When to go · Bern

Bern in January

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (grey, cold, bears hibernate).

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: 3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) / −3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C); average high / low
Rain days: 10
Crowds: Medium; Switzerland overall
Prices: High; Switzerland overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Bern

Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (grey, cold, bears hibernate).

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Long-term averages

BernHighs around 3 °C (37 °F), lows around -3 °C (27 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 37 °F (3 °C), lows around 27 °F (-3 °C), rain on about 10 days
Plateau cities, Switzerland · Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucernecool
Fog (Hochnebel) can sit over the Plateau for days in November–February while the mountains are sunny — take a train up.
Bernese and central Alps, Switzerland · Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Engelbergbest weather
Skiing late December to early April ('best' in winter means snow); hiking late June to early October. Afternoon storms in July–August.

Switzerland overall: Prime ski month with cold, clear days; Plateau cities foggy; WEF closes Davos mid-month.

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

First month

Second month

January: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (grey, cold, bears hibernate).

May: Inside Bern's best window: May–Sep.

Bern: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.