Hungarian State Opera House Tickets

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Facade of the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest with ornate architecture.
























































From happy customers

Loved by 47 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5
Lisa certini

Lisa

Jan 2026

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Punctual entry without any particular problems. Friendly, attentive, and helpful staff. Before the tour, I received very detailed emails explaining how to find the meeting point, and if there are any problems, the staff will contact you! The parliament building is definitely worth a visit. The tour lasts about an hour, and audio guides are available in various languages. Everything was fine as far as I'm concerned!
Giulia Tagliaccica
IT

Giulia

Italy
Jan 2026

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A wonderful experience, very well organized and with a very easy audio guide! The parliament is stunning both inside and out and really worth a visit! I recommend it!
Sheila Elizabeth Mitchell

Sheila

Jan 2026
The tour was excellent though the bus windows could have been cleaner to enable photos. Unfortunately the cruise element was cancelled due to ice in the river which was a disappointment
Erika Vasko-Mate
US

Erika

United States
Sep 2025
The hop on and hop off bus is convenient all day long. We were able to experience a beautiful sight seeing. The boat tour and a walking tour is a bonus thank you for that. Szechenyi Bath is magnificent. This package deal wre highly recommend to everyone. Thank you again! Sincerely, Erika and Steve From California
Paolo Molteni

Paolo

Dec 2025
Very good experience and fully satifing, the guide was great and the tour well organizerd with all attractions visited and fully explained, top tour recommended
Nicola Jane Coleman

Nicola

Oct 2025
Easy to locate the start point. All the representatives around the city were really helpful in guiding us to the right place. A good way to see many of the major sights. The onboard commentary was good.

Top things to do in Budapest

Hungarian State Opera House, where Budapest's artistic spirit comes alive

Rising elegantly along Andrássy Avenue, this Neo-Renaissance masterpiece designed by Miklós Ybl is one of Budapest’s most celebrated cultural landmarks, famed for its gilded interiors, frescoed ceilings, and near-perfect acoustics beneath a monumental chandelier. Opened in 1884, it has long stood at the heart of Hungarian musical life, staging internationally acclaimed opera and ballet performances within one of Europe’s most intimate and visually striking opera houses.

Quick overview

  • Ways to explore: Choose from a 60-minute small-group guided Opera House tour, guided city and walking tours, or flexible hop-on hop-off sightseeing with audio guides.
  • Additional access: Upgrade with combo tickets that pair the Opera House with the Hungarian Parliament, plus optional city routes, walking tours, and Danube cruises.
  • Unique experiences: Step inside the Neo-Renaissance Opera House interiors or combine landmark entry with panoramic river views and citywide sightseeing in one itinerary.
  • Queues & access: Entry is guided and timed for the Opera House and Parliament; hop-on hop-off tours do not include attraction entry and may queue at busy stops.
  • When to book: Reserve guided Opera House and Parliament tours 2 to 3 weeks ahead, especially in peak season (June to August); hop-on hop-off passes are more flexible.
  • Good to know: Guided tours run 60 minutes; city tours range from 2 to 3 hours; hop-on hop-off passes last 24 to 72 hours; cancellation policies vary by ticket.
  • Best upgrade: If unsure, pick the Opera House + Parliament combo for the most complete landmark access in one booking.

See ticket comparison ↓

Which Opera House ticket is best for you?

ExperienceIncludesGuideWhy pick thisStarts from
Guided tour

Guided access to the Grand Auditorium, foyer, boxes, & Grand Staircase

Live guide in English, German, French, Spanish, or Italian

Direct, timed entry with structured storytelling inside the Opera House

€28

Parliament combo

Guided Opera House tour plus entry to Parliament interiors

Live guide or audio guide depending on option selected

Covers two landmark interiors in one booking with coordinated timing

€28

City tour & Castle walk

Panoramic bus tour, Castle Hill walk, landmark photo stops

Live multilingual guide throughout the route

See major Budapest sights efficiently without planning routes

€28

Walking tour of Pest

Walking route past Basilica, Parliament, Danube, & Liberty Square

English-speaking professional city guide

Slower, street-level exploration with historical context

€14

City sightseeing HOHO + cruise

24 to 72h hop-on hop-off routes, Danube cruise, walking tour

Multilingual audio guide on bus and cruise

Maximum flexibility to explore the city over multiple days

€35.10

Big Bus HOHO + cruise

Hop-on hop-off bus route, Danube cruise, guided walk

Multilingual audio guide on bus and cruise

Open-top bus views with fewer stops and a simpler route

€35.10

What to expect at the Hungarian State Opera House

Red marble columns and ornate ceiling in the Hungarian State Opera House, Budapest.
Grand staircase and ornate hallway inside the Hungarian State Opera, Budapest.
Hungarian State Opera House interior with ornate ceiling fresco and chandelier.
Tour guide with guests inside the Hungarian State Opera, admiring the ornate interior.
Wide angle view of ornate ceiling and chandeliers in the Hungarian State Opera, Budapest.
Hungarian Parliament building along the Danube River in Budapest.
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Arrive on Andrássy Avenue

Step through the main entrance into a calm, formal space where marble floors, gilded columns, and filtered daylight set a formal, almost ceremonial mood.

Move through the public interiors

Walk the Grand Staircase and foyers, noticing intricate stonework, patterned tiles, and painted ceilings as sound softens and the scale of the building gradually unfolds.

Enter the Grand Auditorium

Stand inside the horseshoe-shaped hall with velvet seating and gilded balconies, then gaze upward at Károly Lotz’s The Apotheosis of Music crowning the ceiling above.

Add context with a guided tour

A live guide explains the Opera House’s acoustics, architectural choices, and historic premieres, giving structure and meaning to spaces explored during the 60-minute route.

Take in the working opera house

Even without a performance, you feel its purpose in the layout, sightlines, and quiet anticipation built into every corridor and viewing angle.

Extend the experience beyond the Opera

Combo tickets continue to the** Hungarian Parliament ****or city tours, shifting from interior artistry to Budapest’s broader political and urban landscape.

Things to know before booking your Hungarian State Opera House tickets

  • Booking window and demand: Guided Opera House tours run on fixed schedules and regularly sell out from April through October, with the highest demand in June, July, and September. If you want a specific language or time slot, we recommend booking 3 to 7 days in advance.
  • Entry type and queues: There is no general walk-in or free-roam entry. All visits are guided and timed, allowing you to skip the ticket-purchase line, though a short security check of about 5 to 10 minutes is still required before entry.
  • What's included: Tours include access to the Opera House’s public interiors only, such as the Grand Auditorium, ornate foyers, boxes, and the Grand Staircase. Backstage areas, rehearsals, and live performances are not included.
  • Ways to explore: With limited interior signage, an expert guide leads the visit, providing context on the Opera House’s architecture, acoustics, ceiling artwork, and historic premieres during a 60-minute tour.
  • Group size and pacing: Tours operate in small groups of up to 30 guests, allowing you to move comfortably through the Opera House while clearly hearing your guide and seeing key details. Independent wandering inside the Opera House is not permitted once the tour begins.
  • Combo passes: With combo tickets, you can visit the **Opera House alongside the Hungarian Parliament or on a guided city tour. Each attraction runs on a timed entry, and some options include transfers while others require you to travel independently.
  • City and sightseeing passes: Hop-on hop-off bus tours and Danube cruises run for 24 to 72 hours, making them a good fit if you want flexible sightseeing between guided visits and time to explore Budapest at your own pace.

A closer look inside Budapest’s Opera House

Grand Staircase with red carpet in Hungarian State Opera, Budapest.

Grand Staircase

An opulent marble staircase lined with gilded details and sculptures, designed to impress arriving guests and set the tone for an evening of elegance and spectacle.

Interior balconies of Hungarian State Opera House, Budapest, with ornate gold detailing and red drapery.
Ceiling frescoes with intricate designs inside Hungarian State Opera.
Guests with tour guide inside the ornate Hungarian State Opera House.
Statue of composer Franz Liszt in front of Budapest opera house.

Plan your visit to Hungarian State Opera House

Foyer ceiling and columns of Hungarian State Opera House with ornate designs.
  • Daily: 10am to 7pm
  • Duration of visit: 60 minutes
  • Best time to visit: The best months to visit are April to June and September to October, when Budapest is lively but not overcrowded and the opera season is in full swing. Aim for a weekday visit, preferably late morning or early afternoon, for a quieter atmosphere and better chances of joining a guided tour.

Notes: On performance days, you can visit the opera house until the end of the first interval, depending on the show. During the 30 minutes before the performance begins, advance sales pause, and ticketing is reserved for guests attending that evening’s performance.

Address: Budapest, Andrássy út 22, 1061 Hungary
Find on maps

  • By metro: Take Metro Line M1 and get off at Opera station, which exits directly beside the building on Andrássy Avenue; this is the fastest and most direct option from the city center.
  • By tram: Use Tram 4 or 6, Budapest’s main ring trams, and get off at Oktogon. From there, walk about 5 minutes along Andrássy Avenue toward the city center to reach the opera house.
  • By bus: Several buses serve nearby streets, including Bus 105, which stops at Andrássy út. From the stop, it’s a short walk to the main entrance.
  • By taxi/ride-share: Taxis can drop you directly on Andrássy Avenue near the main entrance. Ask for 'Magyar Állami Operaház' to avoid confusion, especially during busy performance evenings.
  • By car: Driving is possible, but parking is limited. Use nearby paid street parking or public garages around Oktogon or Liszt Ferenc Square, then walk a few minutes to the opera house.
  • On foot: From St. Stephen’s Basilica, the opera house is an easy 10 to 12-minute walk along Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Avenue and Andrássy Avenue, making it a pleasant addition to a city-center stroll.
Street view near Hungarian State Opera, Budapest, with taxis and metro sign.
  • Main public entrance (Andrássy Avenue): These three grand doors are the primary entry point for performances and tours, leading into the main foyer and grand staircase. Partially accessible with staff assistance.
  • Side entrance (Dalszínház Street): Used mainly for guided tours, daytime visits, and group access, offering a quieter alternative to the main façade. Accessible and commonly used for step-free entry.
  • Service & accessible entrance: Designated for visitors with mobility needs and operational access, ensuring step-free entry with on-site assistance. Fully accessible with prior coordination or on arrival.
Numbered coat hangers in the cloakroom at London Palace Theatre.
  • Cloakroom: Located near the main foyer, offering complimentary coat and bag storage for visitors attending performances or guided tours.
  • Restrooms: Available on multiple floors throughout the building, including facilities accessible to visitors with mobility needs.
  • Café and bar: Found within the opera house and open before performances and during intervals, serving drinks and light refreshments.
  • Gift shop: Located near the main public areas, offering opera-themed souvenirs, books, and locally inspired keepsakes.
  • Foyers and seating areas: Spacious, richly decorated foyers throughout the building, where you can relax and admire the interiors during breaks.
Girl in a wheelchair holding a smartphone on a city sidewalk.
  • Step-free entrance: A designated accessible entrance allows wheelchair users to enter the building without stairs, with staff available to assist on arrival.
  • Accessible seating: Wheelchair-friendly seating areas are available in the auditorium, offering clear sightlines and proximity to companion seats.
  • Elevator access: Elevators connect key public levels of the opera house, making it easier to move between foyers, seating areas, and facilities.
  • Accessible restrooms: Adapted restrooms are available inside the building and are clearly signposted from the main visitor areas.
  • Staff assistance: Trained staff are on hand to help with entry, seating, and navigation throughout your visit, especially on performance days.
Cup of coffee with latte art served on a wooden table in Hamburg.

The opera house offers a small, refined selection of on-site dining venues, ideal for pre-performance drinks, light meals, or interval refreshments.

  • Opera Café: Elegant café-bar inside the opera house serving Hungarian classics and light international fare at mid-range prices in a relaxed, pre-show setting.
    Must-try dish: Hungarian desserts with coffee or Tokaji wine
  • Opera Bistro: Stylish, modern bistro connected to the opera house, offering seasonal Hungarian-European cuisine at moderate prices with a refined yet approachable vibe.
    Must-try dish: Duck breast with seasonal accompaniments
  • Interval bars & buffets: Historic foyer bars offering champagne, wine, and small bites exclusively for ticket holders during performances and intervals.
    Must-try item: Sparkling wine enjoyed beneath the frescoed ceilings

Visitor tips & guidelines

  • Choose side stalls or first-tier boxes for the best balance of acoustics and sightlines rather than higher balcony seats.
  • Arrive at least 30 minutes early to explore the foyers and staircases, which are often quieter before the main rush.
  • During intervals, step into the side foyers to avoid queues and enjoy calmer views of the building’s details.
  • Sit slightly toward the center of a row, as aisle seats can have brief sightline interruptions from late arrivals.
  • If you are sensitive to sound, avoid seats directly beneath overhangs, as acoustics can vary subtly by section.
  • Bring a light jacket year-round, as the auditorium can feel cool once the performance begins.
  • Avoid large bags, since cloakroom queues move faster for visitors with coats only.
  • Use the Dalszínház Street entrance for daytime visits, which is often less busy than the main façade.
  • Take a moment to look up in secondary foyers, where smaller frescoes and details are easy to miss.
  • Plan a post-performance stroll along Andrássy Avenue, as the building is beautifully lit and crowds thin quickly.

Frequently asked questions about Hungarian State Opera House tickets

Yes, Hungarian State Opera House guided tours run on fixed time slots and often sell out several days ahead, especially from April to October, so we recommend booking at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance.