The Best Time to Visit Budapest (& The Worst!)

WANT TO KNOW WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BUDAPEST?

I am originally from Budapest and the city has much to offer all throughout the year. Budapest is the capital of Hungary and there are many events whether it rains or shines!

The best time to travel to Budapest depends on your preferences as every season and month have their own pros and cons.

When deciding which is the best time for you, you should consider factors such as weather, prices, and crowds.

Generally, late Spring (April, May) and early Autumn (September, October) are considered the best times to visit Budapest as during those times the weather is warm but not so crowded with tourists. The prices are also lower, which make it an ideal time.

Summer in Budapest is really nice with lots of outdoor events and festivals, but due to the summer holidays it can be very crowded. The temperature can also get very hot and the prices are the most expensive during this time.

The winter low season (January, February) are some of the coldest months in Budapest, but they offer quiet times and cheap prices. Thus, January and February are the best if you don’t mind the cold but want to go on an affordable holiday.

Here is everything you need to know about the best and worst times to visit Budapest!

Overall Best Time To Visit Budapest, Hungary

Overall, the best time to visit Budapest is in late Spring (April, May) and in early Autumn (September, October). During these times, the weather is warm and Budapest is not as crowded as during the summer season.

When is the Best Time to Visit Budapest?

Best Time for Weather

The best time for weather in Budapest is in late Spring (April, May) and early Autumn (September, October). The weather during these times is warm (neither too hot, nor too cold).

For Lower Prices

The lowest prices in Budapest are in January and February.

January and February are during the winter low season in Budapest. At this time, the city is quiet and not many travellers visit due to the cold weather.

Thus, you can find a lot of flights and hotels at a lower rate. If you don’t mind the cold and want a cheap holiday in Budapest, then January and February are the best times for you.

For Smaller Crowds

The least amount of travellers are during January and February, however, if you don’t want to visit Budapest during the cold winter season, then the shoulder season is a good alternative.

Spring and Autumn are shoulder season in Budapest, which bring pretty good weather and not as many tourists as during the summer high season.

So, ultimately, Spring and Autumn is a good option if you want to visit at a time when Budapest is not very crowded with tourists but the weather is also good.

When is the Worst Time To Visit Budapest

Budapest has lots of activities to offer all year around, and there is an advantage to visiting the city at any time of the year.

The worst time visiting Budapest depends on your preferences. If you prefer to visit when the weather is warm, then Spring and Autumn are good choices.

If you don’t mind the weather but want to get some cheap deals, then January and February are the best choice for you.

If you don’t like big crowds and heat, then you should avoid visiting Budapest during summer as the temperature can get very hot and the city is crowded with travellers.

Worst Time For Weather

The worst time for weather in Budapest is in the winter (January and February) which are cold and can also have snow. December can be cold too, but there is a lot to do at that time due to the Christmas holidays.

If you don’t like hot weather, summer can also be a bad time for you to visit Budapest. In recent years, summer in Budapest has been really hot, so if you visit at that time, make sure to use sunscreen and drink a lot of water.

What Is The Most Expensive Month In Budapest?

The most expensive months to visit Budapest is in the summer from June to August and around the Christmas holidays in December.

During the summer and Christmas holidays, there are many visitors in Budapest and the hotels and flights are the most expensive during these times.

The hotels run at a full capacity and you won’t be able to find discounts. It is best to book your accommodation as far ahead as possible if you are planning a trip for the summer or Christmas.

The flights to Budapest are also the most expensive during the summer and around Christmas but if you book it many months ahead, you might be able to get a more decent price.

Best Time To Visit Budapest By Month

The best time to travel to Budapest depends on your preferences as every season and month have their own advantages and disadvatages.

When deciding which is the best time for you, you should consider factors such as weather, prices, and crowds.

Weather for January – Cold & Snowy

January is the coldest time of the year in Budapest and the average temperature is between -2.7 to 2 °C (27-36 °F). There is also a chance for snow in Budapest in January, although it has not snowed much in recent years.

Due to the cold weather, January is one of the quietest times in Budapest, especially following the busy Christmas period.

January is cold, but there are still many things to do in Budapest. So, if you don’t mind the cold but want to get the cheapest deals for flights and hotels, then January is a great choice!

Some of the best things to do in Budapest in the winter months is to chill in the warm thermal baths or go ice-skating!

Weather for February – Cold & Snowy

February is still cold, winter season in Budapest and there is also a chance for snow!

The average temperature is between -0.7 to 4.7 °C (31-40 °F), so make sure to pack warm layers if you are visiting Budapest in February.

February is low season in Budapest, which means that there are not many tourists in the city during this time. The weather is cold, so not many people visit in February.

Nevertheless, Budapest has many great activities to offer even in Ferbuary, just make sure to prepare for the cold.

The best part about visiting in February is that you can find flights and hotels at a very good price. While February may not be the best time for weather, it is definitely one of the best for the cheapest prices!

Weather for March – Cold & Some Snow

March is the beginning of Spring season in Budapest, and while the weather is still somewhat cold, it starts to get warm towards the end of March.

The average temperature in Budapest in March is between 3.3-11 °C (38-52 °F) and while it starts to get warmer, the weather patterns can be unpredictable and sometimes it even snows.

March is a great time to visit Budapest as you can still find cheap flights and hotels, and the weather is not as cold as in January or February.

Weather for April – Warm, Sunny & Dry (BEST TIME)

April is proper Spring time in Budapest! The weather is sunny, the flowers are blooming and the city starts to come alive after the cold winter season.

The average temperature in Budapest in April is 8-18 °C (46-64 °F). It is warm and sunny during the day, but cools down in the evenings, so it is good to have clothes you can wear in layers.

April is a great time to visit Budapest as the weather is warm and it is nice to enjoy outdoor activities. Generally, April is not that busy yet (except for Easter), and you can find flights and hotels at a good price.

There are also a couple of festivals in Budapest in April that are held annually. They include the Spring Festival, International Day of Jazz, and the Art Week.

Weather for May – Very Warm & Some Rain (BEST TIME)

The weather starts to get really warm in May as Budapest slowly goes into summer season. The average temperature is around 11–21 °C (52-70 °F) in Budapest in May and it still gets cold in the evenings.

May is a great time to visit Budapest as the weather is warm and sunny, and the city is not crowded with travellers yet. The prices start to increase a bit, but it is not yet as expensive as it gets during the summer.

As the weather is nice in Budapest in May, it is a great time for outdoor activities, chilling in parks, or going on a river cruise.

Weather for June – Hot & Some Rain

June is the beginning of summer season in Budapest and the weather starts to turn pretty hot.

The average temperature is 15-26 °C (59-79 °F) but it can much hotter than that during the day. As it is hot during the day, you can wear proper summer clothes, like T-shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses and sandals.

Due to the summer holidays, the number of visitors start to increase in June in Budapest but it is not yet as crowded as July or August.

In the beginning of June, the prices might still be a bit lower but from the end of June, all prices are more expensive.

The best things to do in Budapest in June is to relax in parks, chill by the pool and thermal baths, go on a cruise, and enjoy outdoor cafes and restaurants.

Weather for July – Hot, Humid & Some Rain

July is one of the hottest months of the year in Budapest and it is peak summer season!

The average temperature is between 17-28 °C (63-82 °F) in Budapest in July. Budapest is very busy in July as lots of travellers visit Budapest during the summer holidays.

July can be hot and crowded with travellers, thus, some people prefer to visit at a time when it is less busy and the temperature is not so hot. Due to the peak season, the prices are also the most expensive at this time.

Nevertheless, summer time in Budapest is great and there are lots of outdoor events and festivals taking place in Budapest in July.

Some of the biggest festivals in Hungary in July are the Balaton Sound, Ozora Festival, and the International Folk Dance and Music Festival. You can also take a trip to Lake Balaton, which is the biggest lake in Hungary and is a popular place during summer.

Weather for August – Dry, Hot & Humid

August is the hottest month in Budapest! The average temperature is between 18-29 ℃ (64.5-84 °F) but it can get much hotter.

August is busy summer time in Budapest, the city is full of tourists and the prices are also one of the highest at this time. The flights and hotels are the most expensive during summer and Christmas time, so it is hard to find discounts for August.

Even if Budapest feels crowded with tourists, it is such a great time in the city! There are lots of outdoor events and the city is in proper summer “buzz”.

If you visit Budapest in summer, try to visit the famous attractions as early as you can, so you can avoid some of the crowds. As it gets really hot, it is worth taking a long lunch break between 12-2 pm, so you don’t exhaust yourself in the heat.

The best things to do in Budapest in August is to go to the Sziget Festival, visit Lake Balaton, go sightseeing, and chill in the pool.

Weather for September – Warm & Some Rain (BEST TIME)

Summer comes to an end in September and the Autumn season begins. The average temperature is between 13-23 °C (55-73 °F) and it is still warm and sunny.

September is a great time to visit Budapest as the weather is still nice and warm, but it is not as crowded as it was during summer. As September is shoulder season, you can also get some good prices for flights and hotels at this time.

In recent years, September has felt much like summer time still, so September is a great choice if you are looking for cheaper prices and a less busy time in Budapest

Some of the best things to do in Budapest in September is to go on a boat cruise, go on a walking tour, relax in the thermal baths, and hang out in parks.

Weather for October – Sunny, Cold & Some Rain (BEST TIME)

The weather starts to get colder in October but it is still not that cold yet. In the beginning of October, it is still sunny, but then it gradually start to turn cold and get into proper autumn season.

The average temperature is between 8.5-16 °C (47-61 °F) in Budapest in October. As the weather starts to turn cold, it is good to pack clothes that you can wear in layers.

October is a good time to visit Budapest if you don’t mind milder temperatures but want to visit at a time when it is cheaper and less crowded.

October may be shoulder season in Budapest, but there are lots of things to do in the city, including river cruises, the thermal baths, theatre plays and walking tours.

Weather for November – Cold & Rainy

The weather turns cold in November and can feel really cold, especially towards the end of November.

The average temperature is between 4-10 °C (39-50 °F) in November in Budapest and it is good to pack warm clothes that you can wear in layers.

November is low season in Budapest and it might be a bit cold, but it is not as cold as proper winter (December – February). November is a good time to visit Budapest if you don’t mind the cold but want to get cheaper prices for hotels and flights.

The Christmas Markets in Budapest usually start around 15 November every year, so the end of November is a great time to start to get into the festive mood!

Weather for December – Cold & Snowy

December is the beginning of Winter in Budapest and it is one of the coldest months! It used to snow a lot 10-20 years ago, but recently, there is less and less chance for snow in December.

The average temperature is between -1 to 3.4 °C (30-38 °F) in Budapest in December, so you should pack warm winter clothes for your trip, including a winter coat, boots and clothes you can wear in layers.

The beginning of December is not too crowded yet, but then it gets busy around the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Christmas is a great time to visit Budapest as you can enjoy the Christmas markets and holiday events. December is also a great time to chill in the warm thermal baths in Budapest!

The prices for flights and hotels are some of the most expensive in Budapest in December, but if you book it many months ahead, you may be able to get some decent prices.

FAQs: The Best Time to Visit Budapest (& The Worst!)

What are the best months to visit Budapest?

The best months to visit Budapest are April, May, September and October. These months offer good weather, cheaper prices, and less tourists in the city.

How many days do you need in Budapest?

The best is to have 3 days in Budapest which gives you enough time to explore Budapest.

With 3 days in Budapest, you could spend day 1 exploring Pest, day 2 exploring Buda, and on day 3 you could go on a day trip to Szentendre, a small town close to Budapest.

Spending 3 days in Budapest gives you enough time to see different sides of the city and to learn more about Hungarian culture.

What is the Off Season of Budapest?

The off season in Budapest is during January-February in the winter. Winter (January-February) is cold but offers the cheapest prices throughout the year.

When Is The Cheapest Time To Visit Budapest?

The cheapest time to visit Budapest is in January and February.

January and February are cold winter months and not many visitors come to Budapest at that time. It might be cold, but January and February are the best months to visit Budapest if you want to find cheap flights and hotels.

When is the best time to visit Budapest for snow?

The most chance of snow in Budapest is between January and February. It does not snow as much as it used to 10-20 years ago, but there is still a some chance for snow.

Conclusion

In conclusion, late Spring (April, May) and early Autumn (September, October) are considered the best times to visit Budapest as during those times the weather is warm but not so crowded with tourists. The prices are also lower, which make it an ideal time.

Summer in Budapest is really nice with lots of outdoor events and festivals, but due to the summer holidays it can be very crowded. The temperature can also get very hot and the prices are the most expensive during this time.

The winter low season (January, February) are some of the coldest months in Budapest, but they offer quiet times and cheap prices. Thus, January and February are the best if you don’t mind the cold but want to go on an affordable holiday.