Does it Snow in Budapest? (& 5 Best Snowfall Places Near Budapest)
ARE YOU WONDERING “DOES IT SNOW IN BUDAPEST?”
You’ve come to the right place! I am originally from Budapest and although winters in Budapest can be cold, it is a fun place to be.
To the question, “does it snow in Budapest?”, the short answer is that yes, it does snow in Budapest! Many years ago, Budapest used to receive much more snow than in recent years, however, it still snows some every winter.
The most chance of snow in Budapest is around January-February, but sometimes it can even snow in March.
If you are visiting Budapest in winter, some of the best snowfall places near Budapest is in Dobogókő, Kékestető, Mátraszentistván, Eplény and Visegrád. These places are great for a day trip from Budapest and can be accessed easily.
So, here is everything you need to know about snow in Budapest and the best places to visit for snowfall near Budapest!
Winter in Hungary
Winter in Hungary typically runs from December to February.
The weather in Hungary in the winter starts to become colder and it receives less daylight. Thus, winter in Hungary is generally characterised as cold and gloomy.
There is still sunlight during the day, but generally, it starts to turn dark around 4 pm in the afternoon.
There is good central heating in Budapest, so once you are inside your hotel or accommodation, you can warm up your place using the heater. When you are outside, just make sure to wear layers, winter coat, hat, gloves and boots and you will be fine.
When is Winter in Hungary?
There are 4 seasons in Hungary: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Winter runs from December to February and it is the coldest time of the year in Hungary.
Seasons in Hungary:
How Cold Does it Get in Hungary?
Winter runs from December to February in Hungary and they are the coldest months during the year.
The average temperature during winter in Budapest is between -3°C to 4.7°C (26.5°F-41°F).
The coldest month of the year in Budapest is January, with average temperature between -3°C to 1.9°C (26.5°F to 35.5°F) .
Does it Snow in Hungary?
Yes, it generally snows in Hungary between January and February, sometimes it even snows in March.
Many years ago Hungary used to receive a lot of snow in December and you would have snow during Christmas. However, the weather patterns have changed over the years and now there is very little chance of snow during December.
Sometimes, it snows a little in December but it is more like a light snow that comes and melts straight away.
Which Month Does it Snow in Hungary?
It usually snows in Hungary between January and February, sometimes also in March.
Hungary used to receive snow in December many years ago, but as the weather patterns are changing, in recent years there is less and less chance for snow in December.
Does it Snow a Lot in Hungary?
Many years ago, it used to snow a lot in Hungary but over the years, it has snowed less and less.
It has also become more unpredictable of when and how much snow is going to fall each year.
There used to be a lot of snow in December, however, in recent years, it usually snows a little in January and February, and sometimes even in March or April.
Does it Snow in Budapest?
Yes, it does snow in Budapest! The most chance of snow in Budapest is between January and February, and sometimes even March.
December has not received much snow in recent years. Sometimes, there is a light snowfall in Budapest in December but it does not last long and melts away quickly.
Winter in Budapest
Winter in Budapest is between December to February, which are the coldest months of the year.
The average lowest temperature in Budapest during winter is around -4 °C to -5 °C, but it usually does not get colder than that.
The nights are the coldest, but there is central heating in Budapest that keeps you warm while you are inside.
Does it Snow in Budapest in November?
It usually does not snow in Budapest in November.
20-30 years ago, it snowed sometimes in November, however, it is very rare for it to snow in Budapest in November in the past few years.
Does it Snow in Budapest in December?
There is a chance for snow in Budapest in December. It used to snow a lot in Budapest in December, however, in recent years, it has not snowed much.
20-30 years ago, you would have big snowfalls in December and around Christmas in Budapest, however, as the weather patterns are changing there is very little or no snowfall in Budapest in December in recent years.
Does it Snow in Budapest in January?
Yes, you have one of the highest chance of snowfall in Budapest in January.
January and February tend to have the highest chance of snowfall in Budapest, although, weather patterns can be unpredictable and change every year.
Does it Snow in Budapest in February?
Yes, there is a high chance for snow in Budapest in February.
After January, February also have a high chance of snowfall in Budapest, although, weather patterns can change every year.
Does it Snow in Budapest in March?
Yes, it does snow sometimes in Budapest in March.
March is the beginning of Spring season in Hungary, thus it is generally a time when flowers start to bloom.
However, due to the changing weather patterns, there have been unexpected snowfall in Budapest in March.
Does it Snow in Budapest at Christmas?
In recent years, there is less and less chance of snowfall during Christmas in Budapest.
Many years ago, Budapest used to receive a lot of snow during December and Christmas. However, the weather patterns have changed and now there is not much chance for snow during Christmas.
Sometimes, it snows a little around Christmas but even if it does, it is a very light snow that melts straight away.
Tips for Visiting Budapest in Winter
What to Pack for Snow in Budapest
If you visit Budapest during winter, make sure to pack winter clothes.
Clothes you should pack to stay warm during winter in Budapest are winter coat, boots, thick socks, layers, hat, gloves and scarf.
Getting Around in Snow in Budapest
Budapest is a walkable city and there are many places to explore on foot. It might be cold when it snows in Budapest, but it is also very beautiful.
When out and about in the snow, just watch out as the roads and sidewalks can get slippery from the ice.
Best Hotels in Budapest:
📍 Best Budget Hostel: Maverick City Lodge
📍 Best Mid-Range Hotel: D50 Hotel
📍 Best High-End Hotel: Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel
The 5 Best Snowfall Places Near Budapest
If you are visiting Budapest in the winter and want to escape the city, there are some nice places nearby where you can spend time in the snowy nature or even go skiing.
Some of the most popular places to see snow or go skiiing near Budapest are in Eplény, Kékestető, Mátraszentistván, Dobogókő and Visegrád. These places can be visited as a day trip, but you can also extend it to 2-3 days so you have more time to explore the place.
1. DOBOGÓKŐ
Dobogókő is 40 km from Budapest and is one of the best places to play in the snow near Budapest. It is a great place to escape Budapest and spend some time in nature.
Dobogókő is 700 meters above sea level and it is also a popular destination all year around for its hiking routes.
In the winter, they also have ski slopes set up, so if you like skiiing, you should definitely visit it. They have 3 ski slopes, with the longest being 1.5 km for beginner level, 1 km for intermediate level and 0.2 km for the most difficult level.
Dobogókő is the easiest to reach by car (you can also rent a car here), but it can also be accessed by public transport. To get from Budapest to Dobogókő, it takes about 45 minutes by car and 1.5 hours by public transport.
2. KÉKESTETŐ
Kékestető is 1,014 meters high and it is famous for being the highest point in Hungary.
Hungary is a flat country with hills, so if you want to see the highest point in Hungary, you should definitely visit Kékestető.
Kékestető is located in the Mátra Hills, 100 km from Budapest. It can be reached in 1.5 hours by car from Budapest. There is public transport (train + bus) that goes there, although that would take around 3 hours.
Thus, if you want to go to Kékestető for a day trip, it is best to go by car. If you go by public transport, it is best to spend at least 1 night at Kékestető, to have more time to explore the area.
Kékestető is a great place for hiking and in the winter, it is also possible to go skiing. They have around 6 ski slopes, with the longest being 1.8 km long. As for tickets, they have half day or 1-3 days long ski tickets.
3. EPLÉNY
Eplény is 120 km from Budapest and can be reached in about 1 hour 15 minutes from Budapest by car.
Eplény is famous for its skii resorts in the winter. It has 3 ski slopes with different difficulty levels, with the longest one being 5.4 km.
If you visit Eplény during the weekend, you might find that it is too busy, so if you have the chance, it is better to visit on a weekday when there are less visitors.
4. MÁTRASZENTISTVÁN
Mátraszentistván is 112 km from Budapest and it is located in the Mátra Hills.
It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to get there by car from Budapest. It is also possible to get there by public transport but it would take more than 3 hours.
It is a great place for a day trip, spend time in nature and they also have ski slopes in the winter. They have 10 ski slopes, all in total 4.3 km long and it is one of the most popular ski slopes near Budapest.
5. VISEGRÁD
Visegrád is 40 km north of Budapest and is located alongside the River Danube. It takes 45 minutes from Budapest to Visegrád by car, and around 1 hour 20 minutes by train.
Visegrád is a historically important place in Hungary and is a great place to visit all year around.
During the winter, it also has a ski slope which is nice to check out. The ski slope is 3 km long, so it is not too long but it is one of the closest to Budapest.
FAQs: Does it Snow in Budapest?
Does Budapest get snow?
Yes, it does snow in Budapest! The most chance of snow in Budapest is between January and February, and even March.
December has not received much snow in recent years. Sometimes, there is a light snowfall in Budapest in December but it does not last long and melts away quickly.
Which month does it snow in Hungary?
It usually snows in Hungary between January and February, sometimes also in March.
Hungary used to receive snow in December many years ago, but as the weather patterns are changing, in recent years there is less and less chance for snow in December.
What is the snowiest month in Budapest?
The snowiest months in Budapest are January and February. Sometimes it even snows in March or April, so the weather patterns can be unpredictable.
Will it snow in Budapest in January?
You have the highest chance of snowfall in Budapest in January.
January and February tend to have the highest chance of snowfall in Budapest, although, weather patterns can be unpredictable and change every year.
How cold does it get in Hungary?
Winter runs from December to February in Hungary and they are the coldest months during the year.
The average temperature during winter in Budapest is between 4.7 C and -3 C. The coldest month of the year in Budapest is January, with average temperature between 1.9 C and -2.7 C.
What are winters like in Budapest?
Winter in Budapest runs between December to February, which are the coldest months of the year.
The average lowest temperature in Budapest during winter is around -4C to -5C, but it usually does not get colder than that.
The nights are the coldest, but there is central heating in Budapest that keeps you warm while you are inside.
Is Budapest snowy at Christmas?
In recent years, there is less and less chance of snowfall during Christmas in Budapest.
Many years ago, Budapest used to receive a lot of snow during December and Christmas. However, the weather patterns have changed and now there is not much chance for snow during Christmas.
Sometimes, it snows a little around Christmas but even if it does, it is a very light snow that melts straight away.
Does it snow a lot in Hungary?
It snows in Hungary but not too much. It used to snow a lot 20-30 years ago, but due to the changing weather patterns, it snows less and less in recent years.
Your best chance to see snow in Hungary is in January and February, and there might even be some snow in March.
Is it worth going to Budapest in winter?
Yes, it is definitely worth going to Budapest in the winter.
The weather is cold in winter, however, in December, you experience Budapest at Christmas and you might even see some snow.
Some of the best things to do in Budapest in winter is to go to the Christmas markets, go ice skating or just chill in one of the warm thermal baths.
Is there snow skiing in Hungary?
Yes, you can go skiing in Hungary! Although Hungary does not have high mountains, there are some hills near Budapest that have ski slopes in the winter.
Some of the most popular places for skiing near Budapest are in Eplény, Mátraszentistván, Kékestető, Dobogókő and Visegrád.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes, it does snow in Budapest. Many years ago, Budapest used to receive much more snow then in recent years, however, it still snows some every winter.
The most chance of snow in Budapest is around January-February, but sometimes it can even snow in March.
If you are visiting Budapest in winter, some of the best snowfall places near Budapest is in Dobogókő, Kékestető, Mátraszentistván, Eplény and Visegrád. These places are great for a day trip from Budapest and can be accessed easily.
Hungary Quick Guide
How to get from the Budapest Airport to City Center?
The 3 easiest way to get from the Budapest Airport to the city center is by taking the airport shuttle bus, taxi, or pre-booking a private transfer.
For more information, check out how to get from the Budapest Airport to city center here.
Should I get a Hungarian SIM card?
If you don’t get free roaming in Budapest, then the best thing to do is to get an Airalo eSIM for Hungary.
They have packages for 7, 15 or 30 days and the prices are affordable.
Are there any useful mobile apps I can use in Hungary?
Yes! There are a couple of mobile apps that come handy when travelling in Hungary, including apps for booking taxis, using public transport, ordering food, or translating.
Check out my list of the most useful apps in Budapest for travellers.
What is the currency in Budapest? Can I pay by cash or card?
The official currency in Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF).
You can use both cash and cards in Budapest. Card payments are widely accepted all over Budapest and it is only the small shops or street vendors that take only cash payments.
Is the public transport good in Budapest?
Yes! The public transport in Budapest is well-connected and affordable.
The main modes of transport in Budapest are the metro, buses, HÉV trains, trolley buses and there are even public boats!
If you want to save some time or comfort, taking a taxi is a good option. When booking a taxi in Budapest, you can either hail a regular taxi or book one through a taxi app (Uber or Bolt).
Can I drink tap water in Budapest?
Yes, it is safe to drink tap water in Budapest (and all across Hungary).
The tap water goes through a strict water treatment process in Hungary which makes it safe to drink for everyone.
Do they speak English in Budapest?
Yes, people speak good English in Budapest, especially the younger generation.
The older population may not speak English that well, so if you have to ask for information, the best is to approach someone who is younger.
In most tourist places, hotels, restaurants and bars, the staff has a good level of English, so you will get by easily.
Hungary Trip Planning
✈️ Book Flights to Hungary:
Find the best flight deals on Skyscanner or Kiwi.com!
🏠 Book Hotels for Hungary:
Booking.com: best budget, mid-range and luxury hotels.
Hostelworld.com: best for cheapest hostels!
(P.S: The best areas in Budapest are District 5 and 6, right in the city center)
🥘 Book Activities for Hungary:
Book the best activities, tours and day trips on GetYourGuide and Viator. There is everything from river cruises, thermal baths and walking tours to food tours and pub crawls!
🎒 Get Travel Insurance for Hungary: Be on the safe side and get a SafetyWing Travel Insurance – one of the most affordable international travel insurances!
💳 Get Your Travel Cards: Wise and Revolut have travel cards that you can top up with multiple currencies. They have great exchange rates and you can easily use them for payments in shops and restaurants worldwide.
✅ Check out my complete list of travel resources to plan your trip!
