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How to Book a Trip to Hungary's Thermal Baths

How to · Travel

How to Book a Trip to Hungary's Thermal Baths

Soak in Budapest's historic spas without draining your savings by breaking your travel costs into manageable monthly payments.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $2,200 before anything else
Across the 0% window $122.22/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $2,200 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Budapest in late spring or early autumn is perfect. The air is crisp, the crowds are thinner, and the water in the thermal baths stays warm enough to make the steam rise beautifully against the historic architecture. It is a quiet, restorative way to see the city before the peak heat of summer hits.

A trip like this usually runs about $2200. To manage that cost, you can use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, which offers 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This lets you spread the expense over 18 months rather than paying it all at once.

This is not free money. If you have a balance left over when your 18-month intro window ends, the card will start charging interest on that remaining amount.

The steps

  1. 01

    Pick your dates

    Aim for May or September. You get the best weather for walking between the baths and the cafes. Prices for flights are also usually lower than in the dead of July.

  2. 02

    Find your base

    Look for a place near the District VII area. It puts you within walking distance of Széchenyi and Gellért baths. Being close saves you money on taxis and transit.

  3. 03

    Use your intro window

    Use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card for your booking. The 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening means you have an 18-month window to pay off the $2200 without interest.

  4. 04

    Set your payment schedule

    Divide your total by the number of months you have left. If you put the full $2200 on the card, you should aim for $122.22 per month. Set up an automatic transfer so you don't miss a payment.

  5. 05

    Book your baths early

    Buy your tickets online before you arrive. It saves time in the queue so you can get straight to the water. Some baths offer multi-day passes that are cheaper than single entries.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

What happens if I miss a monthly payment?

Missing a payment can lead to late fees and might end your 0% promotional rate early. Keep the account in good standing to get the full benefit of the 18 months.

Are the thermal baths expensive?

Entry fees are reasonable, usually costing between $20 and $30 per visit. Bringing your own towel and flip-flops will save you a few extra dollars on rentals.

Is it better to pay it off faster?

Yes. Paying it off faster saves you from having a lingering debt. If you can afford to pay more than $122.22 a month, do it.

Does this card have an annual fee?

No, this card has no annual fee. That makes it a good tool for managing a one-time travel expense without extra costs piling up.