Month guide · Austin · United States
Austin in January
What January is really like in Austin: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 17°C (63°F), lows of 5°C (41°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 10.4 hours of daylight. Mild days and cool nights, with occasional cold snaps and rare ice storms; quiet for sightseeing.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 17°C (63°F) / 5°C (41°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 10.4 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Austin: days average 17°C (63°F) against a yearly average high of 27°C (81°F), and nights fall to about 5°C (41°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with December (18°C (64°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs climb to around 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:28
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:52
- Daylight
- About 10.4 hours
Winter (December–February). Mild and often sunny, with occasional cold fronts and rare ice storms; quieter and better value.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is March at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in March). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Austin, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
.JPG){kind=link}
Nature · Zilker and Barton Hills
Barton Springs Pool
Swim early in the morning on a summer weekday before the crowds and the heat.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Waterfront · Downtown
Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail
A reservoir on the Colorado River through central Austin, circled by the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, a loop of about 16 km.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Views
Park · Zilker and Barton Hills
Zilker Park
Combine it with Barton Springs and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden just across Barton Springs Road.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
Viewpoint · West Austin
Mount Bonnell
A short flight of about 100 stone steps climbs to one of the highest points in Austin, above Lake Austin, with views over the river, the hills and the 360 Bridge.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 17°C, lows near 5°C and 8 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Austin?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, March–April and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Austin in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Austin?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Mild days and cool nights, with occasional cold snaps and rare ice storms; quiet for sightseeing.
+How warm is Austin in January?
Average highs are around 17°C (63°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Austin in January?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.