Budapest Parliament: Tickets, Prices, Opening Hours and How to Visit the Inside in 2026

The first time I went to Budapest, I thought Gábor would take me straight to a thermal bath. He's Hungarian, after all, and knows every single one. But no. The first thing he wanted to show me was the Parliament.

And I understood why the moment I saw it: whether you look at it from the river, from the square outside or from inside the Dome Hall, the Budapest Parliament is impressive from every angle.

So here I'll tell you what exactly it is, why it's a must in Budapest, how to visit the inside (opening hours, prices and tickets) and a few curious facts you probably didn't know.

Book your Parliament ticket in advance: it sells out days ahead, especially at weekends and in high season, and with this audio guide ticket you lock in your day and time.

Join the free walking tour of Budapest: it's free (you tip what you like), it passes through Parliament square and it's the best way to get your bearings on your first day. I compare the options in my 7 best free walking tours in Budapest.

See the Parliament lit up from the Danube: a sunset cruise is the other great way to see it, and if you can't get a ticket for the inside, it's the perfect plan B.

What is the Budapest Parliament?

The Budapest Parliament, or Országház in Hungarian, is the seat of Hungary's National Assembly. It stands on the banks of the Danube, in Kossuth Lajos tér, on the Pest side. It was designed by the Hungarian architect Imre Steindl, who won the competition for the project in 1885, in a neo-Gothic style meant to rival the Houses of Parliament in London.

It's the largest building in Hungary and the third-largest parliament building in the world. That's why it's a must-see if you're going to Budapest, even if you're not especially into architecture or politics: the façade is impressive enough, but the inside lives up to it.

Budapest Parliament tickets, prices and opening hours

The price depends on your nationality. If you're a citizen of the European Union or the European Economic Area, you pay half. Just bring your ID card or passport to prove it at the entrance.

Official 2026 prices in Hungarian forints (HUF); the euro conversion is approximate and may vary with the exchange rate. Checked on 8 November 2026.

Book your Parliament ticket in advance

How to get there

It's in Kossuth Lajos tér, right in the centre of Pest, on the banks of the Danube. The easiest way to get there is by metro to the stop of the same name on the M2 line (the red one), which drops you practically at the door.

Visiting hours

The Parliament welcomes visitors almost every day of the year, but not on Hungarian national holidays (for example, 1 January, 15 March, Easter Sunday and Monday, 1 May, 20 August, 23 October, 1 November and 24–26 December). On 15 March, 20 August and 23 October there's usually a free open day, with long queues and no regular guided tours. Check the closing days before you go.

The Parliament can also cancel visits, even right before you go in, because of parliamentary sessions or state events. If that happens to you, ask whoever sold you the ticket for a refund or a new date.

Before you go: where to enter and what to bring

• Where to enter: tours start from the Visitor Centre, on the north side of the building (at the end of Balassi Bálint utca), not from the steps of the main façade.
• Documents: bring your ticket (on your phone is fine) and your ID card or passport. If you've bought the EU or student rate, you need to be able to prove it (students with their student card).
• Bags and bottles: you can't go in with suitcases, large bags or anything that could hurt someone. In your hand luggage you can only carry bottles of up to half a litre; anything else has to be left at the cloakroom.
• Arrive early: there's a security check before the visit, so it's a good idea to be at the Visitor Centre a little before your time slot.

What you'll see on the guided tour

The tour lasts around 45–50 minutes in total, including the security check, and takes in the Main Staircase, the Dome Hall (where the Holy Crown of Hungary and the coronation jewels are kept) and the Hall and Lounge of the former Upper House. The guide tells you about the history, the architecture and the artworks along the way.

You can do it with an official guide in Hungarian, English, French, German, Italian or Spanish, or with an audio guide, which is available in many more languages.

What to see around the Parliament: the statues of Kossuth Square

A tip: arrive half an hour before your slot and use it to walk around the building. Kossuth Square is almost an open-air museum, with statues and memorials that tell a good part of Hungary's history, and wandering around it is free. These are the ones you shouldn't miss:

• The Lajos Kossuth Memorial: in front of the Parliament, dedicated to the leader of the 1848–1849 revolution who gives the square its name.
• The equestrian statue of Francis II Rákóczi: also in front of the main façade, honouring the prince who led Hungary's fight for independence in the early 18th century.

• The Gyula Andrássy and István Tisza memorials: one on each side of the building. They were two of the most important politicians of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and their memorials were rebuilt during the major renovation of the square in 2014.
• The Attila József statue: south of the Parliament, on a small grassy mound facing the river. The poet is shown sitting, recalling his poem "By the Danube", and it's one of the prettiest spots for a photo.
• The 1956 memorial: beneath the square, in a former ventilation tunnel, there's a memorial to the victims of the shooting on 25 October 1956, with photos, videos and candles.
• The Shoes on the Danube Bank: about 300 metres south along the riverside promenade is one of the most moving memorials in the city: 60 pairs of iron shoes remembering the Jews murdered on the bank of the Danube in 1944 and 1945. If you're going with kids, it's worth explaining it to them before you get there.

And if you want to see the whole Parliament with its reflection in the river, cross to the other bank: from Batthyány Square, in Buda, you get the building's most famous photo, especially at sunset. Many free walking tours of Budapest pass through Kossuth Square and tell you the story behind its statues.

As a family: can you visit with kids?

Yes, no problem, although there are a few rules you should know. Children under 14 must always be accompanied by an adult, and if you're bringing a little one under 6, they go in free. In that case, though, you need to request the family ticket by email from the Parliament beforehand (idegenforgalom@parlament.hu); you can't just turn up at the ticket office.

If you're travelling as a family, there's also a discounted family ticket (you'll find it in the table above). It's valid for one or two adults travelling with at least one child aged up to 14, with a maximum of two adult tickets and three child tickets (ages 6 to 14) per family.

Fun facts about the Budapest Parliament

Although the project was awarded in 1885, the Parliament was inaugurated (still not quite finished) in 1896, to celebrate the thousandth anniversary of the Hungarian state. Work carried on for a few more years, into the 20th century.

Another curious fact: around 40 kilos of 23-carat gold were used in its decoration. No wonder it shines so much.

More than 700,000 people visit it every year. So if you're wondering why you need to book so far ahead, there's your answer.

Other ways to see the Parliament

If you can't get a ticket for the inside, or you simply want to take it in calmly from outside, there are two ways to enjoy it: on a boat trip on the Danube, which passes in front of the lit-up façade (beautiful at night), or on a free walking tour of central Budapest, which usually stops here.

Is the Budapest Parliament worth visiting?

For us, without a doubt. It's one of those places that really impresses, because the inside lives up to what the façade promises. The only thing to bear in mind is that it doesn't depend only on you: if there's a session or an official event, they can cancel the visit at short notice, so book early, but keep a plan B up your sleeve for that time slot just in case. If you don't have yours yet, you can book your Parliament ticket right here.

Where to stay near the Parliament

District V, between the Parliament, the Basilica and the Danube, is the most convenient area to stay if it's your first time in Budapest. These are three hotels I recommend within walking distance of Kossuth Square:

• Hotel Vision Budapest: a highly rated four-star hotel with good value for money, right in the centre.
• Kempinski Hotel Corvinus: on Erzsébet tér, with an indoor pool and spa.
• Aria Hotel Budapest: a music-themed luxury hotel next to the Basilica, with a rooftop bar.

You might also like

If you're going to use public transport a lot or visit several museums, take a look at the Budapest Card: what's included and how much it costs to see if it's worth it. And if it's your first time in the city, don't miss 10 things you can't miss in Budapest and 10 interesting facts you didn't know about Budapest.