Austria in January

Peak ski month in Tyrol and Salzburgerland; Vienna ball season and cheap city hotels.

January is rated good. These months rate higher:

• JuneGreatLifts reopen, meadows in flower, long evenings; the best all-round month.
• JulyGreatSalzburg Festival starts; lakes warm; afternoon thunderstorms in the Alps.
• AugustGreatPeak hiking and lake season; Hallstatt crowded; book huts and festival tickets early.
• SeptemberGreatClear mountain weather, cattle drives down from the pastures, wine harvest begins.

• Vienna and the east · Vienna, Wachau, Burgenland, Grazcool

  Dry continental climate: hot July–August (up to 35 °C (95 °F)) and cold, grey winters; wine harvest September–October.Dry continental climate: hot July–August (up to 95 °F (35 °C)) and cold, grey winters; wine harvest September–October.

• Salzburg and the lakes · Salzburg, Salzkammergut (Hallstatt, Wolfgangsee)cool

  Salzburg is one of the wettest cities in Austria ('Schnürlregen'); bring a rain jacket in any month. Lakes are swimmable July–August.

• Tyrol valleys · Innsbruck, Kitzbühel, Zillertalcool

  Sunny, dry winters in the valleys; foehn wind makes sudden warm days. Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms.

• High Alps · Ötztal, Arlberg (St Anton), Hohe Tauern, glaciersbest weather

  Ski season December to April ('best' in winter means snow); huts open late June to late September. Many lifts close in May and November.

• Burgenland: Lake Neusiedl and north · Eisenstadt, Rust, Neusiedl am Seecool

  Pannonian climate: hot, dry summers and cold winters. The lake freezes in some winters.

• Burgenland: South · Oberwart, Güssing, Jennersdorfcool

  Slightly milder and sunnier than the Austrian average; thermal spas run year-round.

• Carinthia: Lake basin (Villach, Klagenfurt, Wörthersee) · central Carinthiacold

  Lake swimming peaks July–August; the basin holds summer heat. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August.

• Carinthia: Alpine valleys (Nassfeld, Heiligenblut, Grossglockner) · north and westcold

  High passes and the Grossglockner road are seasonal; snow can close them from October into May.

• Lower Austria: Danube valley (Wachau, Tulln, Krems) · River corridor west of Viennacool

  Wine-hill walking April to October; summer afternoons can pass 30 °C (86 °F).Wine-hill walking April to October; summer afternoons can pass 86 °F (30 °C).

• Lower Austria: Vienna basin and Wienerwald (Mödling, Baden, Klosterneuburg) · Around the capitalcool

  Mild and dry; the woods are the summer escape.

• Lower Austria: Eastern Alps (Semmering) · Southwest edgecold

  Snow and skiing December to March; trails June to September.

• Salzburg: Salzburg city and Flachgau · Northern flat edgecold

  Rain peaks in summer; the city is low enough to walk year-round.

• Salzburg: Alps (Pinzgau, Pongau, Lungau) · Most of the statecold

  Snow at altitude Nov–Apr; high passes and some cable cars shut in the shoulder months.

• Styria: Graz basin · Graz and the Mur valleycold

  Warm, sheltered basin; July and August often 30 °C (86 °F)+ and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms.Warm, sheltered basin; July and August often 86 °F (30 °C)+ and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms.

• Styria: Upper Styria mountains · Schladming, Murau, Dachsteinsnow

  Ski season roughly December to April; hiking season June to early October, with snow possible above 1,800 m in June.

• Styria: South-east hills · Hartberg and the wine countrycold

  Mildest corner of the state; vine rows and spa towns are at their best May–October.

• Tyrol: Innsbruck and the Inn valley · North Tyrol, 570 mcold

  Valley floor is mild; the Nordkette above it can be 10 °C (18 °F) colder. Föhn winds bring sudden warm, dry days.Valley floor is mild; the Nordkette above it can be 18 °F (10 °C) colder. Föhn winds bring sudden warm, dry days.

• Tyrol: High valleys and ski resorts · Zillertal, Arlberg, Ötztal, above 1,000 mcold

  Snow reliable roughly December to early April; summer hiking June to September. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August.

• Upper Austria: Danube valley (Linz, Steyr, Wels) · Northern lowlandcold

  Warm summers around 25 °C (77 °F), cold winters with fog on the river; May, June and September are the pick.Warm summers around 77 °F (25 °C), cold winters with fog on the river; May, June and September are the pick.

• Upper Austria: Salzkammergut (Hallstatt, Bad Ischl) · Southern lakes and mountainscold

  Rainier and cooler than the Danube; snow from November on the passes, lake swimming July–August.

• Vorarlberg: Rhine valley and Lake Constance · Bregenz, Dornbirn, Feldkirchcool

  Mildest part of the state; lake-effect cloud and rain are common. June–September is the reliable window; July–August averages about 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). April–May is shoulder season — check conditions.Mildest part of the state; lake-effect cloud and rain are common. June–September is the reliable window; July–August averages about 68–77 °F (20–25 °C). April–May is shoulder season — check conditions.

• Vorarlberg: Valleys and Arlberg · Montafon, Bregenzerwald, Lechsnow

  Snow from December to March; December daytime highs near 1 °C (34 °F) in the valley. Above 700–1,000 m expect about 100 cm of snow in a normal winter. June–September is the hiking window; April–May is shoulder season — check conditions.Snow from December to March; December daytime highs near 34 °F (1 °C) in the valley. Above 700–1,000 m expect about 100 cm of snow in a normal winter. June–September is the hiking window; April–May is shoulder season — check conditions.

• Vienna3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Alpbach3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 12 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 12 rain days
• Amstetten3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Attnang‑Puchheim2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 10 rain days
• Bad Aussee2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Bad Gastein-2 °C (28 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 8 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 8 rain days
• Baden3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Bischofshofen3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 6 rain days
• Bludenz2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Bregenz4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Bruck an der Mur2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Dornbirn4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
• Dürnstein2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Ehrwald2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Eisenstadt2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Ellmau2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 10 rain days
• Emmersdorf an der Donau2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Feldkirch3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
• Fieberbrunn2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 10 rain days
• Flachau2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 12 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 12 rain days
• Freistadt1 °C (34 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 10 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 10 rain days
• Friesach2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 6 rain days
• Fügen2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 8 rain days
• Fugging2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Graz3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 9 rain days
• Gröbming2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 10 rain days
• Güssing3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 7 rain days
• Hall in Tirol3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Hallein3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Hallstatt2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 12 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 12 rain days
• Hartberg4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 12 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 12 rain days
• Heiligenblut2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 10 rain days
• Hintertux-2 °C (28 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 8 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 8 rain days
• Hohenems2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 12 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 12 rain days
• Igls4 °C (39 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 9 rain days
• Innsbruck4 °C (39 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Ischgl2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Kals0 °C (32 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 8 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 8 rain days
• Kapfenberg2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Kaprun-1 °C (30 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 60 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 60 rain days
• Kitzbühel1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 10 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 10 rain days
• Klagenfurt1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 6 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 6 rain days
• Kleinarl1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 10 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 10 rain days
• Klosterneuburg3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Knittelfeld2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 6 rain days
• Krems an der Donau2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Krimml1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 10 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 10 rain days
• Kufstein2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 10 rain days
• Langen am Arlberg2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Lech and Zürs am Arlberg-2 °C (28 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 6 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 6 rain days
• Leoben2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Lermoos1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 10 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 10 rain days
• Lienz2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 12 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 12 rain days
• Liezen2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Linz2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
• Mayrhofen2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 10 rain days
• Melk2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Mödling3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Montafon2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 6 rain days
• Murau2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Nassfeld1 °C (34 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 8 rain days
• Neusiedl am See2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Oberndorf bei Salzburg and Laufen, Bavaria3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Perchtoldsdorf2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Pinswang2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 10 rain days
• Pörtschach3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Reutte2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 10 rain days
• Rust3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
• Salzburg3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 10 rain days
• Salzkammergut2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Sankt Michael2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Schärding2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Schladming1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 10 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 10 rain days
• Schwaz2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• See-2 °C (28 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 10 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 10 rain days
• Semmering1 °C (34 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 10 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 10 rain days
• Serfaus-2 °C (28 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 8 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 8 rain days
• Spielberg3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 12 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 12 rain days
• Spittal an der Drau4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Spitz2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• St. Anton-2 °C (28 °F) / -10 °C (14 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 14 °F (-10 °C), 5 rain days
• St. Christoph-1 °C (30 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 10 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 10 rain days
• St. Johann im Pongau3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• St. Johann in Tirol2 °C (36 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 9 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 9 rain days
• St. Pölten3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Stainz3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 6 rain days
• Steinfeld1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 6 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 6 rain days
• Steyr2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Stubaier Gletscher-2 °C (28 °F) / -10 °C (14 °F), 12 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 14 °F (-10 °C), 12 rain days
• Tamsweg2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
• Thermenland3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Traun2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
• Tulln2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Velden2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 6 rain days
• Villach2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 6 rain days
• Vils in Tirol2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 10 rain days
• Vöcklabruck2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
• Warth and Schröcken2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Wattens2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Weißenkirchen in der Wachau3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Wels3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Wiener Neustadt3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Wörgl2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Zell am See-7 °C (19 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 59 rain days19 °F (-7 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 59 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• New Year's Day

  1 Jan

  Vienna Philharmonic New Year's concert (tickets by lottery); shops closed.

• Epiphany

  6 Jan

  Public holiday; ski resorts full to this date.

• New Year’s Concert and Epiphany

  1 and 6 January · Vienna

  Public holidays; shops closed, and the New Year’s Concert is by lottery.

• Ball season

  January to Ash Wednesday · Vienna

  Roads near the Hofburg close; formal dress fills restaurants.

Crowds · Austria

Medium

Prices · Austria

Medium

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Austria, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• High Alps

  Best weather of the year (Ötztal, Arlberg (St Anton), Hohe Tauern, glaciers)

• Alpbach

  Best months: Dec–Mar for ski, May–Sep for hiking and lakes

• Bad Gastein

  Best months: Dec–Mar for ski; Jun–Sep for hiking and biking

• Bischofshofen

  Best months: Jan–Mar, Dec–Feb (ski season) and Sep–Oct (mild hiking)

• Ehrwald

  Best months: Jun–Sep for hiking, Dec–Mar for skiing

• Ellmau

  Best months: Jun–Sep (hiking), Dec–Mar (skiing)

• Fieberbrunn

  Best months: Dec–Mar (snow), Jun–Sep (hiking)

• Flachau

  Best months: Dec–Apr (ski), May–Oct (hiking & spa)

• Fügen

  Best months: Dec–Mar for ski, Jun–Sep for thermal baths

• Gröbming

  Best months: Dec–Mar for skiing; Jun–Sep for hiking

• Hintertux

  Best months: Dec–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and glacier melt runs

• Igls

  Best months: Jun-Sep for hiking and the alpine garden; Dec-Mar for skiing