London in January
 

Did anyone ever go to London in mid-January? I would like to spend 9-10 days but I am scared that it'll be pretty cold. I found the average temperatures for January are between 5 and 10 degree Celsius. Does London ever get snow? What kind of clothes should I bring? How much tourists is there in January compared to the summer?

I also would like to know the best way to get cheap tickets to musicals (Hairspray, Lion King, Wicked...). I've always wanted to see them but I'm on a tight budget. Is it better to buy from home or when I get there?
Thank you!

I've been in London in late Jan for the last two years

and though one day two years ago there was a dusting of snow (shut the tube and roads virtually down for the morning)

the weather is rarely cold enough to snow

this Feb 2 it was sunny and over 60 and the whole week was in the 50s and sunny - better weather than i've seen in some summers there

snow or more likely ice is remotely possible but real snow very rare i believe

Yes, it's cold in London in mid-Jan. You'll also see very little daylight or sun for that matter. Sunrise is around 8am and sunset is around 4pm.

Where do you live? I don't think it's too much of a difference from say NYC or Boston. But if you live in Southern CA or the South, you'll find it quite cold and bleak.

Obviously, this is the low season, so yes, there'll be fewer tourists than summer. But London being London, it'll still have plenty of tourists.

Did anyone ever go to London in mid-January? I would like to spend 9-10 days but I am scared that it'll be pretty cold. I found the average temperatures for January are between 5 and 10 degree Celsius. Does London ever get snow?>>>

I live here. Yes London can be cold in January - aboput -5C is as bad as it can get, and temperatures of 5-10C are about right.

Yes London does get snow but it rarely settles. It does however completly throw the transport into chaos (we're not equipped for it)


What kind of clothes should I bring? How much tourists is there in January compared to the summer?>>>>

Bring warm clothes and some rain protection (it will certainly rain at some times during your stay)

There are significantly less tourists in January - but that still leaves plenty.


I also would like to know the best way to get cheap tickets to musicals (Hairspray, Lion King, Wicked...). I've always wanted to see them but I'm on a tight budget. Is it better to buy from home or when I get there?
Thank you!>>>

There's no "right" answer to this. One way is to go to the half price ticket booth in Leicester Square on the day of the performance. However you are far from guarenteed to get to see a particular show.

Many theatres run promotions during less busy times - look at their websites.

Yes cold is a relative term

In Feb early in London i thought spring had come - daffodils and flowers were blooming in parks

some trees were flowering - the grass was green

One sunday temps were in 60s and parks were full with picknickers, etc.

But yes 40s could be considered cold

and 30s real cold

and 20s freezing

But the whole winter at my home there are weeks when temps do not get above freezing and the daily high can be about zero F

So i find London balmy in dead of winter

Calif types will be shivering.

The snowbanks finally melted here about a week ago

&quot;<i>Calif types will be shivering</i>&quot; Hardly. Among the heaviest snow fall in all of the US is in eastern California. And Truckee CA is very often the coldest weather station in the entire country. Much, MUCH, <b>MUCH</b> colder than London <u>ever</u> experiences. But then again - maybe you are among those who think &quot;California&quot; only means LA . . . . .

nessa: Why are you &quot;scared&quot; of low temps. London does not get nearly as cold as places like Chicago, or NYC or Minnesota, or just about anywhere in the northern/northeastern USA. Take scarves/gloves/warm shoes and clothes you can layer and you'll be fine.

The TKTS booth in Leicester Square will have 1/2 price tickets to most but not all shows in London. So unless there is a blockbuster show that sells out, you will find plenty to choose from.

&lt; What kind of clothes should I bring? &gt;

Wool sweaters, wool pants, wool socks, boots, wool hat, wool scarf, gloves, a long wool coat. And an umbrella.

Actually - I almost never bring a long wool coat (or any wool coat). When I lived there and had my whole wardrobe available to choose from - sure. But when visiting, that is just not as practical since wool is not good in wet weather.

I bring a raincoat w/ a zipout liner. Mine is a s warm as most wool coats since the lining extends down the sleeves.

layering is the key IMO rather than say bringing gear that may be too heavy if it's 50s and gear too skimpy if it's in low 30s

layering allows you to change quickly as the weather is always apt to here

I come from a rather cold weather (Montreal, Canada on the East coast so we have probably colder temperatures than let's say NYC and probably way more snow). I like flying with only a carry-on so I do not like bringing tons of clothes. I usually like sightseeing in nicer weather because I don't need to wear that many clothes.

Since you already have cold weather clothing you won't have ANY trouble. I only use carry ons (the raincoat/liner goes in the overhead w/ my carry on - not inside the rollaboard suitcase)

Silk Long underwear is a great addition - very light, takes up almost no space in the bag, and is nice and warm. Good socks are a must. But otherwise - layering lighter clothing is generally better than taking heavy sweaters and such. Many bldgs are over heated so you'll want layers you can remove.

jj - yes So Cal where all the people live

you are soooooo mis-informed . . . . .

About 25% live in LA county. And just under 50% live in LA, San Diego, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties together.

That is a surprise really - but even most of No Cal is much warmer in winter than London - except higher elevations inland

Seattle would probably approximate a London winter weatherwise

I haven't been in Jan, but I recently got back from a chilly Easter visit. It snowed on Easter (just a dusting). The great thing about being in London is that the weather changes so fast! And when it's cold and/or wet and/or miserable there is so much to inside. Definitely don't let weather concerns keep you from London. It's a year round destination!

The odds are that despite the temperature it will feel damp and if you aren't dressed warmly you will feel as if your very soul is being sucked from you

London is warmer than NYC or Boston in the winter and rarely gets snow, while Boston gets quite a bit and NYC does some years (this year we had only about 10&quot; all together, but some winters we'll get 7 or 8 storms of 6&quot; plus, and a very heavy storm every 5 years or so).

The weather is more like what you would get in Virginia or even North Carolina.

Would it be comparable to Vancouver? I was there this February and found that it was much warmer than I expected.

From what I understood from your responses, I should bring many layers, good pair of socks and a good jacket.

What about shoes? Would I be fine with a good pair of walking/running shoes and a pair of &quot;city boots&quot; (not the kind that you go in the snow with)?

(Thanks everyone for all the answers! It's been very helpful!)

yes - those would be great shoe choices. Just make sure any shoes you take are <b>comfortable</b> because you'll walk your legs off . . . . .

In my understanding London in winter would be very comparable to Vancouver