There is no walk-in entry to the Hungarian Parliament. Every visitor goes in on a 45-minute guided tour booked online in advance, and the popular English-language slots between 10:00 and 15:00 sell out 2 to 4 weeks ahead in summer. Booking late means accepting whichever scraps are left: usually a 17:00 slot in another language, or no slot at all.
This page breaks down the ticket types, the EU/non-EU price split, what to expect when you arrive, and the booking moves that save you the on-site Visitor Centre queue.
Hungarian Parliament Tickets
The Parliament uses timed-entry tours, so booking online is the easiest way to lock in the slot you want. If your preferred slot is unavailable, check the combo tickets too before changing your dates.
Standard Parliament Tour
Best value: direct timed entry to the official 45-minute guided tour. EU/EEA citizens pay roughly half the rate non-EU visitors pay. Book online to avoid the Visitor Centre queue.
Castle District + Parliament Combo Tour
Best for short trips: a half-day combo with hotel-area pickup, an English-speaking guide through Buda Castle, and skip-the-line entry to the Parliament.
Budapest Card
Save with a city pass: includes the Hungarian Parliament tour with required reservation, plus 30+ other attractions, free public transport, and audio walking tours of the Castle District and Jewish Quarter.
Photo ID is required for EU/EEA-rate and student tickets, with spot checks at the gate. Combo tours typically allow free cancellation 24 hours ahead; direct tickets are non-refundable within 24 hours. State events can cancel tours at short notice; refunds are processed automatically.
For the full breakdown of every ticket type and what each one suits, see the sections below.
Why Book in Advance
- The Parliament caps daily visitor numbers and operates on a fixed schedule of 45-minute tour slots.
- Same-day Visitor Centre tickets exist but are unreliable in summer; English-language slots in the 10:00 to 15:00 window are usually the first to sell out.
- Booking ahead is the simplest way to lock in your preferred date and time without losing half a day to queueing.
- Online tickets ship as a mobile QR code, so there is no print step or paper handling at the gate.
Tickets & Prices
There are a few ways to visit the Parliament, from the standard 45-minute tour to combo options that pair the Parliament with Buda Castle. Each option below covers what is included and when it makes sense.
Standard Parliament Tour (direct)
The simplest option and the one most visitors book. You get timed entry on the official 45-minute guided tour, with live commentary in your booked language and an audio guide handset (23 languages available). EU/EEA citizens pay roughly half the rate non-EU visitors pay; student rates apply ages 6 to 24.
- Live tours run every 30 minutes through the day in 8+ languages
- Audio guide handset in 23 languages included
- Most flexible scheduling and language choice
Student & Under-6 Tickets
Students aged 6 to 24 get a discounted rate within both the EU and non-EU pricing tiers, with a valid student card (ISIC, EYCA, or equivalent). Children under 6 enter free, but a zero-cost ticket must still be added to the booking so the head count is correct at the gate.
Castle District + Hungarian Parliament Combo Tour
A half-day guided tour bundling Buda Castle with skip-the-line entry to the Parliament. Hotel-area pickup, transport between sites, and an English-speaking guide are all included. Best for first-time visitors and short trips where you want both landmarks in one morning without juggling separate bookings.
Budapest Card
The Budapest Card includes free entry to the Hungarian Parliament tour with required reservation through the official ticketing partner. The Card also covers 30+ other attractions, free public transport, and audio walking tours of the Castle District and Jewish Quarter. If you are visiting more than two paid attractions during your trip, the Card usually works out cheaper than buying separate tickets.
Where to Buy
Online (recommended): book in advance online, or check the combo tours. You receive a mobile QR code by email and show it at the gate. Better availability for popular English-language slots, especially on weekends and through the summer.
On-site (walk-up): same-day tickets are sold at the Visitor Centre on the south side of Kossuth Lajos tér, but availability is unpredictable. On busy days the remaining slots can be late afternoon only. Best for last-minute weekday visits in shoulder season, when you can adjust your plans if your preferred time is not available.
How to Book
Pick your tour
Direct standard tour, Castle District + Parliament combo, or use a Budapest Card. The combo is the easiest first-time choice; the direct tour suits longer stays.
Choose a time slot
Tours run every 30 minutes through the day. English-language slots between 10:00 and 15:00 are the first to fill up; book 2 to 4 weeks ahead in summer.
Receive your confirmation
You get a mobile QR code by email straight after booking. Save it offline for the day in case the Visitor Centre Wi-Fi is patchy.
Arrive 20 minutes early
The booked time is when the tour starts, not when you join the queue. Allow time for security and the cloakroom routine. Late arrivals may be admitted to a later slot subject to availability.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Ticket validity: valid only for the booked date and 45-minute time slot. Tickets cannot be used on a different date and are non-transferable.
- Photo ID: required for EU/EEA-rate and student tickets. A passport, national ID card, or driving licence is fine.
- Security: all visitors pass through airport-style security on the way in. The check is usually quick but expect a short wait during busy periods.
- Cloakroom: bags larger than a small daypack must be left in the (free) cloakroom. Liquids over 100ml may be confiscated at security.
- Photography: allowed in most rooms with no flash and no tripods. Photography is not allowed in the Holy Crown chamber.
- State events: the Parliament can cancel tours at short notice for state events, foreign visits, and full parliamentary sessions. Refunds are processed automatically.
- Pace: the 45-minute tour is fixed-pace; you cannot pause or branch off. Strollers cannot enter the tour route and must be left in the cloakroom.
- Check our opening hours guide for the best slots to avoid crowds, and our how to get there guide for transport.