Kyiv in January: a seasonal travel plan
Kyiv, Ukraine. In january, the average daytime high is -1.8 °C and the night-time low is -7.8 °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: Kyiv
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- -1.8 °C
- Nighttime low
- -7.8 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 44.4 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 11.5
- Daylight
- 8.5 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 | -1.9 | -7.4 | 4.3 |
| Days 11–20 | -2.2 | -8.6 | 3.1 |
| From day 21 | -1.4 | -7.5 | 4.1 |
What this month is like
Kyiv, Ukraine. In january, the average daytime high is -1.8 °C and the night-time low is -7.8 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 11.5 wet days on average, with about 44.4 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 8.5 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
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, thermal layers, a hat, gloves and insulated shoes with non-slip soles. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — -0.0 °C, January — -1.8 °C, next month — 1.1 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 13.2, 11.5 and 9.2.
Things to do
Kyiv spreads across hills above the Dnipro, and its outline is set by the domes of St. Sophia, the walls of the Lavra and the broad Khreshchatyk. Upper town, Podil and Pechersk sit at different levels, so the metro and funicular save effort while districts stay far apart.
St. Sophia and the Golden Gate
St. Sophia's Cathedral with eleventh-century mosaics stands minutes from the Golden Gate, and its bell tower is open for the climb. Follow Volodymyrska Street past St. Michael's with its blue walls and go down to Khreshchatyk.
Podil
Andriyivskyy Descent drops from the upper town to Podil past workshops, galleries and stalls of souvenirs. At the bottom, Kontraktova Square is busy and the riverfront opens onto the Dnipro and its bridges.
Pechersk Lavra
The Lavra occupies the hill above the Dnipro: bell tower, churches and the caves where monks are buried. The Motherland monument and the park of glory stand beside it, so allow half a day and walk down to the river.
Where to stay
Centre
The centre around Khreshchatyk suits a first stay: metro, theatres, cafes and the main cathedrals within reach. Streets are wide and busy, rooms are in demand, and quiet lanes begin a block from the main street.
Podil
Podil draws people for low houses, cafes and cobblestones, with a life of its own away from the official centre. Evenings bring the district alive, though the climb to the upper town is made on foot or by funicular.
Pechersk
Pechersk is green and calm: parks, embassies, museums and river views from the hills. Sights are close, yet shops are fewer, evenings quiet, wide avenues separate the blocks and some streets feel empty.
Getting to and around Kyiv
Air links to Kyiv are closed, so arrivals come by train, with services from Poland, Moldova and Romania ending at Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi station. The metro is the main way around, joining the station, Khreshchatyk and Podil, and a funicular climbs from Podil. The centre is walkable, but the hills cost time.
Three days in Kyiv
St. Sophia and Khreshchatyk
Begin at St. Sophia's and its bell tower, then walk to the Golden Gate and St. Michael's. After lunch descend to Khreshchatyk and follow the main street to Independence Square.
Podil and the river
Take Andriyivskyy Descent past galleries to St. Andrew's Church. Continue to Kontraktova Square and the riverfront, where the left bank, the bridges and moored boats come into view below.
Pechersk
Spend the morning at the Lavra, climb the bell tower and visit the caves. After lunch cross the park of glory to the Motherland monument and return to the centre.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1.8 | -7.8 | 44.4 | 11.5 | 8.5 |
| February | 1.1 | -5.6 | 42.8 | 9.2 | 10.0 |
| March | 7.2 | -1.8 | 41.3 | 9.7 | 11.9 |
| April | 14.5 | 3.8 | 54.5 | 10.6 | 13.8 |
| May | 19.7 | 9.0 | 70.0 | 12.7 | 15.4 |
| June | 25.0 | 14.8 | 64.5 | 13.0 | 16.4 |
| July | 26.6 | 16.2 | 62.1 | 11.8 | 16.0 |
| August | 27.6 | 16.0 | 33.6 | 6.6 | 14.5 |
| September | 22.2 | 11.0 | 38.8 | 7.7 | 12.7 |
| October | 14.0 | 4.7 | 56.1 | 8.3 | 10.8 |
| November | 5.1 | -1.0 | 53.8 | 10.1 | 9.1 |
| December | -0.0 | -5.2 | 60.5 | 13.2 | 8.1 |
Frequently asked questions
Kyiv: what is the temperature in January?
The average daytime high is -1.8 °C and the night-time low is -7.8 °C. Outdoor conditions are frosty. Keep walks short and alternate them with indoor stops.
How many days with precipitation are there in January?
On average, there are 11.5 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 44.4 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in January?
Pack a warm coat, thermal layers, a hat, gloves and insulated shoes with non-slip soles. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — -1.9 °C; 11–20 — -2.2 °C; 21 to month-end — -1.4 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in January?
The average is 8.5 hours. Daylight is limited. Set aside time for views and photographs before dusk.
Is Kyiv worth visiting in January?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around -1.8 °C and nights around -7.8 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Kyiv 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 Kyiv in January?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 8.5 hours.