Best Time to Visit Delhi

Weather, crowds and cost for Delhi, broken down by season so you can pick the right month rather than the cheapest flight.

Short answer

The best time to visit Delhi is October to March. The plains cool down, the monuments are pleasant to walk, and the gardens are in bloom by February.

Season by season

Winter

October and February are ideal. December and January bring cold mornings near five degrees, dense fog that delays flights and trains, and the worst air quality of the year in November and December.

Summer

April to June runs from thirty-eight to forty-five degrees, with dry heat and dust storms. Museums and the metro are the survivable daytime options.

Monsoon

July to September brings humidity and waterlogging that snarls traffic, but also the greenest the city gets and heavily discounted hotels.

Month-by-month notes

• October - post-monsoon, clear and comfortable, before the air deteriorates.
• November - Diwali week brings poor air quality; asthmatics should plan around it.
• February - mild days, blooming gardens, the best month for long walks.
• May - peak heat; keep sightseeing before ten in the morning.

Festival and crowd calendar

Republic Day in late January closes central roads for rehearsals and the parade. Diwali week empties offices and fills trains out of the city.

What to pack

A proper jacket for December and January mornings, an N95 mask during high-pollution weeks, and sun cover in summer.

Common questions