Updated in September 2026, this St Stephen’s Basilica guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see.
St Stephen’s Basilica is a Roman Catholic basilica in the centre of Budapest, Hungary, and the largest church in the city. As of September 2026, every visitor needs a ticket, including for the church hall. Many older guides still describe free entry or a voluntary donation. Opening hours were checked on the official website in September 2026, when this guide was last updated.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Church hall Mon–Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 1pm–6pm; Panorama Terrace and Treasury daily 9am–7pm |
| Ticket prices | Adult church hall 2,600 HUF; terrace and treasury 5,000 HUF; all-in-one 6,800 HUF |
| Address | Szent István tér 1, 1051 Budapest |
| Nearest transport/parking | Metro M3 Arany János utca or M1 Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út; no dedicated car park |
| Typical time needed | 45 minutes to 1.5 hours; longer with the terrace |
St Stephen’s Basilica opening hours
The church hall opens Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday from 1pm to 6pm. The Panorama Terrace and Treasury open every day from 9am to 7pm.
Church hall visits can be limited on weekends because of wedding ceremonies. Mass follows a separate timetable: weekdays at 7am in Mary’s Chapel and 6pm in the Basilica.
St Stephen’s Basilica ticket prices
Adult tickets cost 2,600 HUF for the church hall, 5,000 HUF for the Panorama Terrace and Treasury, and 6,800 HUF for the all-in-one ticket. Children under 6 enter free.
Children under 18, students and seniors (65+) pay 2,000 HUF, 4,000 HUF and 5,500 HUF respectively. Groups of 15 or more pay 1,800 HUF, 4,000 HUF and 5,200 HUF per person. Discounts are sold only at the ticket office, on presentation of ID.
The Budapest Card gives 20% off admission. The card also gives free entry to the Hungarian National Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery, the Museum of Fine Arts and Kunsthalle Budapest.
Opening hours were checked on the official website, and ticket prices were cross-checked against the official ticket portal figures. Both were last updated in September 2026. Buy tickets online or see the official ticket prices page.
Why book the Budapest Card?
- Unlimited public transport: Use buses, trams, metro and suburban trains across Budapest for the validity of your card.
- Free entry to museums and attractions: Enjoy complimentary access to many of the city’s leading cultural sites, galleries and historic locations.
- Discounts on tours and experiences: Receive reduced prices on river cruises, baths, walking tours and selected partner experiences.
- Flexible validity options: Choose from 24, 48 or 72 hours of sightseeing flexibility to match your travel plans.
- Useful city guide included: Your card comes with a guidebook or digital guide to help you make the most of your time in Budapest.
How to get to St Stephen’s Basilica
The Basilica stands on Szent István tér, in the Lipótváros district of central Pest, close to the Danube.
Arany János utca (Metro M3) and Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út (Metro M1) are each about 5 minutes away on foot. Deák Ferenc tér, where three metro lines meet, is roughly 8 minutes away. The ticket office is next to the Basilica.
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Parking at St Stephen’s Basilica
There’s no dedicated visitor car park.
Central Budapest uses paid street parking zones and several commercial garages nearby. Most visitors arrive by metro or on foot.
How long to spend at St Stephen’s Basilica
Most visitors spend 45 minutes to 1.5 hours in the church hall.
Adding the Panorama Terrace and Treasury takes about another 45 minutes, including queues for the lift.
Accessibility at St Stephen’s Basilica
The official website does not publish detailed accessibility information.
Lifts run to the terrace, so the 304 steps are optional. Disabled visitors can buy a discounted ticket at the ticket office with valid ID. Contact the Basilica on +36 1 311 0839 to check step-free access.
Inside St Stephen’s Basilica
Construction began in 1851 to a classicist design by József Hild. The dome collapsed in 1868, a year after Hild’s death. Miklós Ybl then took over and reworked the design with Renaissance elements.
József Kauser and parish priest Lénárd Lollok shaped the interior after Ybl’s death in 1891. The church has borne the name of St Stephen, Hungary’s first king, since 1897. It was consecrated in 1905 and renovated between 1983 and 2003.
Inside, the Holy Right, the preserved right hand of St Stephen, is the best-known relic. Visitors can also see the main altar and side altars dedicated to St Adalbert, the Holy Cross, St Joseph, St Imre and St Cecilia.
The Panorama Terrace is a stone gallery 65 metres above the ground, around the main dome. It offers a 360-degree view of Budapest. Visitors can take a lift or climb the 304 steps.
The Treasury displays church objects from Hungary’s Christian history. The building is about 96 metres tall, the same height as the Hungarian Parliament.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on a weekday morning, since Sunday hall access starts at 1pm. |
| Crowds | Weekends can be busier and restricted by weddings, so check the calendar first. |
| Layout | The church hall, the Treasury and the terrace lifts are separate areas, so choose the ticket type that covers them. |
| Entry process | Tickets are checked at the entrance. Buy them at the office next to the Basilica or online. |
| On-site logistics | An English-language Mass runs on Sundays at 4pm. Worship follows separate access rules. |
Frequently asked questions about St Stephen’s Basilica
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is St Stephen’s Basilica suitable for children? | Yes. Children under 6 enter free, and those under 18 pay 2,000 HUF for the church hall. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for St Stephen’s Basilica? | No. You can buy at the ticket office, but online tickets are available. |
| Is St Stephen’s Basilica open on Sundays? | Yes, from 1pm to 6pm for the church hall, and 9am to 7pm for the terrace and treasury. |
| Is St Stephen’s Basilica free to enter? | No. All visitors need a ticket, although Mass attendees follow separate rules. |
| Can you go up the dome at St Stephen’s Basilica? | Yes. Take a lift or climb 304 steps to the terrace, which needs its own ticket. |
Things to do near St Stephen’s Basilica
- Hungarian Parliament Building — the riverside Neo-Gothic parliament, about a 10-minute walk away.
- Shoes on the Danube Bank — a memorial on the riverbank, about a 10-minute walk away.
- Széchenyi Chain Bridge — the historic suspension bridge to Buda, about a 10-minute walk away.
- Dohány Street Synagogue — Europe’s largest synagogue, about a 10–12 minute walk away.
- Liberty Square (Szabadság tér) — a large public square with monuments, about a 7-minute walk away.
Alternative attractions
- Vác Cathedral — about 45 minutes away, a Neoclassical cathedral on the Danube.
- Székesfehérvár Cathedral Basilica — about 1 hour away, in a historic royal coronation city.
- Esztergom Basilica — about 1 hour away, the largest church in Hungary.
- Győr Cathedral — about 1 hour 30 minutes away, a cathedral with medieval origins.
- Eger Basilica — about 1 hour 30 minutes away, a large Neoclassical basilica.
More Budapest travel
Other Budapest travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Your handy guide to riding the Budapest Castle Funicular.
- House of Terror Museum guide with ticket prices and opening hours.
- What to know before visiting the Hospital in the Rock in Budapest.
- Budapest Castle Labyrinth visitor guide.
- Plan your visit to the Matthias Church in Buda.
