Cheapest place to vacation in january

Ever wonder where you could find the cheapest place to vacation in January? With the cold winds of winter coming down, not many people would think of traveling. However, if you haven’t done your research yet and want to squeeze some last minute value from your vacation budget; this article is for you. I conducted a trial looking at 4 different destinations for the month of January for two adults and two 10-year olds. I did this without knowing the costs before writing this article. My goal was to find out where is the cheapest place to travel in January and give you tips to save money on your next vacation!

If you’re looking for a cheap place to take a family vacation in January, we’ve got you covered. It seems like destinations are cheaper to travel to during off season. Well, one good thing about winter is that it brings lower costs on airfare and hotels (as opposed to high season summer when people are out of school or looking for a break after the holidays).

Most people don’t think of January as a great time to take a vacation. But there are some places that are much more affordable in January than they are at other times of the year, and if you’re looking for an affordable vacation this month, these locations might be worth considering.

Cheapest Places to Vacation in January

1. China: China is one of the cheapest places to visit any time of the year, but it’s especially affordable in January. The weather is generally mild (though some areas will experience cold snaps), and it’s easy to find cheap flights from most major cities.
2. Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka is another country that offers cheap flights and lodging throughout the year, but especially in January when prices drop even farther than usual due to lower demand and lower temperatures.
3. India: India has long been one of the most popular destinations for budget travelers because it offers incredible cultural experiences at very low prices—and this holds true throughout the year, but especially so in January when rates drop even lower than usual due to less demand during colder weather months (though temperatures are still warm enough for outdoor activities).

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Chicago, Illinois

Of Chicago‘s many selling points (world-class museums, storied sports teams, and a celebrated art, music, and comedy scene) the most interesting is probably the food. Hailed as a top food city, Chicago’s restaurants are some of the best and most inventive in the country. When in Chicago eat as Chicagoans do, with (un)traditional deep-dish pizza at Pequod’s or the perfect burger at Au Cheval, both quintessential stick-to-your-ribs foods for winter. You can’t leave Chicago without at least trying to get a reservation at one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the country: Try Roister, Grant Achatz’s newest endeavor, or Duck Duck Goat from Top Chef alum Stephanie Izard.

In January, Chicago hotels are 50 percent more affordable than the most expensive time of the year, and an average round-trip ticket is a very affordable $179.10.

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Boston, Massachusetts

During an affordable winter trip to Boston, travelers can stay warm by checking out the city’s venerable museums. There’s the family-friendly Museum of Science and the award-winning Children’s Museum, for example, while grown-ups might prefer the spectacular Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, built in the style of a 15th-century Venetian palazzo (try to time your visit with a Sunday afternoon classical music concert). Boston is also home to one of the best concert halls, acoustically, in the world. Catch a performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Symphony Hall, which offers free tours on select afternoons.

Brave the cold in January and you’ll enjoy a 53 percent savings on hotel rates compared to the most expensive time of the year, with flights costing an average of $200.66.

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Toronto, Canada

As the most populous city in Canada (our 2017 Destination of the Year) and one of the most diverse cities in the world, Toronto has become a hotbed of cultural activity. With a Chinatown, a Koreatown, a Little Italy, a Little Portugal, and a Greek Town, tasting your way through the city’s ethnic cuisine is one of the best ways to keep warm in January. Plus, the PATH system — the world’s longest underground shopping complex at 19 miles long — connects various subway and rail stations with popular attractions, such as the landmark CN Tower and the Hockey Hall of Fame (when in hockey country, one must pay homage to its most beloved sport). In January you can also get a preview for what’s in store at Fringe Festival while rubbing elbows with Canada’s cultural elite. The Next Stage Festival, one of the premiere theater events of the year, is when past Fringe artists present their newest work.

Toronto hotels in January are 33 percent more affordable than the most expensive month of the year, while round-trip flights from all U.S. destinations will cost an average of $280.65.

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Montreal, Canada

Perhaps only in Canada will people willingly subject themselves to the “coldest music festival in the world.” The appropriately named Igloofest takes place on the Old Port waterfront in January and features big names like Kaytranada and Bonobo. If partying to electronic beats isn’t your thing, take a spin around Montreal’s old city for pure wintry romance. Saint Paul Street, with buildings dating back to the 17th century, is the definition of old-world charm, replete with fairy lights and horse-drawn carriages. As Montreal’s craft beer scene is booming, get cozy at Pub BreWskey to have a pint paired with a heaping plate of poutine. Continue your tour of Montreal’s comfort food in the vibrant Mile End neighborhood.

Visit Montreal in January for 31 percent off from the most expensive month. The average price of a flight this month is $286.67.

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Bogotá, Colombia

Though Colombia’s capital is often relegated to an airport layover by those heading straight to Cartagena or Medellin, revitalized Bogotá is becoming a destination in its own right. Wander La Candelaria, sip Colombian coffee, and learn about the country’s complex political and social history at Museo Botero, Museo del Oro, and Museo Nacional. For an unforgettable night out, venture to Andrés Carne de Res in Chia, about an hour outside the city. You will be greeted with a shot of tequila at the door before feasting on steak, ceviche, and aguardiente. Dance the night away under neon lights to the pulsing sounds of rumba — all while circus-like performers flit about. After Andrés, the perfect place to bed down (and potentially nurse a hangover) is the quite affordable Four Seasons Casa Medina, which offers a third night free to entice would-be day trippers for a longer stint.

While traveling to Bogotá in January will yield a modest 8% savings on hotel rates, flights will cost an average of $448.06 from all U.S. cities. Plus, once you’re in Colombia, day-to-day costs will be extremely wallet-friendly.

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Helsinki, Finland

While the thought of Finland in January might scare you, Helsinki is actually not as frigid as you might think, with average temperatures in the 20s and 30s (cold, yes, but doable). The city makes good on its World Design Capital designation with a host of unique museums, event spaces, and saunas that exemplify modern design integrated into urban life. A prime example: the Chapel of Silence, a round, windowless structure in the middle of the city that invites visitors for a moment of tranquility and contemplation amid the downtown bustle. Join in the Finnish obsession with sauna (the country of 5.5 million people has more than 3 million of them) and sweat away the cold at Löyly, housed in a sleek wooden building on the waterfront. If you ever wanted to try Nordic wild game, now’s your chance: the sauna’s restaurant serves reindeer mousse and elk meatballs. With mashed potatoes and lingonberries, it’s the perfect meal to warm you up on a cold winter night.

In January, hotels are 26 percent cheaper than the most expensive month of the year, and flights will set you back an average of $539.39.

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Stockholm, Sweden

Sweden’s capital practically wrote the book on modern Nordic design and trendy neighborhoods full of hip creatives — you could spend days hopping from happening bars to design collectives to sceney restaurants. But immerse yourself in history to get a fuller picture: Gamla Stan, where Stockholm was founded in 1252, is one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centers in all of Europe — not to mention one of the most picturesque. Gamla Stan’s oldest square, Stortorget, for example, is a fairytale row of pretty red and orange houses. Just across the square you can learn about the Nobel Prize and its laureates at the Nobel Museum. And be sure to visit the fascinating Vasa Museum. Even for those who think they won’t be interested in Viking history, the gigantic restored battleship that is the museum’s centerpiece (95 percent of which is from the original) inspires awe about life as a 17th-century Viking.

While a trip to Stockholm is typically expensive, going in January means you can feel less guilty about the cost of food and drink while there because of discounts on hotels and flights. Hotels will be 27 percent less expensive than the most pricey month, and flights average $541.62.

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San Diego, California

There may be no more laid-back city in America, and it’s easy to see why. With balmy, practically perfect weather year-round, and a front seat to gorgeous Pacific coast vistas, residents don’t have too much to complain about. And unlike other cold-weather destinations on this list, even in January, you can head outdoors to rejoice in the sun. Nosh on a breakfast burrito and people-watch at Oscar’s Mexican Seafood in Pacific Beach, or sip a sunset drink on the deck of Hotel del Coronado. In between, visit Balboa Park. Its beautiful Spanish architecture, various museums, and manicured gardens (not to mention the San Diego Zoo), will keep you entertained for hours. San Diego is also home to over 130 craft breweries, churning out award-winning beers and pioneering the West Coast IPA. In January you can sample local brews, as well as the city’s most popular food trucks, at the San Diego Brew Festival.

While San Diego is a great destination any time of year, going in January will afford you 37 percent savings on hotel rooms. Flights this month are also cheap, with round-trip tickets an average of only $274.95.

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Porto, Portugal

Portugal is still enjoying a steady rise in popularity. A flourishing economy has helped create a huge tourism boom, landing Lisbon and the Algarve Coast at the top of many travel bucket lists. But don’t underestimate dreamy Porto. This romantic city will win you over precisely because of its slow pace. Porto is compact enough that the best way to explore is on foot. Stroll along the Douro riverfront, admiring the stunning facades tiled with hand-painted azulejos, and samplepastéis de nata, an addicting custard tart, from bakeries along your path. Pick any cafe in the hilly Baixo district to enjoy sunset drinks — when you’re watching the sun cast a warm glow over the terracotta rooftops as you sip a one-euro glass of wine, you’ll wish you could stay longer.

Go in January when hotel rates are 36 percent cheaper than the most expensive month of the year, and flights are an average of $581.03.

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Oslo, Norway

As it perennially lands at the top of the world’s happiest countries list, there must be something about Norway that makes surviving — or rather, enjoying — the winter worth it. The hype about Oslo is growing due to its avant-garde art scene, hip coffee culture, exciting bars and gastronomy, all combined with a renewed effort by the city government to transform the waterfront into a place of social gathering. On one end of that waterfront is the Opera House, a shining example of contemporary design, with sleek angular lines that rise out of the water. On the other is the sloping wood and steel Astrup Fearnley, a Renzo Piano-designed contemporary art museum considered one of northern Europe’s best. Beat the cold by bar and restaurant hopping in ultra-cool Grünerløkka, which gives New York’s Williamsburg a run for its money. Once an industrial, working-class neighborhood, it’s been injected with new life by artists, musicians, designers, and chefs who have opened up galleries, performance venues, and boutiques alongside some of the city’s buzziest places to eat and drink.

Traditionally an expensive destination because of the strength of the Norwegian economy, you can help offset the cost of traveling there by going in January. Hotels are 31 percent more affordable than the most expensive time of year, and flights are an average of $582.98.