delicately done up rooms, Staircases, Coronation Jewels, etc., the Guides also share the operational rules and procedures of the Hungarian Parliament.
For security reasons, you cannot stay in the Parliament building after the guided visit is over.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Hungarian Parliament is in the morning between 8 am to 10 am.
The attraction is very popular and can quickly get crowded.
If you wish to see the Parliament lit up with floodlights during the night sky, it is best to visit the Parliament 60-80 minutes before the closing time.
What to see in the Hungarian Parliament
The Hungarian Parliament tour is a fantastic opportunity to see the interiors of the Building.
Here is our list of must-see attractions inside the Budapest Parliament –
Staircase XVII
Staircase XVII is one of the twenty-eight stairs in the House of Parliament, and your tour begins from here.
You climb up the decorative, gold-plated Staircase XVII to reach the most spectacular floor of the building – the main floor.
During this climb, you will take in the intricate statues, stained glass windows, and decorative frescoes.
The Chamber of Peers
This chamber is also known as The Old Upper House Hall and used to house the Upper House of Parliament till Hungary decided to turn into a one House Government.
It now hosts conferences and meetings.
Don’t miss the panels made of Slavonian oak, gold-plated decorations, horseshoe-shaped seating arrangement, and paintings of the coats of arms of Hungary’s royal families.
Lounge of the Chamber of Peers
After exploring the Chamber of Peers, the tour enters the Lounge of the Chamber of Peers.
Check out the pyrogranite sculptures made of a unique material considered to be an innovation in its day.
In this lounge, you also get to see the largest hand-knotted carpet in the whole of Europe, under your feet.
Once you are done with the carpet, look up to see ornate gold gilded ceilings with paintings.
Dome Hall
From the lounge, the tour moves to Dome Hall, the geometric center of the Hungarian House of Parliament.
The Dome Hall is almost 27 meters tall (that’s as tall as a six-story building).
The sixteen-rib vaulted ceiling has colorful stained glass windows between the ribs.
Don’t miss out on the statues of 16 Hungarian rulers and kings who shaped Hungary into the country it is today.
The most prominent names are St. Istvan (Stephen I) and St. Laszlo.
Hungarian Crown in Dome Hall
The Dome Hall of the Parliament Building houses the Crown jewels and other insignia and are heavily guarded all through the day.
The crown of Saint Stephen, also known as the Holy Crown of Hungary, was worn by 50 Hungarian Kings.
Together with the scepter, orb, and coronation sword, the Holy Crown sits in a glass container.
If you are lucky, you may even see the Change of Guard, which happens every few hours.
Visitors are not allowed to photograph the crown jewels.
Grand Stairway
When you exit the Dome Hall, you reach the Grand Stairway, which is the last exhibit of the Hungarian Parliament tour.
This stairway has 96 steps, covered with red carpet, to commemorate the Hungarian Conquest in 896 and Hungarian Millennium in 1896.
Two large and one small fresco adorn the ceiling of the main stairway.
Don’t miss out on the eight, four-tonne granite columns, which were gifted by the Swedish Government.
The windows with decorative stained glass panels on the sides add to the opulence.
Hungarian Parliament Museum
After the Budapest Parliament tour is over, you are free to visit the Parliament Museum located in the Visitors Centre.
This Museum got established in 2014 to collect, preserve, and to exhibit the souvenirs from the historic building.
The four permanent exhibitions which combine traditional and multimedia technology are:
1000 Years of Hungarian Legislation: This exhibition takes the visitors on a journey through the one thousand years of Hungary’s history. This section nicely complements the Hungarian Parliament tour.
History of the Construction of the Courtyard: The history of construction talks about the Parliament Building and full of audio and visual elements.
Stone Museum: The Stone Museum houses carvings. In here, you get to see sculptures and blocks of stonework from the times of reconstruction.
1956 Memorial: This is a symbol for the 1956 Uprising against the Soviets.
Bonus!
Numbered Cigar Holders
Hungarian cigars were a potent national symbol in the country in the early years of the Parliament and hence most Politicians were cigar smokers.
Since the debating chambers were non-smoking areas, numbered brass cigar-holders got built in the ancillary hallways.
When the bell rang to announce the next session, they would leave their cigars in their allotted slot, and pick them up later.
Code of conduct within the Parliament
Visitors must follow a strict code of conduct during the Hungarian Parliament tour, failing which they can get evicted.
No visitor must –
- Conduct oneself in a manner harmful to the National Assembly, to the national treasure of the Holy Crown or the Coronation Insignia
- Affect other person’s human dignity
- Bring flags or other instruments of protest
- Raise one’s voice, sing or demonstrate
- Eat, drink or smoke within the Building
- Sit, lie or kneel on the stairs, ground or furnishings
- Damage the furnishings or the Parliament Building itself
- Disturb or obstruct the Parliament’s staff
- Bring noise-making devices such as whistles, megaphones etc. to the tour
- Refuse to comply with instructions and requests from the Tour Guides
Budapest Parliament’s guards will escort the visitors who fail to comply with these rules, out of the Building.
Budapest Parliament’s dress code
The dignity of the House of Parliament requires that every visitor dress up appropriately.
This does not mean that you must dress up for the Parliament Building tour – casual wears such as jeans, t-shirts, shirts, and skirts are just fines.
To wear or display symbols of dictatorship is strictly prohibited.
FAQs about the Hungarian Parliament
Here are a few frequently asked questions about the Hungarian Parliament:
During your visit to the Hungarian Parliament, if it is found that you have booked a misleading ticket, you will only be granted entry after a sizable fine, usually equal to a little more than the difference in price between an EU and a non-EU ticket.
The Parliament is referred locally as Országház. [ɔrzzaːɡɦaːs]
The Parliament was inaugrated in 1896 on the presumed 1000th anniversary of the country, but was not completed until the year 1904.
The Hungarian Parliament is committed to accessibility. Elevators and ramps are available, and staff members are generally helpful in assisting visitors with special needs.
Only a valid identity card and your passport are required for the visit.
You can easily book an audio guided tour by going to the online ticketing portal of the Parliament.
Sources
# Afar.com
# Parlament.hu
# Tripadvisor.com
# Wikipedia.org
The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.
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Should I buy Budapest Parliament tickets once I reach there? What do you recommend?
To avoid last minute disappointment, and to avoid standing in ticket counter lines it is best to get the tickets online.