Edinburgh and London are close in January. Edinburgh averages 2–7°C with moderate (early) / low (rest of month) crowds; London 5–8°C with low crowds.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
Edinburgh and London
The verdict for January
Cold and dark, but Hogmanay carries the month in.
+Hogmanay’s final days + low prices after New Year
–Cold, short days, with the year’s highest crowds in the first few days
January opens with Hogmanay’s final celebrations and Edinburgh’s famous street party, then settles into one of the city’s quietest, cheapest stretches once the first week passes.
Quietest month, lowest rates
+One of London's quietest periods, with strong hotel value and easy access to major sights.
–Short, cold days and frequent rain limit outdoor time.
The cheapest, calmest way to see the big-ticket London sights.
Scores and crowd levels are my own judgement; temperatures are monthly averages. Higher scores are better: quieter, cheaper and more pleasant.
Another month