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Once the holiday rush is over, demand for air travel drops off, and January turns into one of the best months of the year for cheap flights. The trick is knowing where to go. Some destinations are in their quietest season, while others, mostly the warm ones, hit their peak right when everyone else wants to escape the cold.
Why January is a cheap month to fly
Airlines price seats by demand. December is packed with holiday trips, and then most people go back to work and school. Business travel picks up slowly, vacation days have been used up, and many travelers are paying off holiday spending. That leaves airlines with plenty of empty seats, so fares on many routes drop compared with the holidays and with spring and summer.
A few things to keep in mind:
- The first days of January are not cheap. Return trips after New Year's are some of the busiest of the season. Prices tend to ease once that rush is over.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend (the third Monday of January) brings a small bump in demand, especially to ski towns and warm-weather spots.
- Midweek flights are usually cheapest. Tuesday and Wednesday departures often beat Friday and Sunday. Our guide to the cheapest day to fly explains why.
- Weather can cause delays. Winter storms hit northern hubs, so leave extra time on connections and consider travel insurance.
Cheapest US cities to fly to in January
These destinations are generally in their low or shoulder season in January, which means less competition for seats and hotel rooms.
Las Vegas
Vegas is a year-round city, but January outside the big events is one of its slower stretches. Days are mild and sunny, nights are chilly, and pool season is mostly over, so you will be spending time on shows, food and day trips. The one big exception is the huge tech show held in early January each year, when hotel prices spike across the Strip. Check the convention calendar before you pick dates.
- Flights: New York to Las Vegas, Chicago to Las Vegas, Dallas to Las Vegas
- Where to stay: Las Vegas hotels
- Ideas: things to do in Las Vegas besides gambling
Chicago
Chicago in January is cold, and that is exactly why it is cheap. Tourism slows down, hotels compete for guests, and the city's indoor attractions are at their best without summer lines: world-class art and science museums, the aquarium, architecture, theater, jazz clubs and deep-dish pizza. Pack a real winter coat and you get a big city at a discount.
- Flights: Los Angeles to Chicago, Atlanta to Chicago, Boston to Chicago
- Plan it: things to do in Chicago and Chicago hotels
Nashville
Music City is a hugely popular weekend trip in spring, summer and fall. January is quieter, and the honky-tonks on Broadway, the Ryman, the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame keep going all winter. Weather is cool and sometimes icy, but most of what people come for happens indoors.
- Flights: Dallas to Nashville, New York to Nashville, Chicago to Nashville
- Plan it: things to do in Nashville
New Orleans
New Orleans is mild in January compared with most of the country, and early in the month it can be a good value. Carnival season officially begins on January 6, and parades, crowds and hotel rates build steadily toward Mardi Gras, which falls in February or early March depending on the year. If you want king cake and a taste of Carnival without peak prices, go in early to mid January.
- Flights: Chicago to New Orleans, Houston to New Orleans, Washington, D.C. to New Orleans
- Plan it: New Orleans hotels and things to do in New Orleans
New York City
After the holiday decorations come down, New York gets noticeably quieter. January is a good time for Broadway, museums and restaurants, and many hotels lower their rates compared with December. If you have a few days off, it is one of the easiest city breaks to do on a budget, especially with our list of free things to do in New York.
- Flights: Chicago to New York, Miami to New York
- Where to stay: New York hotels
Cheapest places to fly in Europe in January
Winter is low season for flights across the Atlantic, apart from the Christmas and New Year's weeks. Our guide to the cheapest time to fly to Europe covers this in depth, but here are the cities that work best in January:
- London. The busiest route across the Atlantic, with lots of competition. Museums, theater and pubs make winter easy. See New York to London and things to do in London.
- Paris. Short days, but the museums are calmer and the cafes are cozy. See Chicago to Paris and our guide to Paris on a budget.
- Dublin. Damp and gray, but friendly, compact and full of indoor fun. See Boston to Dublin.
- Lisbon. One of the mildest capitals in Europe in winter, with plenty of sunny days. See New York to Lisbon and things to do in Lisbon.
- Rome and Madrid. Cool but rarely freezing, with famous sights that are far less crowded than in summer. See Washington, D.C. to Rome and Miami to Madrid.
For more ideas, see our wider list of cheap international destinations from the US.
Warm destinations that get more expensive in January
If you are hoping to escape winter, be realistic about price. These places are in high season in January, because everyone else has the same idea:
- Hawaii. Winter is a peak season, especially around the holidays and whale season. See our guide to the cheapest time to fly to Hawaii.
- Florida. Snowbirds fill Miami, Fort Lauderdale and the Gulf Coast. Orlando is an exception worth checking: theme park crowds often thin out after New Year's week. See Orlando on a budget.
- Cancun, Mexico and the Caribbean. Dry season and peak demand from the US and Canada. Read best time to visit Cancun before you book.
- Ski towns. Mountain resorts in Colorado and Utah are in full season, and flights and lodging there price accordingly.
That does not mean you cannot find a deal to a warm place. It just means you should book early, stay flexible, and compare several airports.
How to find the cheapest January flights
- Search the whole month. A flexible date search often shows big differences between days. Mid to late January is usually the sweet spot.
- Book a few weeks to a couple of months ahead. For domestic trips, booking about 1 to 3 months ahead is a sensible target. For Europe, aim a bit earlier. More tips in how to find cheap flights.
- Fly on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday. Avoid the Friday and Sunday rush.
- Compare nearby airports. New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago and the Bay Area all have more than one airport.
- Watch bag fees. A low basic economy fare can cost more once you add a checked bag for winter clothes.
- Compare across many airlines. A meta search like Aviasales checks lots of airlines and travel sites at once, so you can see the cheapest options for your dates.
Is January a good time to travel?
For many trips, yes. You trade warm weather for lower prices and smaller crowds. City breaks are the big winner, since museums, restaurants and shows do not care about the weather. If your heart is set on a beach, plan for high-season prices and book early. Either way, starting the year with a trip is a great cure for the post-holiday slump.
Frequently asked questions
- Is January a cheap month to fly?
- Yes, after the first week or so. Once the New Year return rush is over, demand drops and fares on many routes fall compared with the holidays and with spring and summer. Warm destinations like Hawaii, Florida and the Caribbean are the exception, because January is their high season.
- What are the cheapest US cities to fly to in January?
- Cities in their off-season are usually the best value, such as Chicago, Nashville, Las Vegas outside big convention weeks, New Orleans before Mardi Gras crowds build, and New York after the holidays. Compare live fares from your airport, since prices change all the time.
- Is it cheap to fly to Europe in January?
- January is part of Europe's low season for flights from the US, apart from the New Year holiday. Big gateways with lots of competition, such as London, Dublin, Paris and Lisbon, are often good value.
- What is the cheapest day to fly in January?
- Midweek days, especially Tuesday and Wednesday, are usually cheaper than Fridays and Sundays. Avoid the first few days of January and Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend if you want the lowest fares.