The month in detail
What to expect in January
Winter in Zurich is cool (39°F during the day). Days are short (1.9h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Expect rain on 33% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
January ranks 11 out of 12 months in Zurich. Compared to December: −2°F daytime.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
2 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
-1°
Daylight
8.7h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 28
Compare
Is January the right month?
The best month in Zurich is July (7.9/10), 7.1 pts higher than January.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Zurich
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Zurich
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.
Country · Switzerland
🗣️LanguageGerman
💶CurrencySwiss Franc (Fr)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘVery expensive · 5/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 77°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 39°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘMay · 40%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Zurich ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
SwitzerlandTemperate climate with a 7.9 → 0.7 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
47.38°N · 8.54°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Zurich?
July is the best month with 77°F highs, 59°F lows, 7.4h of sunshine and 39.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Zurich get in July?
Zurich averages 7.4 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.4/10.
What is the rainiest month in Zurich?
December is the most unfavourable month with December has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Zurich in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 59°F, while afternoon highs average 77°F.
Is Zurich good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Zurich scores 0.8/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 7.4/10.
When should you avoid Zurich?
December is the most difficult month to visit Zurich, with December has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Zurich in January?
The average UV index reaches 2 in January in Zurich (low), with about 8.7h of daylight. No protection needed.