Kazan in January 2026 – Is it worth going on vacation? Weather and reviews, air temperature, how to dress, prices for tickets and hotels. What to do and what to see in Kazan at the beginning of January and after the New Year holidays, where to go with children and go on excursions – says Eurotraveler.
As we rightly and not only mentioned, Kazan is still fashionable and rapidly increasing in popularity tourist destination in Russia. In terms of the number of travelers received annually, the capital of Tatarstan is clearly second only to Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sochi.
Probably also the cities of the Golden Ring – if we consider them together and not separately.
Kaliningrad? Today he is apparently an equal competitor for Kazan. But distances – decide!
After all, in order to cover the ~820 km distance from Moscow to Kazan, you will need about 10-11 hours. If you go, for example, by car (by train – longer) and do not use an airplane.
To get to Kaliningrad by car used to take at least 16-17 hours. Plus a Schengen visa! Tourists will arrive in the western enclave of Russia today can only be by plane.
However, here we are talking about Kazan!
So, most travelers traditionally travel to Tatarstan in the summer, or at least in the fall. And this is justified.
Because in winter and, especially, in January it is cold in Kazan. Often – and very frosty.
However, if you are not afraid of such weather, are happy with sub-zero temperatures and abundant snow – in central Russia it becomes less and less every year – you gotta like it!
Weather in Kazan in January
Noticeably colder than Moscow. It’s not entirely clear why, though, since the cities are located at the same latitude.
Perhaps the capital city of Russia is so large that it independently warms the atmosphere by an extra 5-10 degrees. Either the more eastern – that is, the continental dislocation of Kazan – is responsible for the great cold.
Subconsciously, you expect more warmth from the city on the banks of the Volga – the great Russian river is in no way associated with the “northers”
But, as any meteorologist will tell you: the further from the sea inland the continent, the the climate is harsher. Well, that is, it becomes especially generous with temperature changes, hot summers and cold winters.
So in this case, it’s better for you to stock up on really warm clothes, rather than short jackets. And morally prepare for the cold test.
Usually the air temperature in Kazan in early January is -10-15 °C even during the day. At night, the atmosphere naturally cools by another 3-10 degrees “from above” (as a result, it can sometimes be -20-25 °C).
So what are the reasons to dress up in something? incredibly warm at sunset exist, and they are very thorough!
Please also note that the air humidity in Kazan even in January reaches 85-95%. That is, any cold is felt much more acutelythan in dry climates.
Stability for local winter weather not typical: both dips to -25 °C and below (down to -32 °C) and warming to a level of -2-5 degrees Celsius occur. In recent years, a sad trend has become more noticeable: long periods of cold weather of the order of -10-15 °C.
Which, of course, curious tourists are unlikely to be happy about! For exploring the Kazan Kremlin, wandering along Baumanskaya Street and Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda It’s difficult in such frosty weather.
Let’s pay attention to the local
Peculiarity
— at the end of January, the frosts in Kazan for some reason seem to loosen their grip. So if you go to Tatarstan on the cusp of February, you probably won’t find temperatures below -8-10 °C.
Sunny days at the same time A littlecloudy weather prevails. The normal precipitation is ~40-45 mm. Permanent snow cover is usually established in the capital of Tatarstan in December.
Length of day in Kazan on January 1 barely exceeds 7 hours (sunrise at 8.15 – sunset at 15.20). And reaches 8.5 hours at the end of the month.
- Prices for daily rental of apartments in Kazan
How to dress
It’s hard to overdo it: down jackets and sheepskin coats, knitted sweaters, hats, mittens, scarves will almost certainly be in place. Just like winter shoes with thick soles, you can get very stiff while walking around the city at the temperatures indicated above.
If you are going to celebrate the New Year in Kazan and intend to take your children with you, you should pay special attention to clothing. Pack more warm clothes, regardless of the desire to save on the size and weight of the suitcase.
For car tourists, of course, this is easier to do. Again, getting to know the capital of Tatarstan in winter is much more pleasant if you alternate walking with trips in a warm car interior.
Find out what you need to see in Kazan in 2-3 days in our detailed analysis.
Prices 2026
Obviously, the cost of tours, air tickets and hotels during the New Year holidays strives for the maximum possible. After all, even in our difficult times, people do not stop traveling. Trying to do this whenever possible!
Bus tours from Moscow involving a tour of Nizhny Novgorod, Vladimir and Suzdal cost from 25,000 rubles per person. Those wishing to make a similar trip from St. Petersburg need to prepare at least 35 thousand.
However, they will be provided with an acquaintance with the main attractions of the Russian capital
Air tickets from Moscow to Kazan and back for the New Year holidays will cost 15-20 thousand rubles per person (with or without luggage). You can buy a seat in a compartment carriage of a branded train for ~5,000 rubles – and that’s one way!
Therefore, after carefully studying the prices, you will find that traveling from Moscow to Kazan by car is the cheapest way. This means: a large company or family.
It should be remembered that in terms of all kinds of road restrictions and the number of control cameras (both speed and everything possible), Tatarstan is not much inferior to the capital. And it’s rare that a car traveler—even a careful one—returns from such a trip unloaded. at least one fine.
Again, in winter the roads, if not in the city, then outside it, are covered snow and ice. And the length of daylight hours is decreasing, clearly not contributing to increased traffic safety.
Hotels
there is enough in Kazan, and even in winter they set prices such that one might be surprised. The most “inexpensive”, albeit good options, will cost ~6 thousand rubles for two per night. Hotels located in or near the center they charge significantly more.
By spreading your attention to mini-hotels and guest houses, you can save money (especially if you agree to live in a room measuring 10-12 m2). Although we will advise you to take the next (logical step)!
Namely, study the proposals for daily apartment rental market. There are very good options there at a price of about 3-3.5 thousand rubles per day – although not during the New Year holidays!
Excursions in the capital of Tatarstan, fortunately, inexpensiveand their range and quality are only growing year by year. To take a full-scale bus and walking sightseeing tour of the city (duration 3-6 hours) will cost 1,200 – 2,000 rubles. To participate in something more modest, like a walking tour, you will pay about 1,000.
Things to do
We recommend getting to know the city better on guided tours. Like an inexpensive, but pleasantly complete sightseeing walk with a visit to the Kremlin and the Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda. And also in a more intimate format, for small groups – along the pedestrian streets of the city.
Having seen many historical figures: from Peter I and Catherine II to Fyodor Chaliapin. The latter, if you didn’t know, is a native of the Volga city!
The monument to the great opera singer now adorns the main street of Kazan, Bauman
Walking along it, you will also see very original examples of sculpture. For example, fat Kota Kazansky – according to legend, it was from Kazan to the St. Petersburg Hermitage that 30 mousecatchers proceeded on the orders of Catherine II. Or the Horse in a Coat, nestled next to the Moonshine Museum, which offers wonderfully educational tours.
Where to go
Even in winter there are many tourists drive around the outskirts of Kazan. Of course, because, for example, the city of Sviyazhsk is simply unique!
The Raifa Monastery is popular among pilgrims and travelers. You should definitely only go with a guide to explore the Bolgar Museum-Reserve, which “lives” on the site of an ancient city and the capital of a huge Volga state.
Those who do not want to sit in one place for a long time can go to Yoshkar-Ola. After all, the capital of the Republic of Mari-El over the past two decades has turned into an almost fabulous place.
And this is no exaggeration – Yoshkar-Ola is definitely worth adding to your travel list if you come to Kazan. Even though the highway distance between the cities is about 150 km!
- Where to go in January in Russia
- Places in Russia where you can be guaranteed to see the Northern Lights
- Weather and how to dress in January in St. Petersburg
- Is it worth going to Altai in winter and what to see
© Eurotraveler
