January may bring cold temperatures to the UK, but there is still plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed (Image: Getty Images)
January might be one of the coldest months of the year in the UK but there are still plenty of places around the world enjoying toasty temperatures and golden sunshine. And with so many airlines and travel operators offering January sales, it’s a great time to scoop up a bargain and start the year in style.
Some of the best TUI deals and Jet2 flight and holiday offers can be snapped up in January and British Airways also has a number of holidays on sale right now. Even if you leave things down to the wire, there are plenty of last-minute holiday options out there too which could even prove more lucrative than booking in advance.
But if you’re struggling to decide where you want to go, and the thermometer is on your mind, there are some locations which prove more reliable for January sunshine. Though most of the best destinations for sunshine are long-haul hotspots, there are some countries in Europe which enjoy milder winter temperatures.
We’ve used Met Office data to round up some of the best January sunshine hotspots. Scroll down to find your perfect, toasty January holiday destination, as well as some deals on flights and holidays, or click on the links to jump to the relevant section.
All deals included in this article are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change.
1. Cancun
Located on the southeast coast of Mexico, Cancun is a popular holiday hotspot for tourists from around the world, with plenty of package holiday options available for those who want to make planning their trip easy. With plenty of golden sand beaches and warm sea temperatures, it’s a great destination for those who want to lounge on the shoreline all day. By day, you can anticipate average daily highs of 30.5C – notably higher than the chilly temperatures back home in the UK.
And to top it off, rainfall is minimal during the Mexican summer, with January being one of the driest months of the year, according to Met Office data.
Cancun has a dedicated hotel zone, which frequently hosts entertainment for holidaymakers to enjoy, along with a 22km stretch of beach overlooking turquoise waters.
Express.co.uk has independently searched the web to find some of the best deals on offer for a January holiday to Cancun:
Cancun is in the middle of its summer in January (Image: Getty Images)
2. Barbados
Despite the winter season arriving in the UK, sitting just 13 degrees north of the equator, Barbados enjoys a hot, tropical climate in the winter months. In January, average highs reach 29.1C, with rainfall at its lowest – just 82mm for the whole month.
Barbados is known for its stunning, sandy stretches of beach and luxury resorts, many of which have access to their own private shoreline spots. And with warm water in January, it’s a great location for those who want to enjoy a dip in the ocean or adventure-seekers looking to take part in water sports.
Barbados enjoys a hot, tropical climate in January with highs of around 29C (Image: Getty Images)
Express.co.uk has independently searched the web to find some of the best deals on offer for January holidays in Barbados:
3. Sydney
Sydney is by no means a short-haul destination, with Australia approximately 9,445 air miles from the UK. But if you’re looking for glorious summer days in January, it’s a great destination.
January is the hottest month in the calendar in Australia, and in Sydney, you can expect eight hours of sunshine and average highs of 27.4C. There’s also plenty to do in the capital city. You can discover the inner workings of the Syndey Opera House on a guided tour, which has been ranked as the number three thing to do in Sydney by Tripadvisor.
Daredevils can enjoy the experience of a lifetime by climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. If you prefer lounging on the beach, Bondi Beach is Sydney’s closest shoreline, although it is five miles away so you may want to hire a car for ease.
Alternatively, there are plenty of hotels boasting swimming pools for guests to enjoy and rooftop bars perfect for watching the summer sunset.
Sydney enjoys one of its hottest months in January (Image: Getty Images)
Express.co.uk has independently searched the web to find some of the best deals on offer for a January holiday in Sydney:
4. Tenerife
If you want warm weather a little closer to home, the Canary Islands are known for their year-round sunshine. Tenerife, in particular, is a fairly reliable destination for those seeking winter sun.
Though it’s not as hot as some long-haul destinations, the country still enjoys an average high of 21.1C in January and six hours of sunshine each day.
However, there is a slight chance of rain, sitting at around 41 mm of average rainfall per month. The south of the island is usually much warmer and drier, so if sunshine is what you’re after, you should consider heading to the likes of Callao Salvaje or Costa Adeje.
Tenerife is a great short-haul holiday option for winter sunshine (Image: Getty Images)
Express.co.uk has independently searched the web to find some of the best deals on offer for a January holiday in Tenerife:
5. Lanzarote
With an average direct flight time of four hours and 15 minutes, Lanzarote is another Canary Islands hotspot with much warmer temperatures than what you will experience in the UK in January. Playa Blanca is one of the island’s warmest locations in the early part of the year.
According to the Met Office, the Playa Blanca experiences an average high of 20.5C and around seven hours of sunshine each day. However, there is a slight increase in rainfall during January with averages reaching 22 mm. The Met Office states that this is to be expected “infrequently and passes quickly”.
Having visited in January 2023, Tripadvisor contributor Duncan said: “Lovely winter sun holiday in Playa Blanca. The walks along the promenade were the highlight. Enjoyed stopping off at the many cafe bars for a coffee or a cocktail.
“Well worth the walk to the marina on market day (Saturday). The coach tour of the island including the Timanfaya Volcano National Park and the beautiful Jameos del Agua was an excellent day. Better on a coach than a hire car as there is a coach-only road around the volcanoes.”
Playa Blanca is a ‘lovely winter sun’ holiday destination in January according travellers (Image: Getty Images)
Express.co.uk has independently searched the web to find some of the best deals on offer for a January holiday in Lanzarote:
How much cheaper are flights and holidays in January?
Flights and holidays typically drop in price at the start of the year, especially with Christmas travel coming to an end and summer so far in the future.
“With the holiday season out of the way, cheap flights in January are usually easy to come by,” explained an expert from Expedia.
“Depending on where you want to go, plenty of airlines offer incredible January sale flights domestically and further afield for a generous dose of warm weather.”
And with no school holidays falling in January, you can expect fairly low prices for the entirety of the month. However, flexibility is often the key to securing a deal, so if you can be open about when you want to fly you’re likely to see the best prices.
If you want to take your savings a step further, experts from Skyscanner recommend travelling on what data shows to be the “best day of the week” to fly.
Based on Skyscanner’s data and flight price history, mid-week is the cheapest time to fly. Travelling on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday could save you “somewhere between 15 and 25 percent”.
Sitting nicely between the peaks of Christmas and Easter travel periods, there are bargains aplenty to destinations worldwide.
With the holiday season out of the way, cheap flights in January are usually easy to come by. Depending on where you want to go, plenty of airlines offer incredible January sale flights domestically and further afield for a generous dose of warm weather! Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
How to find a cheap package holiday in January
Most package holiday arms of major airlines, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, offer their own holiday deals throughout the year. However, the time of year you choose to book can play a big role in just how much you can save on a package holiday, but there isn’t really one set time when holidays are cheaper.
Keeping an eye out for seasonal deals and sales can help you secure a bargain, with major discounts on offer as the seasons change. However, being spontaneous can also pay off.
Many package holiday providers and airlines offer fantastic last-minute deals to help them fill up holidays, but the key here is being flexible with your destination and dates of travel.
How to get the best deal on a flight or holiday in January
You may have discovered an offer that seems too good to be true on a January flight or holiday, but how can you figure out whether or not you’ve managed to get the absolute best price available?
Most travel operators and holiday providers offer the option to sort flights and holidays by price from low to high, which means you can sort through the best available prices. However, if you want to compare them with other airlines or package holiday providers, a price comparison website could be your best friend.
These websites work by pulling data from an array of travel agents and airlines to provide a list of flight or holiday results relevant to your search. From there, you can see whether your holiday or flights are offered elsewhere for a lower price.
Many airlines and holiday providers recommend booking directly with them, rather than with a third party to avoid incurring excess booking fees. Before proceeding at check-out, it’s best to make sure there are no additional fees on your booking which can be avoided by purchasing directly with an airline or package holiday provider.
Holiday and flight comparison websites that can help you search for the best deal include:
