Weather in Budapest in February

How February compares

February is the 10th warmest month of the year in Budapest and ranks 131st of 134 destinations we compare for February - see where else is hot in February. Against London's average high of 7.9°C in February, Budapest is 2.4°C cooler by day and 4.3°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in February

The typical February day in Budapest peaks at 5.5°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 11.8°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average -2.3°C; one night in ten drops to -9.4°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest February day here reached 18.1°C (2019-02-28) and the coldest night -21.2°C (2012-02-06).

Rain in February

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 36 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest February was 2016 with 103 mm, the driest 1998 with 2 mm. Humidity averages 79%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 10.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:51 and sets about 17:05 local time in mid-February. Average cloud cover is 65%.

Is February a good time to visit Budapest?

February 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.

Cold days and freezing evenings

The main catch is the temperature after dark: with the average night below freezing, a mild afternoon does not mean a comfortable evening. Pack a warm coat, layers, gloves and shoes you can walk in comfortably with warm socks. The warmest 10% of days reach 11.8°C or more, which can make daytime walks more appealing, but do not build your plans around that. At the colder end, the coldest 10% of nights fall to -9.4°C or lower. This month suits travellers who do not mind wrapping up and switching between outdoor time and indoor warmth; it is less suitable if lingering outside is central to your holiday.

Make the most of the daylight

February brings about 3.5 hours of sunshine a day within 10.0 hours of daylight, so daylight should not be mistaken for sunny weather. Keep your outdoor plans flexible and use brighter spells for walking rather than saving everything for late afternoon. Rain is another reason to leave room for changes: about 8 days receive measurable rainfall, so a waterproof coat is a sensible part of your packing. That does not mean rain throughout the trip, but dry weather is not guaranteed either. A schedule with indoor alternatives will be more comfortable than a tightly packed itinerary that keeps you outside regardless of the conditions.