Best time to visit · Delhi · India
The best time to visit Delhi
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Manjit Singh, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best months to visit Delhi are February, March and October, when days are warm and dry and nights are mild. November to January are cooler and busy with visitors, but fog and air pollution can be severe, so check air-quality forecasts. May and June are extremely hot, and July to September bring monsoon humidity and downpours.
Key facts
- Best months
- February–March and October
- Shoulder season
- April and November–January
- Warmest month
- May (avg high 40°C (104°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 20°C (68°F))
- Rainiest month
- August (~13 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–July
Seasons
Delhi has extremes: cool, foggy winters from December to February with smog that can be severe, an intensely hot pre-monsoon summer in May and June with highs around 40 °C, a humid monsoon from July to September, and pleasant, dry weather in October, November, February and March.
December–February
Cool season
Cool days and cold nights with frequent fog and poor air quality, especially in December and January; February turns sunny and pleasant.
March–June
Hot season
Warm and pleasant in March, then increasingly hot, with highs around 40 °C in May and June and dust storms.
July–September
Monsoon
Humid with heavy downpours and occasional flooding, but green parks and lower hotel prices.
October–November
Post-monsoon
Dry, warm days and festivals including Dussehra and Diwali; air pollution often rises sharply in November.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C | 8°C | 2 | 10.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| February | 24°C | 11°C | 3 | 11.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 30°C | 15°C | 2 | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 36°C | 21°C | 2 | 12.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| May | 40°C | 25°C | 3 | 13.6 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| June | 39°C | 27°C | 6 | 14 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| July | 35°C | 27°C | 12 | 13.8 h | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| August | 34°C | 27°C | 13 | 13.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| September | 34°C | 25°C | 6 | 12.3 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| October | 33°C | 20°C | 1 | 11.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 28°C | 13°C | 1 | 10.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| December | 23°C | 9°C | 1 | 10.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path (26 January); Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk (29 January) |
| February | India Art Fair (usually early February); Amrit Udyan gardens open to visitors (usually February–March) |
| March | Holi — festival of colours (usually March) |
| August | Independence Day — prime minister's address from the Red Fort (15 August); Raksha Bandhan (usually August) |
| October | Ramlila performances and Dussehra (usually October); Diwali — festival of lights (October or November) |
| November | Diwali (some years, early November) |
| December | Christmas and New Year celebrations |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in May–July, and the sights are quietest in May–June. Many visitors avoid May–June.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Cool season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Hot season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Monsoon | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Post-monsoon | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Delhi?
The best months to visit Delhi are February, March and October, when days are warm and dry and nights are mild. November to January are cooler and busy with visitors, but fog and air pollution can be severe, so check air-quality forecasts. May and June are extremely hot, and July to September bring monsoon humidity and downpours.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Delhi?
Usually in May–July. Extremely hot and dry, with dust storms and highs that can exceed 45 °C; sightseeing is hard work.
+What is the rainiest month in Delhi?
August, with about 13 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Delhi get?
The warmest month, May, averages highs of 40°C (104°F) and lows of 25°C (77°F).