Weather in Budapest in December

How December compares

December is the 11th warmest month of the year in Budapest and ranks 133rd of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Budapest is 4.1°C cooler by day and 4.5°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Budapest peaks at 3.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 8.6°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average -1.8°C; one night in ten drops to -7.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 16.3°C (2017-12-12) and the coldest night -21.5°C (1996-12-28).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 44 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2005 with 88 mm, the driest 2013 with 3 mm. Humidity averages 85%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 2.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 8.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:25 and sets about 15:53 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 71%.

Is December a good time to visit Budapest?

December is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Budapest on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Expect a colder trip than London

Budapest is noticeably colder than London in December, where the average daytime high is 7.7°C. A proper winter coat, gloves, a scarf and warm footwear make more sense than relying on a light jacket. Layers are useful when moving between outdoors and indoors, but don't pack only for the average: the coldest 10% of nights fall to -7.6°C or lower. That makes long evening walks a less comfortable prospect unless you're well prepared. Milder days do occur, with the warmest 10% reaching 8.6°C or more, but treat those as a welcome bonus rather than the basis of your plans.

Use the daylight and keep plans flexible

With about 8.3 hours of daylight, December rewards a fairly deliberate schedule: put the outdoor parts of your day into the daylight hours and leave indoor time for later. Sunshine is limited, so this isn't a good choice if bright weather is central to your enjoyment. Rain reaches at least 1 mm on about 8 days, which makes a water-resistant outer layer and shoes a sensible choice. Rain needn't rule out the month, but fixed plans that require staying outside can be awkward. This weather suits travellers who are comfortable changing pace, taking warm-up breaks and shortening a walk when conditions feel unpleasant.