United States, North America

Austin in January

Quiet and cheap. Cedar fever (mountain cedar pollen) peaks now and hits some visitors hard. Rare ice storms can shut the city for a day or two.

Quiet valueMild and changeable, highs near 62F (17C), occasional freezes

Austin Texas skyline, United States — AustinPhoto: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Austin. Quiet and cheap. Cedar fever (mountain cedar pollen) peaks now and hits some visitors hard. Rare ice storms can shut the city for a day or two.

Weather: Mild and changeable, highs near 62F (17C), occasional freezes
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What January is like in Austin

January in Austin is mild and changeable. Highs sit near 62F (17C), and a sunny patio afternoon can be followed by a cold snap and a frosty morning. Rare ice storms can shut the city down for a day or two. Crowds are the lowest of the year and hotel prices bottom out. The catch is cedar fever, the mountain cedar pollen that peaks now and can hit visitors hard.

This month suits budget travelers, museum lovers, and families doing a Texas history trip at a quiet pace. It is a poor pick for anyone with bad allergies or anyone wanting swimming holes and wildflowers. For warm days and bluebonnets, aim for April instead.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Austin this month.

The cheapest rooms of the year

Hotel rates hit their low point, especially Sunday through Wednesday, so a stay near South Congress or downtown is a bargain.

Texas history without crowds

The Capitol, the Bullock Museum, and the LBJ Library are calm on weekday mornings. Together they make an easy Texas history trip.

Live music every night

You do not need a festival to hear great music. The clubs on Red River, East Sixth, and South Congress have shows all winter.

What to pack for January

A warm jacket for cold snaps and chilly nights
Antihistamines for cedar fever
Layers for days that swing from cool to warm
Comfortable shoes for walking downtown

Our timing tip

Check the forecast for ice before you travel, since the city has little equipment for it, and stay midweek for the lowest hotel rates.

Book Austin for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Austin
Opens a hotel search for Austin in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Austin
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Austin
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Austin for January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Austin

Full guide

Barton Springs Pool

Go at opening on a weekday for the quiet swim. Check the city schedule for weekly cleaning closures and reduced winter hours before you drive over.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Congress Avenue Bridge bat flight

Roughly March through October, the Mexican free-tailed bats pour out at dusk. Watch from the bridge, the lawn by the Statesman site, or a boat on Lady Bird Lake. Late summer brings the biggest flights.

Tickets and tours →

Texas State Capitol

Taller than the US Capitol and free to tour, with guided tours daily. The grounds are a shaded escape downtown and a good first stop with kids.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Bullock Texas State History Museum

The best one-stop primer on Texas, a block from the Capitol. A reliable air-conditioned half day in summer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Peak bloom runs March through May. The spring plant sale and the bluebonnet fields make April the showpiece month.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake

Rent a kayak or paddleboard, walk the 10-mile Butler Trail loop, and picnic on the Great Lawn. Before 9am in summer is the only sane window.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the SXSW, ACL, F1, and UT football calendars before you book anything. A random weekend in October can cost double the weekend before it.
Stay midweek. Austin fills with weekend visitors and bachelor and bachelorette parties Thursday through Saturday; Sunday through Wednesday hotel rates drop hard.
Barbecue lines: arrive before the pit opens on a weekday, or order ahead where it is offered. Many famous spots sell out of brisket by early afternoon.
For bluebonnets, go on a weekday morning and drive past the famous roadside spots; fields a few miles farther out are just as good and nearly empty.

Know before you go

ACL Fest closes a large part of Zilker Park for weeks around the festival for setup and recovery, and Barton Springs parking and access are affected. Check city notices if a swim is on your October list.
Barton Springs Pool closes for regular cleaning and occasional flood debris; a big rain upstream can shut it for days. Always check the pool page the morning you go.
Hamilton Pool and many Hill Country swimming spots close swimming after heavy rain or for bacteria counts, sometimes for long stretches. Reservations do not guarantee a swim.
Central Texas sits in Flash Flood Alley. Spring and fall storms can flood low-water crossings in minutes. Never drive into water over a road; turn around.

Austin in January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Austin?

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Austin. Quiet and cheap. Cedar fever (mountain cedar pollen) peaks now and hits some visitors hard. Rare ice storms can shut the city for a day or two.

What is the weather like in Austin in January?

Mild and changeable, highs near 62F (17C), occasional freezes.

Is Austin crowded in January?

January is one of the quieter months in Austin; most sights can be done without long waits.