Seoul in January

Very cold and dry; check Seollal dates.

All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.

January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• AprilGreatBlossoms and mild; palaces are busy.
• MayGreatWarm and dry; a good month.
• OctoberGreatBest month for walking; autumn colour.
• NovemberGoodCool and dry.

• SeoulHighs around 2 °C (36 °F), lows around -6 °C (21 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 36 °F (2 °C), lows around 21 °F (-6 °C), rain on about 8 days
• Seoul and north-west, South Korea · Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, the DMZcool

  Continental: dry winters down to −15 °C (5 °F) on cold snaps, hot humid summers. Fine dust (yellow dust and pollution) peaks Mar–Apr; the monsoon runs late Jun – Jul.Continental: dry winters down to 5 °F (−15 °C) on cold snaps, hot humid summers. Fine dust (yellow dust and pollution) peaks Mar–Apr; the monsoon runs late Jun – Jul.

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.

• Seollal (Lunar New Year) check

  Seollal 2027 falls around 6–8 February · Whole city

  Three-day holiday: small restaurants and markets close, palaces often open free, trains and buses out of Seoul sell out.

Crowds · South Korea overall

Low

Prices · South Korea overall

Low

South Korea overall: Cold and dry, low prices; ski in Gangwon; Seollal can fall late in the month — check.

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

• A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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