India
The best time to visit
When to go to India
Go in the cool, dry season, October to March, for the most comfortable weather. April to June brings fierce heat, and the monsoon, July to September, brings the rains. The Himalaya and the far south follow their own rhythm.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Delhi. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jan.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Rainy season.
In short
The year at a glance
India is vast and its weather dramatic. Delhi in the north anchors the ratings, where the cool, dry winter from October to March is the obvious window to travel, the pre-monsoon months are intensely hot, and the monsoon brings heavy rain.
The exceptions are worth knowing. The Himalayan north, including Ladakh and the hill stations, is best in summer when the plains bake. The far south and Kerala have their own monsoon timing and stay warm year round, with the southwest rains arriving in June.
Month by month
India month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Delhi.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C / 68°F | 7°C / 45°F | 20 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. Delhi hotels in January |
| February | 24°C / 75°F | 10°C / 50°F | 18 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Delhi hotels in February |
| March | 30°C / 86°F | 15°C / 59°F | 15 mm | Ideal 93 | Hot and dry. |
| April | 37°C / 99°F | 21°C / 70°F | 10 mm | Good 52 | Very hot and dry. |
| May | 40°C / 104°F | 26°C / 79°F | 30 mm | Fair 32 | Very hot and dry. |
| June | 39°C / 102°F | 28°C / 82°F | 75 mm | Fair 36 | Very hot with a little rain. |
| July | 35°C / 95°F | 27°C / 81°F | 210 mm | Fair 41 | Very hot and wet. |
| August | 34°C / 93°F | 26°C / 79°F | 245 mm | Fair 38 | Very hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| September | 34°C / 93°F | 24°C / 75°F | 120 mm | Great 64 | Very hot and wet. |
| October | 33°C / 91°F | 18°C / 64°F | 15 mm | Ideal 80 | Hot and dry. |
| November | 28°C / 82°F | 11°C / 52°F | 5 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Delhi hotels in November |
| December | 22°C / 72°F | 8°C / 46°F | 8 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Delhi, Rajasthan and the north
October to March is prime, cool and dry, ideal for the Golden Triangle and the desert forts. Summer is brutally hot.
The Himalaya and Ladakh
June to September, when the high passes open and the plains are too hot. Winter closes much of the region with snow.
Goa, Kerala and the south
November to March for the beaches and backwaters. The southwest monsoon brings rain from June, earlier than the north.
Go for
Best time to visit India for
The Golden Triangle
October to March for Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, with comfortable days for sightseeing.
Beaches and backwaters
November to March in Goa and Kerala, the warm, dry window on the southern coasts.
The Himalaya
June to September for trekking in Ladakh, Spiti and the mountain valleys.
Tiger safaris
March to May, when the heat draws wildlife to the waterholes in the central national parks.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Holi, March
The festival of colour erupts across the north at the end of winter.
Diwali, October or November
The festival of lights fills cities and homes with lamps, fireworks and feasting.
Rainy season
Jul to Aug.
Extreme heat
Apr to Jul.
Where to stay
Where to stay in India
Compare hotels and rentals around Delhi, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions
Good to know
What is the best time to visit India?
When is the monsoon in India?
Is summer too hot to visit India?
Where else, and when
Every country on one map, or jump straight to another guide.