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In season · January

Best Places to Visit in January

The best countries to visit in January are Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Cambodia and more. Pick by weather, crowds, budget, or whether you're flying short-haul from India.

Last updated June 2026

January at a glance

Best for ideal weatherThailand, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Cambodia
Best from India (short-haul)Thailand, Vietnam, India, Nepal
Best honeymoon picksJapan, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka
Best for familiesJapan, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea
Best on a budgetNepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia
Shoulder-season picksIndonesia, China, Bhutan, Jordan
Months to avoidTürkiye, Georgia, Italy, France

Best countries to visit in January

Peak weather and full access this month.

🇹🇭

Thailand

A tale of two coasts and three seasons.

Asia
4 regionsBest time in January →
🇮🇳

India

A subcontinent — pick your region carefully.

Asia
6 regionsBest time in January →
🇱🇰

Sri Lanka

Two monsoons, two coasts.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in January →
🇵🇭

Philippines

7,000 islands, one dry season.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇰🇭

Cambodia

Cool & dry for Angkor.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇱🇦

Laos

Mekong country, cool dry winters.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇲🇾

Malaysia

Two coasts, opposing monsoons.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in January →
🇦🇪

UAE

Desert winters are magical; summers brutal.

Middle East
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇨🇭

Switzerland

Two seasons, both spectacular.

Europe
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇦🇹

Austria

Alpine charm in any season.

Europe
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇪🇬

Egypt

Pyramids in cool desert winter.

Africa
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇿🇦

South Africa

Reverse seasons — perfect Dec for beaches.

Africa
3 regionsBest time in January →
🇰🇪

Kenya

The Great Migration in Maasai Mara.

Africa
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇹🇿

Tanzania

Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar.

Africa
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇪🇹

Ethiopia

Highlands and ancient churches.

Africa
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇳🇿

New Zealand

Two seasons — both stunning.

Oceania
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇲🇽

Mexico

Dry winter, green summer.

North America
3 regionsBest time in January →
🇨🇷

Costa Rica

Dry season is high season.

North America
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇨🇺

Cuba

Dry winter is the move.

North America
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇦🇷

Argentina

Patagonia summer, wine country shoulder.

South America
3 regionsBest time in January →
🇨🇱

Chile

Atacama to Antarctica in one country.

South America
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇧🇷

Brazil

Carnival summer, Pantanal dry winter.

South America
4 regionsBest time in January →
🇨🇴

Colombia

Eternal spring in the Andes.

South America
Country-wideBest time in January →

Best places from India in January

Short-haul, e-visa or visa-on-arrival options that line up with January weather.

🇹🇭

Thailand

A tale of two coasts and three seasons.

Asia
4 regionsBest time in January →
🇻🇳

Vietnam

A long country with three climates.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in January →
🇮🇳

India

A subcontinent — pick your region carefully.

Asia
6 regionsBest time in January →
🇳🇵

Nepal

Crystal-clear mountain views in autumn.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇱🇰

Sri Lanka

Two monsoons, two coasts.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in January →
🇵🇭

Philippines

7,000 islands, one dry season.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in January →

Best honeymoon destinations in January

Romantic destinations at their best this month.

🇯🇵

Japan

Cherry blossoms in spring, fiery maples in autumn.

Asia
5 regionsBest time in January →
🇹🇭

Thailand

A tale of two coasts and three seasons.

Asia
4 regionsBest time in January →
🇻🇳

Vietnam

A long country with three climates.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in January →
🇱🇰

Sri Lanka

Two monsoons, two coasts.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in January →
🇮🇸

Iceland

Midnight sun or northern lights — both, never at once.

Europe
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇨🇭

Switzerland

Two seasons, both spectacular.

Europe
Country-wideBest time in January →

Best family-friendly destinations in January

Safe, easy, kid-friendly picks for January.

🇯🇵

Japan

Cherry blossoms in spring, fiery maples in autumn.

Asia
5 regionsBest time in January →
🇹🇭

Thailand

A tale of two coasts and three seasons.

Asia
4 regionsBest time in January →
🇻🇳

Vietnam

A long country with three climates.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in January →
🇰🇷

South Korea

Sharp four-season country.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇸🇬

Singapore

Hot & humid year-round, short showers.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇹🇼

Taiwan

Night markets, misty mountains, hot springs.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in January →

Best budget-friendly destinations in January

Lower trip costs without sacrificing the season.

🇳🇵

Nepal

Crystal-clear mountain views in autumn.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in January →
🇱🇰

Sri Lanka

Two monsoons, two coasts.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in January →
🇰🇭

Cambodia

Cool & dry for Angkor.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in January →

Where to avoid in January

Monsoons, extreme heat, deep cold or peak storm risk make these tough this month.

🇹🇷

Türkiye

Cappadocia balloons and Aegean beaches.

Europe
3 regionsView Türkiye
🇬🇪

Georgia

Mountain valleys and wine country.

Europe
Country-wideView Georgia
🇮🇹

Italy

Shoulder seasons are the sweet spot.

Europe
4 regionsView Italy
🇫🇷

France

Paris in spring is a cliché for a reason.

Europe
3 regionsView France
🇪🇸

Spain

Sunny shoulder seasons rule.

Europe
3 regionsView Spain
🇵🇹

Portugal

Mild Atlantic country, long beach season.

Europe
Country-wideView Portugal
🇬🇷

Greece

Islands May–Oct, ruins year-round.

Europe
3 regionsView Greece
🇬🇧

United Kingdom

Bring layers — and an umbrella.

Europe
Country-wideView United Kingdom
🇮🇪

Ireland

Forty shades of green, always a chance of rain.

Europe
Country-wideView Ireland
🇩🇪

Germany

Christmas markets and beer gardens.

Europe
Country-wideView Germany
🇳🇱

Netherlands

Tulips bloom for one short window.

Europe
Country-wideView Netherlands
🇨🇿

Czechia

Prague in spring, Christmas market dreams in December.

Europe
Country-wideView Czechia
🇭🇺

Hungary

Budapest baths year-round.

Europe
Country-wideView Hungary
🇭🇷

Croatia

Adriatic perfection in shoulder season.

Europe
Country-wideView Croatia
🇸🇮

Slovenia

A fairy-tale Alpine compact.

Europe
Country-wideView Slovenia
🇵🇱

Poland

Pretty old towns and brutal winters.

Europe
Country-wideView Poland
🇷🇴

Romania

Carpathian castles, painted monasteries, wild bears.

Europe
Country-wideView Romania
🇧🇬

Bulgaria

Black Sea beaches, Rila monasteries, cheap ski.

Europe
Country-wideView Bulgaria
🇷🇸

Serbia

Belgrade nightlife and brass-band villages.

Europe
Country-wideView Serbia
🇲🇪

Montenegro

Fjord-like bay, Adriatic beaches, Durmitor peaks.

Europe
Country-wideView Montenegro
🇦🇱

Albania

Europe's last cheap Riviera.

Europe
Country-wideView Albania
🇸🇰

Slovakia

High Tatras, hidden castles, half the crowds.

Europe
Country-wideView Slovakia
🇪🇪

Estonia

Medieval Tallinn and endless midsummer light.

Europe
Country-wideView Estonia
🇱🇻

Latvia

Art-nouveau Riga and Baltic dunes.

Europe
Country-wideView Latvia
🇱🇹

Lithuania

Vilnius baroque and Curonian Spit dunes.

Europe
Country-wideView Lithuania
🇲🇰

North Macedonia

Lake Ohrid and Ottoman bazaars.

Europe
Country-wideView North Macedonia
🇧🇦

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Ottoman bridges and emerald rivers.

Europe
Country-wideView Bosnia & Herzegovina
🇫🇯

Fiji

Tropical dry season May–Oct.

Oceania
Country-wideView Fiji
🇨🇦

Canada

Endless wilderness — pick season carefully.

North America
Country-wideView Canada
🇵🇪

Peru

Inca Trail dry season May–Sep.

South America
3 regionsView Peru

FAQs: travel in January

What is the best country to visit in January?

January is peak season in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Cambodia. Pick by interest: beaches, mountains, culture or wildlife — most of these destinations also offer favourable weather and fewer disruptions this month.

Where should I avoid travelling in January?

In January, watch out for Türkiye, Georgia, Italy, France, Spain — these destinations face heavy monsoon, extreme heat, deep cold or peak storm risk this month.

What are the best countries to visit from India in January?

Short-haul picks from India in January: Thailand, Vietnam, India, Nepal. These offer 3–7 hour flights, e-visa or visa-on-arrival options and good weather.

Is January a good time for a honeymoon or beach holiday?

January works well for honeymoons in destinations such as Japan, Thailand, Vietnam. Match the destination to whether you want beach, snow or culture.

Browse other months

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See also: Best countries to visit from India in January · Interactive January calendar