Month guide · Delhi · India
Delhi in May
What May is really like in Delhi: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
May is a month many travellers avoid. Expect average highs of 40°C (104°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 3 rainy days and roughly 13.6 hours of daylight. Extremely hot and dry, with dust storms and highs that can exceed 45 °C; sightseeing is hard work.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 40°C (104°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 3
- Daylight
- About 13.6 hours
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in May
May is the warmest month in Delhi: days average 40°C (104°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 3 of its 31 days. Compared with April (36°C (97°F)), May is warmer; by June highs stay near 39°C (102°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:30
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:04
- Daylight
- About 13.6 hours
Cool season (December–February). Cool days and cold nights with frequent fog and poor air quality, especially in December and January; February turns sunny and pleasant.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 1 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Delhi, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Lutyens' Delhi
Gandhi Smriti
Follow the concrete footsteps in the garden that trace Gandhi's final walk to the prayer ground.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Pragati Maidan
National Crafts Museum
The National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum gathers folk and tribal art, textiles and architecture from across India, including a village complex of reconstructed rural houses.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Castle · Old Delhi
Red Fort
Buy entry tickets online to save time and money, and combine the fort with Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid on foot.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
Religious site · Old Delhi
Jama Masjid
Completed in 1656, this is one of India's largest mosques, with a courtyard that can hold some 25,000 worshippers, three marble domes and two tall minarets.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Views
What to pack
For highs near 40°C, lows near 25°C and 3 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Delhi?
A month many travellers avoid. If your dates are flexible, February–March and October are better overall. Compare every month.
Delhi in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Delhi?
It is a month many travellers avoid. Extremely hot and dry, with dust storms and highs that can exceed 45 °C; sightseeing is hard work.
+How warm is Delhi in May?
Average highs are around 40°C (104°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Delhi in May?
Expect rain on about 3 days of the month, so it is usually dry.