Weather in Budapest in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Budapest and ranks 99th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Budapest is 4.6°C warmer by day and 3.0°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Budapest peaks at 21.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 26.8°C or more. Roughly 1 in 5 days top 25°C and 1 in 77 pass 30°C. Nights average 11.3°C; one night in ten drops to 7.5°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 30.9°C (2003-05-07) and the coldest night 2.7°C (2020-05-13).

Rain in May

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 12 days with 1 mm or more, 67 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2010 with 174 mm, the driest 1992 with 21 mm. Humidity averages 67%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.6 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 14.9 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:07 and sets about 20:14 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 55%.

Is May a good time to visit Budapest?

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

Warm afternoons, cooler evenings

The daytime average suits walking around the city without planning your whole day around avoiding heat. There can still be a summer-like feel: 20% of days reach 25°C, so pack light tops and something comfortable for warmer afternoons. Do not assume that warmth lasts into the evening, though. Average night lows are 11.3°C, and the coldest 10% of nights reach 7.5°C or lower. A jumper and a jacket are sensible if you expect to stay out late. May works well if you prefer moderate warmth to intense heat, but it is less convincing if your priority is consistently warm evenings outdoors.

Plenty of daylight, but allow for rain

Rain is the main compromise in May, with about 12 rainy days making a waterproof layer more useful than an optimistically light bag. That does not mean those days are wet throughout, but it does mean a fully outdoor itinerary needs some flexibility. Keep indoor time movable and check the forecast before committing to a long spell outside. There is plenty of scope to rearrange your day: May has about 14.9 hours of daylight, with 6.6 hours of sunshine on average. Expect a mix rather than clear skies throughout. Comfortable shoes that cope with wet pavements will be more practical than footwear chosen only for dry, warm conditions.