Winter Travel: Your Season, Your Way
Ski slopes, winter sun, Christmas markets, city breaks. Everything you need to plan the perfect cold-weather escape.
Winter is underrated as a travel season. Everyone rushes to book summer holidays and forgets that some of the best trips happen when it’s cold outside. Christmas markets in December. Ski season from January through March. Cheap city breaks in February when nobody else is flying. And if cold isn’t your thing, there’s always winter sun (the Canary Islands in January are genuinely lovely, and flights are half the price of August).
This page pulls together everything we’ve written about travelling in the colder months. Ski trip guides, winter sun picks, festive travel ideas, budget tips, and city break suggestions. Whether you want snow or you’re actively trying to escape it, start here.
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Nov – Mar
Peak winter season
25–30°C
Winter sun temps
From £30
Budget flights in Jan
100+ resorts
Across Europe
Dec peak
Book early for Christmas
Winter Travel Guides
Ski trips, winter sun, Christmas escapes, city breaks. Pick your kind of cold weather holiday and start planning.
Winter Sun Escapes
Christmas Travel
New Year Travel
Winter City Breaks
Skiing & Snowboarding
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FAQs
When is the cheapest time to fly in winter?
January is almost always the cheapest month. The post-Christmas dip means airlines drop prices hard, especially in the first two weeks of January. February half-term is a spike, but either side of it is good value too. For the best deals, book 6 to 8 weeks ahead and fly midweek.
What are the best winter sun destinations from the UK?
The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria) are the go-to picks because they’re only a 4-hour flight and sit around 20 to 24°C in winter. Beyond that, Morocco, Egypt, Cape Verde, and the Caribbean all work well. Budget and flight time are the main trade-offs. We’ve got a full guide to winter sun destinations on the site.
How much does a ski trip cost?
It depends hugely on the resort and your setup, but as a rough guide: a budget ski week in Europe (somewhere like Bansko in Bulgaria or Pas de la Casa in Andorra) can come in around £500 to £700 per person including flights, accommodation, and a lift pass. The French and Swiss Alps push that to £1,000 to £1,500+ easily. Gear hire, lessons, and eating out on the mountain are the costs that catch people off guard. That’s roughly $650 to $900 / €580 to €810 for budget, and $1,300 to $1,950 / €1,160 to €1,740 for the Alps.
Do I need travel insurance for a ski trip?
Yes, and standard travel insurance usually doesn’t cover skiing. You need a policy that specifically includes winter sports cover. This adds a bit to the cost (typically £10 to £30 extra / $13 to $39 / €12 to €35), but without it you’re looking at uncovered mountain rescue, medical treatment, and potentially tens of thousands in bills if something goes wrong. Don’t skip it.
What should I pack for a winter trip?
Layers. Always layers. A base layer (merino wool is the gold standard), a mid-layer fleece or down jacket, and a waterproof outer shell. Beyond that: warm socks, a good pair of waterproof boots, gloves, a hat, and a scarf or buff. If you’re skiing, we’ve got a full ski trip packing list that covers everything you’ll need on the slopes.
Are Christmas markets worth visiting?
Honestly, yes. The good ones are genuinely special. Germany (Cologne, Nuremberg, Dresden), Austria (Vienna, Salzburg), and Czechia (Prague) are the heavyweights. But they’re also packed and pricey in December. If you go, aim for weekdays and early in the season (late November to mid-December) to avoid the worst crowds. And budget more than you think for mulled wine and street food. It adds up fast.
Is it safe to drive in winter in Europe?
It can be, but you need to prepare. Many European countries legally require winter tyres or snow chains between November and March (Austria, Germany, and the Nordic countries all have rules). Check requirements for every country on your route before you leave. Rental cars in ski regions usually come with winter tyres fitted, but confirm this when booking. Black ice, mountain passes, and reduced daylight are the main hazards.
What's the best winter city break in Europe?
Prague, Budapest, and Tallinn are our top picks for value. You get beautiful old towns, cheap food and drink, and way fewer tourists than summer. For atmosphere, Vienna and Edinburgh are hard to beat in December. Seville and Lisbon are solid if you want milder weather (12 to 16°C) without flying long-haul.
Can I find cheap accommodation in winter?
Outside of ski resorts and Christmas market cities in December, winter is low season for most of Europe. Hotel prices in places like Rome, Barcelona, and Athens drop 30 to 50% compared to summer. Airbnb follows the same pattern. The exception is anywhere near a ski resort or a major Christmas event, where prices spike from late November through New Year. January and February are the sweet spot for cheap stays almost everywhere else.
How do I avoid getting ill while travelling in winter?
The usual stuff, mostly. Wash your hands, stay hydrated (heated planes and hotel rooms dry you out more than you’d think), and pack a basic travel first aid kit with paracetamol, cold/flu tablets, and throat lozenges. Vitamin D supplements are worth considering if you’re going somewhere with short daylight hours. And if you’re skiing, don’t underestimate altitude sickness. Take it easy on day one, drink water, and lay off the vin chaud until you’ve acclimatised.
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