01Weather
Budapest weather in January
Afternoons in January average 4.0 °C (39 °F) and nights cool to -2.0 °C (28 °F). The month brings about 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain spread over roughly 10 days. Compared with December it is 1.0 °C cooler; February is 4.2 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 11 °C / 51 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | -2 °C / 29 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -8 °C / 17 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 20.6 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 32 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 14.8 °C / -16.6 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 07:31 | 16:03 | 8.5 h |
| 15 January | 07:26 | 16:19 | 8.9 h |
| 31 January | 07:11 | 16:43 | 9.5 h |
Daylight grows by about 60 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Budapest).
03Crowds
How busy Budapest is in January
quiet The main sights are quiet in January. What drives it:
- cold, grey winter
- thermal baths at their best
- winter sales
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Budapest in January
No major recurring events fall in January.
07Packing
What to pack for Budapest in January
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
- gloves: frost on about 21 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is cold, grey and often foggy over the Danube, with afternoons around 2 °C and nights below freezing, but the outdoor thermal pools at Széchenyi are at their most memorable with steam rising into the cold air. It is the cheapest month, and the Parliament and Opera tours are easy to book. Winter sales run all month. Snow falls on about five days and sometimes stays on the Castle Hill.
The ball season opens with the Opera Ball and the Carnival balls in the hotels. The Christmas markets close in the first days of January. Daylight runs from about half past seven to half past four. The Buda Castle funicular and the Fisherman's Bastion are empty on weekdays. For the coldest month and the Farsang carnival, see February.
09Compare
Budapest month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 °C | -2 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 8 °C | 0 °C | 12 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 13 °C | 3 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 18 °C | 7 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| May | 22 °C | 11 °C | 12 | – | busy | Good |
| June | 28 °C | 16 °C | 11 | – | busy | Good |
| July | 29 °C | 18 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 29 °C | 17 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 24 °C | 13 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| October | 17 °C | 8 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| November | 10 °C | 3 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| December | 5 °C | 0 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Budapest.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Prague in January | 4 °C | 10 |
| Venice in January | 8 °C | 5 |
| Rome in January | 13 °C | 10 |
| Copenhagen in January | 4 °C | – |
| Amsterdam in January | 7 °C | 12 |
| Paris in January | 7 °C | 13 |
11FAQ
Budapest in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Budapest?
January is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Budapest. Daytime highs average 4 °C (39 °F), rain falls on about 10 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in Budapest in January?
Expect cold days around 4 °C (39 °F) and nights near -2 °C (28 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 11 °C, and one in ten stays below -2 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Budapest in January?
January brings about 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain over roughly 10 days, which is showery by Budapest standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 32 percent.
What should I wear in Budapest in January?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Budapest crowded in January?
The main sights are quiet in January. Main drivers: cold, grey winter; thermal baths at their best; winter sales.
What time does it get dark in Budapest in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 16:19 and rises at 07:26, giving 8.9 hours of daylight.