Frankfurt in January: a seasonal travel plan
Frankfurt, Germany. In january, the average daytime high is 4.2 °C and the night-time low is -1.4 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Choose a month
Selected month: January
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Frankfurt
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 4.2 °C
- Nighttime low
- -1.4 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 64.8 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 13.0
- Daylight
- 8.6 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 4.9 | -0.0 | 5.1 |
| Days 11–20 | 3.7 | -2.1 | 4.0 |
| From day 21 | 4.0 | -1.9 | 3.9 |
What this month is like
Frankfurt, Germany. In january, the average daytime high is 4.2 °C and the night-time low is -1.4 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 13.0 wet days on average, with about 64.8 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 8.6 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What to pack
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 5.6 °C, January — 4.2 °C, next month — 7.0 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 12.7, 13.0 and 11.0.
Things to do
Frankfurt stands on the Main, and the towers of the business district rise directly above the historic Römerberg. The centre is compact: the station is twenty minutes from the river, and trams and S-Bahn trains link it with Sachsenhausen and the airport.
Römerberg and the cathedral
Walk around Römerberg with its half-timbered houses and climb the cathedral tower when the stairs are open. The Main and the bank towers open below, and it is the quickest way to grasp the city's scale.
Museumsufer
Along the south bank of the Main, the Museumsufer holds the Städel, the Liebieghaus and the Museum für Kommunikation. The Städel, with old masters and modern work, takes half a day.
Sachsenhausen and apple wine
Order Apfelwein in a traditional Sachsenhausen tavern and try the local dishes. The district on the south bank is linked to the centre by tram across the bridge. The taverns fill up after work.
Where to stay
Altstadt
The Altstadt works for a first visit: Römerberg, the cathedral and the riverfront are close. There are many tourists and shops, and it stays lively in the evening. The Main is two minutes away.
Sachsenhausen
Sachsenhausen suits anyone who wants quiet streets and traditional taverns. The centre is about fifteen minutes by tram, and evenings are calmer. Trams run along the Main, and taxis wait by the bridge.
Westend
The Westend draws people for quiet streets, the university and a short walk to the Palmengarten. Restaurants are fewer than downtown, but the centre is within walking distance. Campus cafés fill up at lunchtime.
Getting to and around Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport lies twelve kilometres from the centre; S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 reach the Hauptbahnhof in about fifteen minutes. Trams and the U-Bahn run through the city, and the centre is walkable. Bridges over the Main link the Museumsufer with the Altstadt, and Sachsenhausen is a short S-Bahn or tram ride away.
Three days in Frankfurt
Römerberg and the museums
Start at Römerberg, climb the cathedral tower and walk to the Main. In the afternoon see the Städel on the Museumsufer. After the museum follow the promenade to the iron bridge.
Palmengarten and the Westend
Walk through the Palmengarten in the morning, then cross the Westend to the university campus. In the evening return to the centre, eat in the Altstadt and walk down to the Main.
Sachsenhausen and Mainz
Walk through Sachsenhausen to the river and the bridge, then take a regional train to Mainz. See the cathedral and the old town there. The journey takes half an hour, and trains back run hourly.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4.2 | -1.4 | 64.8 | 13.0 | 8.6 |
| February | 7.0 | -0.3 | 47.4 | 11.0 | 10.0 |
| March | 11.0 | 1.2 | 49.3 | 11.4 | 11.9 |
| April | 15.0 | 3.8 | 43.8 | 9.2 | 13.8 |
| May | 19.6 | 8.5 | 61.6 | 11.7 | 15.4 |
| June | 25.2 | 13.5 | 61.1 | 11.7 | 16.3 |
| July | 27.4 | 15.2 | 55.7 | 10.7 | 15.9 |
| August | 27.4 | 15.4 | 57.8 | 12.2 | 14.5 |
| September | 22.8 | 11.0 | 49.0 | 8.8 | 12.7 |
| October | 16.4 | 7.0 | 54.8 | 11.3 | 10.8 |
| November | 9.2 | 2.5 | 57.1 | 12.5 | 9.1 |
| December | 5.6 | 0.3 | 60.4 | 12.7 | 8.2 |
Frequently asked questions
Frankfurt: what is the temperature in January?
The average daytime high is 4.2 °C and the night-time low is -1.4 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and indoor activities for mornings and evenings.
How many days with precipitation are there in January?
On average, there are 13.0 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 64.8 mm. Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What should I pack for walks in January?
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 4.9 °C; 11–20 — 3.7 °C; 21 to month-end — 4.0 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in January?
The average is 8.6 hours. Daylight is limited. Set aside time for views and photographs before dusk.
Is Frankfurt worth visiting in January?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 4.2 °C and nights around -1.4 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Frankfurt on a wet day in January?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Frankfurt in January?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 8.6 hours.