12 Best Europe destinations in January of 2022 - Price of Travel (2024)

FAQs

Is Europe cheap in January? ›

The cheapest months to travel to Europe are November, January, February and March. The weather is cold so, outside of ski destinations, the winter season tends to have few crowds and discount prices.

Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal are some of the warmest places to visit in January. What is an ideal trip duration to Europe? 3-4 days are enough to explore and appreciate the major cities and attractions of Europe.

Yes, it is worth it to go to Europe in winter. While many of the primary attractions are closed during this time, the cities are quiet and relatively inexpensive. You can also enjoy cozy experiences that aren't available during the summer months.

Ukraine. Ukraine is a fantastic holidays destination in January for many reasons. First of all, it is the cheapest snowy country in Europe. There is normally snow around the holidays and then it comes and goes until spring.

Key Takeaways. The late fall and winter months—from mid to late October through mid-to-late March—are often the cheapest time to fly to Europe (though fares can spike in December).

🌍 Where is the Warmest Place in Europe in January? The hottest place in Europe in January is Tenerife in the Canary Islands (Spain), with an average temperature of 59°-72°F (15°-22°C).

It's the heart of winter in Italy, and it's cold, wet, and the skies and generally grey. But, if you can handle the weather, Italy in January is a perfect time if you're looking for lower prices and fewer crowds. It's also the best month (along with February) to head to Italy's incredible ski resorts.

The Canary Islands are the warmest place in Europe, with a January average temperature of roughly 12-18 C (55-65 F). February temperatures are fairly similar.

January is the middle of winter in Greece, and temperatures are generally cool to cold, especially in the northern parts of the country. The average high temperature in Athens is around 14°C (57°F) during the day, while nighttime temperatures can drop to around 5°C (41°F).

What is Rome like in January? ›

The weather in Rome Italy in January is fairly mild, with lows (at night) of about freezing, and highs during the day of about 10-14 Celsius / high forties - low fifties Fahrenheit. The days are still pretty short, being winter, but they are already getting longer since the winter solstice on December 22.

Three Months in Advance

Find the best airfare: Booking flights between three and four months before you leave is typically the best bet for the best fares. The sooner, the better. Apply for a passport: If you do not already have a passport, then now is the time to put in that application and get it going.

Least affordable cities for backpacking in Europe 2023

According to the European Backpacker Price Index for 2023, Zurich in Switzerland was the most expensive destination for budget travelers.

♦ Cheapest month to fly: January or February

For the lowest fares on domestic flights, travel in January or February. But for international trips, you'll find the cheapest fare in August.

January is generally considered the off-peak season. From airfare to luxury accommodation, even tours and cruises can be cheaper, and you can cut costs again if you are interested in bargaining. Book in advance to get the best deals.

What is the average cost of a 2 week European vacation? A low budget 2 week Europe trip would cost 1500-2000$. A mid budget two week Europe trip would cost 2500-3000$. This also depends on the season when you take the 2 week trip to Europe.

If you plan a more extended vacation and need to know how 3 weeks in Europe budget look like, we'd say you're looking at spending about 850 per week, making it 2,550 euros total. To quickly recap, if you are traveling to Europe, you are looking at spending around 120 euros per day on average.

What day of the week is cheapest to fly from US to Europe? ›

But Wednesday holds the biggest airfare savings, so if you can, plan to depart and return on a Wednesday. If you're flying internationally, Wednesday and Thursday are the cheapest days to fly. Wednesday is, once again, in the number one spot!

Lisbon gives a good idea of the weather across Portugal, and has an average high of 15ºC in January. It gets quite chilly in the evenings, cooling to 8ºC. The sea temperature is 16ºC, while humidity's low. There's 109mm of rain over 14 days, and you can expect ten hours of daylight with five hours of sunshine each day.

In January, Spain is quite cold and damp, with warmer temperatures in the south of the country and cooler weather in the north. If you plan your holidays to Spain at this time of year you'll need to pack a warm coat for the chilly evenings, along with a rain jacket in case of showers.

Portugal's temperate climate means that any time of year is relatively comfortable for a visit. Although January and February will be a bit cooler and potentially wetter than the rest of the year, you can still experience some sun and take advantage of the thinner crowds.

The Weather in January

January is the coldest month of the year on the Amalfi Coast, with overcast or wet days. Heavy rains often bring mud slides and blockages along the coastal highway 163 that runs between the towns long the coast, and traffic can be blocked for days at a time.

April to May, and September to late October are your best bets. Early May is our favorite time to visit, as the winter cold is replaced with pleasant warmth, sunny skies, and fewer tourists than peak season.

Without a doubt, January in Tuscany will be it's coldest with average temperatures across the region ranging between 37-52°F (3-11°C). And while Tuscany as a whole experiences mild, relatively sunny weather with about eight days of rain, the area has varying climates.

Average daily temperatures

It can be quite cool at this time of year, so visitors are recommended to take warmer clothes especially for venturing out after dark. The average daily maximum is 16 C and the average daily minimum is 9 C.

Low season in Europe almost always means low rates (December, January, February), save for the exceptions of Christmas and New Years. Hotels are often heavily discounted and can be found for as much as half the usual rates!

First of all, it's still part of the New Year's and general holiday season. Where is the warmest place in Italy in January? Sicily is known as the warmest place in Italy, and it really offers 12 months of lovely weather.

Is Greece cheap in January? ›

Though January is not a peak season in Greece, the country does make for an excellent winter destination. Below are the reasons why: Great prices: Since January in Greece is a low season, you can get some really good discounts on travel and accommodation. Airfares and hotel tariffs are at their lowest during this time.

Visiting mainland Greece in January

Despite the seasonal rains, winter is a lovely time to explore mainland Greece. You will be able to visit the ancient sites with few other tourists, and take advantage of the much lower accommodation prices in popular destinations.

January is indeed the coldest month in Croatia, with temperatures frequently reaching freezing or below with an average range between 32°F (0°C) and 47°F (8°C).

Earlier, we mentioned that Italy is pretty cold in January. So, expect snow, rain, fog, and dull skies, depending on where you are. Simply put, it's not a season to be out on the beach, so ditch those bikinis and throw in some sweatshirts into your luggage. In southern Italy, though, the weather may be warm.

January can be a great time to visit Italy for those who don't mind the cold. During the winter, opera, symphony, and theater seasons are in full swing. For winter sports enthusiasts, Italy's mountains offer lots of opportunities.

The general rule is that for domestic flights, travelers should start searching for flight tickets one to three months in advance. For international flights, the best prices are typically available from two to eight months in advance.

The best time to fly to Europe

If you want to avoid jet lag as much as possible, try to find a flight that arrives in Europe in the mid-afternoon or evening. This means leaving North America in the early morning.

Backpackers should expect to spend between $40 – $70 USD/day in Eastern Europe, $70 – $100/day in Western Europe, and $150 – $200/day in the Nordic countries.

Is it cheaper to fly or train in Europe? ›

There are a few different options for Eurail Passes that run for different lengths of time and different 'travel days'. You'll have to do a bit of reading to decide what pass works best for your travel plans. All in all, the average cost of international train tickets in Europe is generally less expensive than flying.

For those looking for a city break, the cost of travelling to London has never been more expensive. At high-end restaurants, it is now the norm for customers to be charged £200 a head, up from around £100 in 2017, as food inflation and staff costs pushes prices up, according to guide books.

While you can certainly splurge on a luxury vacation in Greece, you can also visit Greece inexpensively. In many ways, Greece is a very affordable destination. For instance, the cost of many basic goods tends to be less than in the United States, as does the cost of food in supermarkets and in many restaurants.

Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, with food available at affordable prices, cheap options for accommodation, and reasonable costs for transport. It's not surprising, then, that so many American expats are making this beautiful country their home.

Fly from New York City (JFK) to Copenhagen for as low as $636 round trip. Copenhagen, the capital and most densely populated city in Denmark, is the first destination on our list of the cheapest flights to Europe.

Ireland, Scandinavia, and the Iberian peninsula take the cake when it comes to consistently cheap flights. But the savings don't have to stop there. The first runner-up is Reykjavik (KEF) in Iceland. It's a major hub for cheap flights from both Europe and North America thanks to some low, low fares from Icelandair.

Reykjavik, Iceland

For most people in the US, this is the cheapest European city to fly to. Depending on the time of year and where you're flying from, you can expect to pay anywhere between $260-$550 roundtrip on Icelandair.

♦ Cheapest month to fly: January or February

For the lowest fares on domestic flights, travel in January or February. But for international trips, you'll find the cheapest fare in August.

According to Hipmunk's just-released annual travel planning guide, January is the most “cost-effective month” for travelers. By analyzing three million flights made over the course of an 18-month window, the site determined January is the best time to book and (if you're feeling spontaneous) take affordable trips.

Europe in winter is cheaper and is still attractive to travelers wishing to escape the frigid Midwest. Europe in winter: You can enjoy an espresso at a sidewalk café in Rome or Barcelona, but you may be bundled up in a jacket and scarf.

Do airline prices go down in January? ›

If you're traveling within the United States, January is reliably the cheapest month to fly because it's right after the holidays. Assuming you don't want to fly internationally in cold weather, the cheapest warm-weather month to travel is August, with prices close to 10% lower than July.

Since Wednesdays tend to be the cheapest day to fly, see if you can tweak your travel plans so you depart and fly home during the week instead of on weekend days. Set price alerts.