January · United Kingdom
Best time to visit Edinburgh in January Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Edinburgh in January
Average temperature 4°C, 54 mm of rain, about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 94% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
January score
4.3/10
Ranked #10 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- 4°C
- Rainfall
- 54 mm
- Humidity
- 94%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 0
- Crowd Density
- Quiet / Uncrowded
- Average Expenses
- $$ · Moderate Cost ($$)
January in Edinburgh scores 4.3/10 for sightseeing and cultural travel - ranked #10 of 12. Expect around 4°C, 54 mm of rain, and roughly 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Edinburgh's Old Town climbs a volcanic ridge from the castle down to Holyrood, with the Royal Mile threading closes and courtyards between them.
January in Edinburgh — off-season conditions
At 4°C (39°F) this is proper winter weather in January: layer up and split the day between outdoor highlights and indoor stops.
Budget for roughly 54 mm of rain this month — a flexible day or two helps — with almost no days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 7.3 hours of daylight to work around it.
That is 4.3/10 on the same scale — 10th of 12 months, versus 8.7/10 for the best month here.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, a packable rain layer.
Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
If your dates are flexible, June is materially better in Edinburgh — 4.4 points higher on the same scale.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Edinburgh in January?
- In January, Edinburgh averages 4°C, 54 mm of rain, and about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 4.3/10.
- Is January a good time to visit Edinburgh?
- January earns a 4.3/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Edinburgh in January?
- Expect about 54 mm of rain in January. Average humidity is 94% and there are about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in Edinburgh
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.