Not sure where to go this January? This is your guide to the best places to travel in January, with ten picks for whatever temperature, activities and experience you are looking for. Let’s be honest, January is one of the most miserable months of the year, so what better time to book a holiday?
January is a month of complete opposites. Half the world is cold, cosy, and full of snow (but let’s not forget the super short days, too!). The other half is peak summer, with long days and warm waters perfect for cooling down. That’s what makes January travel so good, because you get full rein on whether you pick a bikini or a woolly hat.
You’ve probably heard of the classic places already. Thai islands, Aussie beaches, Alpine slopes. But there are cheaper, quieter options too, and I’ve squeezed those in. Let’s get into it!
Thailand: Beaches and Northern charm
January is dry season in Thailand. Think blue skies, calm seas and highs of around 30°C. January travel is perfect if you are after meeting like-minded people, as it’s peak season. Hop around the Andaman coast, snorkel off Koh Lipe, and eat pad kra pao (my favourite Thai dish, but watch out, it can be Thai spicy!).
Skip busy Phuket and go to Koh Lanta or Koh Mak instead. Don’t miss the northern charm, either; Chiang Mai is perfect. If you love nature and a really laid-back vibe.
Staying in Asia longer this January? Check out Vietnam or Cambodia. Book ferries ahead on 12Go so you don’t get stuck; high season means you sometimes need to squeeze in. First time in Thailand and looking for all the advice you can get?
Sri Lanka: Beaches, Trains and Leopards
Sri Lanka really has something for everyone crammed into such a small island. The south and west coasts are dry and sunny in January, around 28-30°C. Base yourself in Galle or Mirissa if you like surfing, whale watching and lazy beach days (yes, please!). Then jump on the train from Kandy to Ella. It’s one of the prettiest rides you’ll ever take. You’ve probably seen the Instagram shots of people hanging out of open train doors. January is one of the best times to travel if you’re trying to save money and love the heat and nature. Dare I even mention how good Sri Lankan food is? Give me some rice and curry any day, with coconut sambol to die for!!
If you love nature, definitely check out Yala National Park; it has one of the world’s highest leopard densities!! And if all of this has got you Sri Lanka excited, check out our other Sri Lanka guides to start planning your trip:
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Australia: Peak Summer
Forget spring. Australia in January is full-on summer. Sydney sits around 26°C and inland gets much hotter. Perth is super hot this time of year, so stay by the beach for a breeze and unlimited ocean dips… no complaints here.
It’s beach season, festival season and the Australian Open in Melbourne. January travel is busy, so book early. Especially if you’re heading up the East Coast from Sydney after NYE, I once got stuck in Sydney for 2 extra weeks because I didn’t book my bus, lessons learnt. Walk the Bondi to Coogee coastal path, celebrate Australia Day on the 26th or drive the Great Ocean Road. Can’t handle the heat? Head to Tasmania and go on some beautiful hikes.
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South Africa: Garden Route Road Trip
This road trip is for people who like a bit of everything, a really diverse trip! Summer temperatures sit at 22 to 28°C, with a wild coastline. Start in Cape Town, then drive the Garden Route through Hermanus, Knysna and Tsitsikamma. It’s one of the best places to travel in January for road-trip lovers, and the rand goes far, so car hire and food are great value. Stop for wine in Stellenbosch, hike Table Mountain and, if you’re feeling brave, bungee off Bloukrans Bridge.
If you can’t wait to get planning your January South Africa trip, check out these:
Costa Rica: Wildlife, Waves and Dry Season
January is the start of the dry season on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Expect sunny days of 28 to 32°C and very little rain. That makes January one of the best months to travel for wildlife. Costa Rica has around 5% of the world’s biodiversity, and it’s tiny. Spot sloths and toucans in Monteverde’s cloud forest, then surf or chill in Santa Teresa. Climb Arenal Volcano and soak in the hot springs afterwards.
It’s busier than the rest of the year, so book early. Eat at sodas, the small local restaurants, where a huge plate of rice, beans and fish costs only a few pounds.
Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in Costa Rica. You simply open the Google Map and all my recommendations are at the touch of your fingertips.
The Canary Islands: Winter Sun on a Budget
Need warmth without a long flight? The question my mum and I always ask each other when we want to escape the UK winter but not travel too far: Tenerife and Lanzarote sit around 20 to 22°C in January. They’re some of the best places to travel in January for a quick, cheap escape, with loads of flights from the UK and Europe.
Hike up Mount Teide, which is often snow-capped, then swim in the sea the same week. Lanzarote’s volcanic landscape is really interesting and easy to see on a day trip. Eat at local guachinches for cheap, hearty food.
Lapland and Norway: Northern Lights
Want proper winter? Go to Norway or Finland for a magically snowy escape. Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland sits around -5 to -15°C. Tromsø in Norway is slightly milder at around -4 to 0°C.
For couples and winter lovers, January travel doesn’t get more special than this. Aurora season runs until March, and the best things to do in January up here are husky sledging, chasing the lights and sitting in a hot tub under the stars – dreamy, hey?. Tromsø is cheaper than a glass igloo in Lapland, and a guided aurora spotting boosts your odds.
Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in Norway. Simply open the Google Map on the go and all my recommendations are at the touch of your fingertips.
Austria and the French Alps: Skiing
This is when the snow is most reliable. Expect crisp days, cosy chalets and plenty of après. Austria is usually cheaper than France or Switzerland, and smaller resorts like Bad Gastein keep costs down.
The Alps actually stretch across eight countries. Ski all day, then settle in for a long lunch (and a drink!) at a mountain hut. Avoid school holiday weeks and travel midweek to save more. Not a skier? Try snowshoeing or a thermal spa, both still really fun. Sometimes the best things to do in January involve doing very little, in a warm spa, with a view.
Japan: Powder Snow and Hot Springs
Japan in January is properly wintry. Tokyo is cold but sunny, around 2 to 10°C. Hokkaido sits closer to -5°C and gets some of the best powder on the planet.
Ski Niseko by day, then thaw out in an outdoor onsen while snow falls on your head. January travel here also suits non-skiers. Head to Nagano to watch snow monkeys soak in their own hot spring, then eat ramen in Sapporo.
Stay in business hotels and guesthouses to keep costs down, and grab a convenience-store breakfast (you’ll always miss the 7/11 egg sandos and onigiris!). It’s much better than it sounds.
Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in Japan. Simply open the Google Map on your device and all my recommendations are at the touch of your fingertips.
Morocco: Cities, Souks and Mountains
Morocco is great if you only have a few days. January travel here means sunny afternoons around 18°C and chilly nights, so pack a jumper.
Wander the medina, haggle in the souks and book a riad with a rooftop terrace. Add a day trip to the Atlas Mountains, where Toubkal is often snow-capped. It’s affordable, it feels like a whole new world, and it’s only a few hours from most of Europe.
Which one to pick?
The best places to travel in January depend on what you like to do most. Whichever January travel plan you pick, book flights early, travel midweek to keep down flight costs and stay somewhere with a kitchen. It’ll save you more than you think. The best things to do in January are the ones that make you want to pack tonight. So, which one has you opening skyscanner?
Where have you travelled to in January?
Where are the best places to travel to in January? Anything you’d add to this january bucket list?
Charlotte has spent over ten years working in travel, leading tours across Southeast Asia and working as cabin crew. Having lived in several countries and travelled to over 60, she shares her adventures, practical tips, and what she wishes she’d known before going.
