Month guide · Seoul · South Korea
Seoul in January
What January is really like in Seoul: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Geomr~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims), CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 2°C (36°F), lows of -6°C (21°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 9.8 hours of daylight. The coldest month, with biting winds and occasional snow; clear skies and quiet palaces reward visitors who dress for it.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 2°C (36°F) / -6°C (21°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 9.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Seoul: days average 2°C (36°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about -6°C (21°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with December (4°C (39°F)), January is cooler; by February highs climb to around 5°C (41°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:45
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:37
- Daylight
- About 9.8 hours
Winter (December–February). Bitterly cold with sub-zero nights and occasional snow, but sunny days, festive lights and lower prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in October). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Seollal (Lunar New Year) — family holiday with palace events; some shops close (January or February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Market · Jongno
Gwangjang Market
Sit at a counter with a pancake and a bowl of makgeolli; go mid-afternoon on a weekday to avoid the evening crush.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Shopping
_(40236586235).jpg){kind=link}
Museum · Yongsan
National Museum of Korea
Korea's largest museum covers the peninsula from the Paleolithic to the Joseon dynasty, with gold crowns from the Silla kingdom, Goryeo celadon and a ten-storey marble pagoda in the main hall.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
Museum · Yongsan
War Memorial of Korea
Combine it with the National Museum of Korea, about 15 minutes away by subway or taxi.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Viewpoint · Jamsil
Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky
Korea's tallest building rises 555 metres over Jamsil, and its Seoul Sky observatory on the top floors has a glass-floored deck over the city.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Kids
- After dark
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 2°C, lows near -6°C and 6 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Seoul?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Seoul in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Seoul?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The coldest month, with biting winds and occasional snow; clear skies and quiet palaces reward visitors who dress for it.
+How warm is Seoul in January?
Average highs are around 2°C (36°F) and lows around -6°C (21°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Seoul in January?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.