Austria Vienna Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Vienna is Challenging
January is Challenging for Vienna.
January is deep winter — 3°C daytime, -3°C nights, occasional dips to -10°C. Daylight 8 hours. Hotel rates at yearly low.
Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert (January 1) at Musikverein is broadcast to 90 countries — tickets distributed via annual lottery (apply previous year).
Travel score
Deep winter + best value + New Year's Concert + opera value
January Weather at a Glance
Vienna in January averages 37°F / 3°C high and 27°F / -3°C low — coldest month. 14 rainy/snowy days, 38mm. Humidity 78%, 2 hours sunshine. Sunrise 7:50 AM, sunset 4:30 PM — daylight 8h 40m. Danube freezing rare but possible. Snow-covered St Stephen's + Schönbrunn is the iconic Vienna winter shot.
January Travel Advice
Heavy coat + gloves + knitted hat + hand warmers + waterproof boots required. Jan 1 New Year's Concert (Vienna Philharmonic, Musikverein Golden Hall, broadcast to 90 countries, ticket lottery applies Jan 1-Feb 28 a year ahead). Vienna State Opera same-week bookings possible (vs 6-8 weeks ahead in peak season). Jan 6 Epiphany extends some markets. Museums + coffeehouses quiet. Watch icy cobblestones.
Flying In from Overseas
Asia winter escape + best-value month — Seoul-VIE direct 14h via OZ/KE (since 2018), or LH/OS/LO connections 16-18h, $730-1,200 round-trip. 7-hour time difference (6h during DST). Schengen visa-free 90 days.
January Pricing Trends
Off-season — 1st district 4-star $135-235/night. Ringstraße 5-star $270-600.
Vienna January Weather Stats
Avg High
3°C
Avg Low
-3°C
Rainy Days
14
38mm total
Sunshine
2h
Daily avg
Humidity
78%
Comfortable
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
12 km/h
Gusts 28
Sea Temp
0°C
Frozen risk
Snow Days
6
Monthly avg
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 6 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
16 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
0°C
Nighttime
-7°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
12 km/h
Max gust 28 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Yearly-lowest hotel rates
- Same-week opera tickets
- Authentic Vienna without tourists
Cons
- Cold + short days (8 hours)
- Some restaurants close Jan 1-7
- Icy cobblestones
January Events & Festivals
- New Year's Concert by Vienna Philharmonic (Jan 1)
- Yearly-lowest hotel rates
- Quietest tourist month
Vienna in January — Full Picture
January is deep winter — 3°C daytime, -3°C nights, occasional dips to -10°C. Daylight 8 hours. Hotel rates at yearly low.
Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert (January 1) at Musikverein is broadcast to 90 countries — tickets distributed via annual lottery (apply previous year).
Museums + opera houses + coffee houses are at their authentic-local best with no tourist crowds. Same-week opera bookings possible vs 6-8 weeks in peak season.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Heavy winter coat, wool sweater, scarf, gloves, knitted hat, thermal underlayer. Waterproof boots with grip.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
16.7°C
5.3°C
11.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
26.3°C
14.3°C
12/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
15°C
6.7°C
10/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current4°C
-2°C
12.7/mo
Vienna Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3° | -3° | 14d·38mm | 2h | 78% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 5° | -2° | 12d·33mm | 3h | 73% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 11° | 1° | 11d·39mm | 4.5h | 64% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 17° | 5° | 11d·47mm | 6h | 60% | 4 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 22° | 10° | 12d·65mm | 7.5h | 58% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 25° | 13° | 12d·70mm | 7.5h | 60% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 27° | 15° | 13d·80mm | 8h | 60% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 27° | 15° | 11d·70mm | 7.5h | 60% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 22° | 11° | 10d·50mm | 6h | 65% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| 15° | 6° | 9d·40mm | 4.5h | 73% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 8° | 3° | 11d·50mm | 2h | 78% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 4° | -1° | 12d·45mm | 1.5h | 80% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Vienna January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Vienna?
Vienna in January is Challenging. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Vienna in January?
Vienna January averages a high of 3°C and a low of -3°C.
Does it rain much in Vienna in January?
Vienna January averages 38mm of rainfall over about 14 rainy days.
What should I wear in Vienna in January?
Heavy winter coat, wool sweater, scarf, gloves, knitted hat, thermal underlayer. Waterproof boots with grip.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Vienna in January?
Vienna January sunrise is 07:50 and sunset is 16:30, with 8h 40m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Vienna in January?
Vienna January air quality (AQI) averages 42, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 16μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Vienna in January?
In January, Vienna is great for Vienna State Opera (uncrowded), Schönbrunn in snow, Coffee house evenings.
Is January peak season in Vienna?
Vienna January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Vienna
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.