Budapest weather by month

When to go to Budapest

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: July, August. July is the wettest month (72 mm, about 10 rainy days) and January the driest (36 mm).

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD, 18 km from Budapest) takes roughly 2 h 36 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Budapest.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Budapest between 1991 and 2020 reached 38.4°C on 20 July 2007; the coldest fell to -21.5°C on 28 December 1996. In July one day in ten tops 31.9°C and about 24% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to -8.2°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was July 1999 with 180 mm, against a July average of 72 mm.

Spring: a gradual shift from coats to lighter layers

March is still cool rather than reliably mild: days average 11°C and nights drop to 1°C, so keep a proper coat in your bag. April offers a more comfortable balance for walking, with daytime averages of 17°C, although evenings still call for warm layers. May feels noticeably warmer at 21°C by day and 11°C at night, making it a good choice if you dislike summer heat. The catch is rain: May averages 12 rain days, so warmth does not mean consistently dry weather. Pack a light waterproof and keep outdoor plans flexible rather than expecting uninterrupted sunshine.

Summer: the warmest days, with rain still in the mix

June brings daytime averages of 25°C and nights of 15°C, a useful balance for travellers who want warmth without choosing the hottest months. July and August both average 27°C by day and 17°C at night, so light clothing makes sense, with a spare layer for sitting outside late. Plan longer walks earlier or later if midday warmth bothers you. August has the stronger dry-weather balance, averaging 8 rain days against July's 10, while both offer 8 hours of sunshine. July is also the wettest month by rainfall amount, so a waterproof remains useful even at the height of summer.

Autumn and winter: mild walking weather gives way to cold nights

September is the strongest autumn option for warmth, averaging 21°C by day and 13°C at night, with 6 hours of sunshine. October drops to 16°C by day: still reasonable for walking in layers, but evenings at 8°C call for a jacket. November feels much colder, with days at 9°C and limited sunshine, making a mix of outdoor time and indoor breaks more appealing. December and January suit travellers comfortable with cold rather than those seeking warmth. Daytime averages are 4°C and 3°C respectively, with nights below freezing. February improves to 6°C by day, but nights remain at -2°C. Bring a warm coat, gloves and footwear suited to cold, potentially wet conditions; winter is not reliably dry despite its lower temperatures.