Hungarian Parliament Building Tickets & Tours
Perfect for history lovers who prefer exploring on their own
With the audio guide available in many languages, you can walk around at your own pace and learn the stories behind this masterpiece.
Perfect for first-time visitors who want to see it all in one trip
Join a 4.5-hour guided tour and see the city’s top sights without waiting in line:
🏛️ Hungarian Parliament Building: skip the line and see the stunning architecture inside
🏰 Castle District: go around the historic streets, enjoy the views, and feel the city’s history
⛰️ Gellért Hill: climb or stroll for some of the best panoramic spots in Budapest
🌳 City Park: relax, take a walk, and enjoy the green spaces
Along the way, live guide will share stories, fun facts, and hidden gems to make the tour even more memorable.
Benefits
Tickets and Prices
You can choose between an entry ticket with an audio guide or a guided tour which gives you a Parliament tour with a fantastic live guide in multiple languages. Keep in mind that prices differ for EEA and non-EEA visitors.
Book 2 or more experiences together and enjoy up to 5% off!
Plan Your Visit
| Period | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| November 1 – March 31 | 8:00 – 16:00 (daily) |
| April 1 – October 31 | 8:00 – 18:00 (daily) |
Tip:
The best time to visit the Hungarian Parliament Building is in the morning when crowds are smaller and the lighting is perfect for photos, especially on the riverside.
Thanks to its central location, the Hungarian Parliament Building is easily accessible by several modes of transport:
The main entrance for visitors is on the building’s eastern side, facing Kossuth Lajos tér. Look for the area marked for guided tours and the ticket office, and follow the signs for Parliament visitors.
Visitors with visual or mobility impairments can join the Parliament tour, with ramps at the main entrance and lifts inside that take you to most areas open to visitors.
To make your visit smooth, the staff ask for a heads-up by emailing tourist.office@parlament.hu before you arrive.
- Dress appropriately. This is a functioning government building. Smart casual is expected; anything too casual or revealing isn’t acceptable.
- All visitors pass through a security check. Large bags, sharp objects, and anything weapon-like aren’t allowed inside. Jackets can be left at the free coat check, but bags aren’t stored.
- You can bring up to 0.5L of clear, non-alcoholic drinks in a sturdy plastic bottle. Medications and baby food or formula are also allowed.
- Photography and video are permitted throughout, except inside the Dome Hall, where they’re forbidden to protect the Holy Crown.
- No eating, drinking, or smoking anywhere in the building.
- Flags, protest instruments, and symbols of dictatorship are all forbidden. Shouting, singing, and demonstrating inside aren’t permitted either.
- Don’t sit, kneel, or lie on the stairs, floors, or furniture.
- Leave noise-making devices (whistles, megaphones, etc.) at home. Don’t disturb or impede staff while they’re working.
- Follow your tour guide’s instructions. Security will escort anyone who doesn’t comply out of the building.
What to See & Do
You’ll see the Parliament’s most stunning halls and treasures on your guided tour. This building has housed Hungary’s National Assembly for over a century and reflects the nation’s rich history in every detail.
The City Side Staircase XVII
Your tour kicks off on the gold-plated City Side Staircase XVII, one of 28 staircases in the Parliament. It takes you to the main floor, considered the building’s most spectacular level, where statues of Hungarian leaders and saints stand beside stained-glass windows and frescoes.
From here, you can also glimpse the renovated Kossuth Square, Hungary’s symbolic “Main Square of the Nation.”
The Grand Stairway
MatteoGabrieli/DepositphotosContinue onto the Grand Stairway, one of the Parliament’s showstoppers. Károly Lotz, Hungary’s most famous fresco artist, painted its vaulted ceilings.
Look out for the eight massive granite columns, which are so rare they had to be shipped from Sweden. Miksa Róth’s stained-glass windows bathe the staircase in color, adding to its dramatic effect.
The Dome Hall
pajche/DepositphotosThe Dome Hall is home to the Hungarian Holy Crown and Coronation Insignia, guarded by the elite Crown Guard 24/7. It’s the most sacred room in the Parliament, so photos are forbidden.
Fun fact: the crown is over 800 years old and has travelled across Europe before returning to Hungary.
The Lounge of the Chamber of Peers
MatteoGabrieli/DepositphotosThe next stop is an ornate lounge decorated with pyrogranite sculptures from the world-renowned Zsolnay Factory, known for their durability and detail. Each figure represents traditional Hungarian trades and communities, offering a glimpse into the nation’s cultural past.
The Chamber of Peers
tupungato/DepositphotosOnce seating 453 members in seven rows, the Chamber of Peers is designed in a horseshoe shape for better acoustics. Oak panels, golden accents, and murals of Hungary’s royal dynasties line the space.
It serves as a conference venue today, but it still feels like stepping back into Hungary’s political golden age.
The Béla Neÿ Hall
The final stop is full of curiosities, including the red star that once sat on the Parliament’s dome during the Communist era. There’s also a copper soldier statue and a detailed 1:100 scale model of the entire building.
Interactive screens and plaster models explain behind-the-scenes details on how the Parliament was constructed in just 17 years, making it one of Europe’s largest and fastest-built legislative buildings.
Did You Know That? Facts
- The Parliament has 691 rooms, 28 staircases, 10 courtyards, and nearly 20 kilometres of corridors.
- Almost half a million precious stones, 40 million bricks and 40 kilograms of gold were used to build and decorate the Parliament.
- The Parliament’s dome is 96 metres tall, a symbolic number marking Hungary’s founding in 896 AD.
- Heating and cooling originally ran through a system of pipes from a huge boiler house two blocks away, with ice blocks used for summer cooling.
- The Hungarian Holy Crown inside is older than the building, dating back over 800 years. Naturally, soldiers guard the crown 24/7.
Insider Tips
History
1882
An international competition launches to design Hungary’s new Parliament building.
1885
Construction begins under architect Imre Steindl, inspired by London’s neo-Gothic Westminster Palace.
1896
The central dome and parts of the building are completed in time for Hungary’s 1000th-anniversary celebrations.
1902
The Parliament was officially inaugurated, though construction continued until 1904.
1944 – 1945
The building suffers damage during World War II, particularly from bombings and the Siege of Budapest.
1949
Hungary became a communist state, and the red star was placed atop the Parliament dome.
1989
The red star is removed following the fall of communism, marking the beginning of democratic reforms.
2000
The Hungarian Holy Crown is moved from the National Museum to the Parliament Dome Hall for permanent display.
2014
A major renovation of Kossuth Square is completed, restoring the Parliament’s surrounds.
FAQs
How do I get tickets for the Hungarian Parliament?
The Parliament is visitable by guided tour only, and the tour runs at set times, so booking ahead is the safe way to get in. Tours sell out fast in peak season. You can book Hungarian Parliament tickets online and pick your time slot, then arrive about 15 minutes early for the security check.
Can I visit the Parliament without a guided tour?
No. The interior is open by guided tour only, with timed entry. There is no general walk-in admission, so you join a scheduled tour to see the inside. You can choose a live guided tour or an entry ticket with an audio guide if you prefer to go at your own pace.
How much do Parliament tickets cost?
Prices depend on which ticket you pick and on your nationality, since rates differ for EEA and non-EEA visitors. Bring your passport or EU ID, especially for a discounted ticket, as staff check it. Current prices and availability show at checkout when you book your tickets.
Is the Parliament included on the Budapest Pass?
Yes. The Budapest Pass includes a Grand City Tour with a skip-the-line guided walk through the Hungarian Parliament, alongside the Castle District, Gellért Hill, and City Park. The pass also comes with a 10% discount code you can use on Parliament tickets and other Budapest attractions.
How long is the Parliament tour?
The guided tour lasts about 45 minutes and covers the building’s main highlights. Plan a little extra time on top of that for security and check-in before your slot starts.
Which entrance do I use, and how do I get there?
The visitor entrance is on the eastern side of the building, facing Kossuth Lajos tér. Look for the signs marked for guided tours and the ticket office. The closest stop is Kossuth Lajos tér, served by Metro Line 2 (Red), trams 2 and 2A, and buses 15, 115, and 178.
What will I see inside?
The tour takes you through the building’s grandest spaces, including the gold City Side Staircase, the Grand Stairway with its Swedish granite columns and stained glass, and the Dome Hall, where the Hungarian Holy Crown is kept under guard. You will also see the ornate Chamber of Peers and its lounge. Photos are allowed throughout except in the Dome Hall.