Parliament: Tickets and Tours

They don’t come much grander than the Parliament building, which is located in the heart of Budapest. This dominating structure is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary. But, more importantly, it’s an iconic landmark in Budapest and popular tourist destination.

Built in Gothic Revival style and Situated in the Kossuth Square, the Budapest Parliament building is the third-largest parliament building in the world . A trip here is your opportunity to witness the grand interiors of this historic building.

What can you expect to see inside Budapest Parliament with a guided tour?

With 691 rooms, 29 staircases and 10 courtyards, the Parliament building covers 18,000 square metres. Some of these rooms are used for official parliament business, but there is still plenty to see and do during a tour, including:

• The Vaulted Hall and Session Room
• Decorative central staircase with statues of Hungarian leaders and stained-glass windows
• Cupola Room with the Hungarian Crown Jewels and Hungarian Holy Crown

How much do Hungarian Parliament tickets cost?

General admission prices:

• HUF 3,500 (10€) for EU Citizens
• HUF 6,700 (20€) for non-EU Citizens
• HUF 1,900 (5€) for students (6-24) who are EU Citizens
• HUF 3,500 (10€) for students (6-24) who are non-EU Citizens
• Free for children under the age of 6

Tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Centre (located on site at the Parliament building) on the day of your visit. However, the lines can be lengthy and tickets often sell out quickly. All entrance tickets include guided tours.

How can you book your tickets online?

General admission tickets for Hungarian Parliament can be purchased online via the official website. If the website has sold out, or you want to combine your visit with another attraction, you can purchase tickets from online third-party tour operators.

What types of guided visits are available?

• Guided Tours -  tickets include a guide, who will explain everything you need to know about the Hungarian Parliament building and make your visit more informational in the process. Tours typically last for around an hour, with most including fast-track entry. Prices start from around HUF 4,900 (15€). Make sure to check TourScanner to compare the price of tours.
• Combined tours - most of the guided tours of Hungary’s Parliament building include a more general guided tour of the city of Budapest. These tours typically last between 3 hours and a full day. Many tours also combine a visit to Hungary’s Parliament building with a river cruise of the Danube River or a Folklore Show - which is a traditional Hungarian dance performance.

Parliament + City Tour - visit other historic landmarks, such as Buda’s Castle District, Gellert Hill and Heroes’ Square when you combine a visit to Parliament with a Budapest city tour.

Parliament + Danube River Cruise - cruise down the Danube River with a sightseeing tour that includes views of the Danube bridges, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Great Market Hall.

When are Parliament’s opening hours?

The Hungarian Parliament building is open from April 1st to October 31st and November 1st and March 31st and is broken down into two separate categories due to a difference in opening hours. The opening hours are as follows:

• April 1st to October 31st, 8 am to 6 pm
• November 1st to March 31st, 8 am to 4 pm

There are some exceptions, however. Parliament is closed during holiday periods. These periods include:

• National Day (March 15th)
• Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
• Labour Day (1st May)
• Pentecost (Whitsun) and Pentecost Monday (9th and 10th of June)
• St. Stephen’s Day (20th August)
• Republic Day (23rd October)
• All Saints Day (Nov 1st)
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Day

How to get to Budapest Parliament?

Parliament’s official address is Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, 1055 Hungary.

There are many ways to reach Parliament from the city centre of Budapest, especially as the building is located in Pest city centre, right on the bank of the Danube River.

The transport options are as follows:

• Metro - take the M2 (red), which has a station at Kossuth Lajos ter
• Tram - The tram 2 also has a stop at Kossuth Lajos tér
• Bus - The number 15 bus goes to the Parliament building
• Trolleybus - The number 70 and 78 trolleybuses go to the Parliament building
• Public Boat - The number D11 and 12 go to the Parliament building.

What is the best time to visit the Parliament building?

It’s best to book your tour one month in advance, as tickets sell out quickly. If you’re planning on buying tickets at the Visitor Centre, aim to get there as early as possible (around 8am) to avoid disappointment.

If you purchase a ticket in advance, you will have an allocated time, meaning the building never becomes overcrowded. Early mornings and towards the end of the day tend to be the quietest times to visit Parliament.

Travel tips

• Book ahead and online - The Parliament building is a popular attraction in Budapest and often sells out quickly. Give yourself plenty of time before you plan to visit, as you don’t want to be disappointed or faced with massive queues at the venue.
• Choose your language  - The tour is available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Hebrew (audio guide) and, of course, Hungarian. You can select your language when you purchase tickets
• Respect the entry time on your ticket - Double check the time of entry on your ticket, and don’t be late. The Parliament building’s popularity means that you might not be able to gain access if you arrive later than the stated time on your ticket.
• Checks - There are security checks before you enter the building
• Proof of eligibility - As there are many different tickets available, all visitors will be required to show proof that they meet the requirements for a ticket. Eg, if you’re from the EU, you will need to show an ID card that states you’re a from a European Union country.
• Taking photos - Photos of the Dome and the Crown Hall is prohibited, though you can freely take photos of other areas of the Parliament building.
• Cancellations - It’s possible for guided tours to be cancelled in the event of parliamentary events. This can happen as late as moments before admission, although it rarely ever happens.
• Symbols - Visitors aren’t allowed to wear or display any symbols of dictatorship, nor can you bring flags or signs of protest into the building.
• Food - There is no eating, drinking or smoking on the premises.
• Animals - Guide dogs are the only animals allowed in the building.