Best Time to Visit India by Month

The Short Answer

For most trips, the best time to visit India is from October to March, when the weather in most of the country is dry and comfortable. India is so large that the right month depends on the region you plan to visit: the north plains, the desert west, the tropical south and the high Himalaya all have different seasons.

India’s Three Main Seasons

Cool season (October to March): pleasant days and cool nights in the north, and the busiest time for tourism. Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Rajasthan are at their best, and southern India and Goa are warm and dry.
Hot season (April to June): very hot in the plains, often above 40 degrees Celsius in Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan. Mountain areas such as Ladakh, Himachal and Sikkim are more comfortable.
Monsoon (June to September): heavy rain in most regions, with floods and landslides in some places. The landscape is green, prices are lower and crowds are smaller, but travel can be disrupted.

Month by Month

January: cold mornings in the north, sometimes with thick fog that delays flights and trains. Good weather in Goa, Kerala and the south.
February: one of the best months for the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan and the south. Pleasant and mostly sunny.
March: warming up. Holi, the festival of colors, usually falls in March. Good for Kerala and the hills before the heat arrives.
April and May: hot in the plains and on the coast. Best for the Himalaya, hill stations and, from late spring, Ladakh. Avoid long days of sightseeing in Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan.
June: the monsoon starts in Kerala and moves north. Ladakh and Spiti are open and popular.
July and August: peak rain. Kerala is green and good for Ayurvedic treatments, and Ladakh has clear weather, but many mountain roads in Himachal and Uttarakhand can be blocked.
September: the rain eases. The north starts to improve, and Kerala and Ladakh are still good.
October: clear skies return, and the festival season begins. A very good month for most of India, though it can still be warm in the plains.
November: very good weather and festivals such as Diwali, which usually falls in October or November. Goa and Rajasthan start their high season. Air quality in Delhi and nearby cities can be poor from late October.
December: pleasant in the south and Goa, cold in the north. This is the busiest and most expensive period, especially around Christmas and New Year.

Best Months by Region

Delhi, Agra and Jaipur (Golden Triangle): October to March.
Rajasthan (Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer): October to March, and the Pushkar Camel Fair in November.
Kerala and South India: September to March, or June to August for the monsoon season and Ayurveda.
Goa: November to February for beaches and nightlife. The monsoon months are quiet and many shacks close.
Ladakh: roughly June to September, when roads and flights are most reliable.
Darjeeling and Sikkim: March to May and October to November.
Himachal and Uttarakhand hill stations: April to June and September to November. Winter brings snow.
Andaman Islands: November to April.
Wildlife parks (tigers): roughly November to June, with the best sightings in the hotter months when animals gather near water.

Festivals and Events

Holi (March): the festival of colors. Fun, but expect to get wet and stained, and keep valuables safe.
Diwali (October or November): the festival of lights, with lamps, sweets and fireworks. Some businesses close and travel gets busy.
Durga Puja (September or October): a major festival in Kolkata with decorated pavilions.
Eid and Ramadan: celebrated across India. Muslim areas of cities such as Delhi and Hyderabad have lively food streets in the evenings.
Republic Day (26 January): a parade in Delhi, and many monuments and roads are closed or crowded.

Things That Affect Your Travel Dates

Delhi air quality: from about late October to January, pollution can be high. Check the air quality index and consider a mask if you are sensitive.
Winter fog: in December and January, flights and trains in the north can be delayed or canceled. Allow extra time between connections.
Heat: in April to June, plan outdoor visits for early morning and late afternoon, and drink plenty of water.
Holidays: Indian school and public holidays raise prices and fill trains and hotels. Book early.

What to Pack and Prepare by Season

Winter (December to February): bring layers and a warm jacket for the north, because mornings and evenings can be cold, especially in Delhi, Rajasthan and the hills. Hotels do not always have heating.
Summer (April to June): light cotton clothes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. Plan indoor activities for the afternoon.
Monsoon (June to September): a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes and waterproof bags for your electronics. Mosquito repellent is also useful.
Mountains (all year): layers, sturdy shoes and sun protection, since the sun is strong at altitude.

Ask your doctor or a travel clinic about vaccinations and malaria advice at least six to eight weeks before you leave, particularly if you travel in the monsoon. Drink only bottled or filtered water throughout the year.

Regional Weather at a Glance

Delhi and the north plains: cool in winter, with highs of around 20 degrees Celsius and cold nights in January. Summer highs often reach 40 degrees or more in May and June.
Mumbai and the west coast: warm and humid all year, with very heavy rain from June to September.
Kerala and the south: warm all year, with rain from June and a second lighter wet period in October and November.
Rajasthan: hot and dry, with very hot summers and cool winter evenings, especially in the desert.
Ladakh and the high Himalaya: bright sun in summer, and temperatures well below freezing in winter, when many roads close.

Back to the full India travel guide. Pick where to go in our best places guide, build a plan with the India itineraries, and check visa rules before you book.

Best Time to Visit India: Month-by-Month Guide