Month guide · Delhi · India
Delhi in January
What January is really like in Delhi: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Amaninder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 10.5 hours of daylight. Cool days, cold nights and frequent morning fog that can delay flights and trains; air pollution is often high.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Delhi: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 of its 31 days. Compared with December (23°C (73°F)), January is cooler; by February highs climb to around 24°C (75°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:15
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:46
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
Post-monsoon (October–November). Dry, warm days and festivals including Dussehra and Diwali; air pollution often rises sharply in November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path (26 January)
- Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk (29 January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Religious site · Old Delhi
Jama Masjid
Enter by Gate 1 or 3, dress modestly (robes are lent at the gate), and avoid prayer times, especially Friday midday.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Views
Park · Lutyens' Delhi
Lodhi Garden
Delhi's favourite park covers about 90 acres and contains 15th- and 16th-century tombs of the Sayyid and Lodi rulers, including the octagonal tomb of Mohammed Shah and Sikandar Lodi's walled tomb.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- History
- Kids
Historic site · Hauz Khas Village
Hauz Khas Complex
Visit at sunset when the domes glow and the lake is calm, then stay for dinner in the village.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Couples
- Outdoors
Historic site · Mehrauli
Mehrauli Archaeological Park
Next to Qutb Minar, this park holds dozens of monuments from the sultanate to the British era, including the tomb of Balban and the Jamali Kamali mosque and tomb with its painted ceiling.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- History
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 20°C, lows near 8°C and 2 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Delhi?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, February–March and October are better overall. Compare every month.
Delhi in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Delhi?
It is a shoulder-season month. Cool days, cold nights and frequent morning fog that can delay flights and trains; air pollution is often high.
+How warm is Delhi in January?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Delhi in January?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.