People pack for Delhi's heat and forget the rest. The city swings from 39°C (102°F) in May to monsoon downpours in July to smoggy, chilly winter mornings, and the crowds in Old Delhi punish a loose pocket in any season. Pack for the month you're actually going, not for India in general.
Delhi weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 19°C66°F | 25°C77°F | 30°C86°F | 37°C99°F | 39°C102°F | 38°C100°F | 34°C93°F | 33°C91°F | 33°C91°F | 32°C90°F | 27°C81°F | 22°C72°F |
| Low | 7°C45°F | 12°C54°F | 16°C61°F | 22°C72°F | 25°C77°F | 28°C82°F | 26°C79°F | 26°C79°F | 25°C77°F | 20°C68°F | 15°C59°F | 10°C50°F |
| Rain days | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 22 | 19 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Season by season
Cool season
December–FebruaryThe best time for sightseeing. Highs run 19°C (66°F) to 25°C (77°F), but January nights drop to 7°C (45°F) and many hotels and homes have little heating, so bring a warm sweater and a light jacket. Winter also brings fog and smog, which can delay flights and trains.
Hot season
March–JuneBrutal by April. May averages 39°C (102°F) and June 38°C (100°F), with lows of 25°C (77°F) to 28°C (82°F). See Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar at opening time, rest indoors at midday and keep water on you all day. June's 12 rain days usually mean the monsoon is arriving late in the month.
Monsoon
July–SeptemberJuly brings 22 rain days and August 19, with highs still at 33°C (91°F) to 34°C (93°F), so it's hot, sticky and wet at once. Streets flood fast in heavy rain. Pack quick-dry clothes, a waterproof day bag and mosquito repellent, and expect September to ease off to 13 rain days.
Autumn
October–NovemberThe second sweet spot. October still hits 32°C (90°F) with just 2 rain days, and November cools to 27°C (81°F) with 1. The catch is air quality, which often turns bad from late October, so check the daily reading and pack a mask if you're sensitive to smoke.
What to bring to Delhi
0 of 24 packed- Pacsafe Coversafe X75 Neck PouchDocuments & Security
Old Delhi and the Metro at rush hour are packed shoulder to shoulder, so keep your passport and a spare card under your shirt in this pouch.
- Bearwind S40 Portable Handheld Turbo FanTech & Power
May averages 39°C (102°F) and queues at the big monuments often stand in full sun, so a fan in your hand earns its spot.
- Hydro Flask 24 oz Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Straw CapWater Bottles & Hydration
Fill it with filtered water at the hotel and it stays cold for 24 hours, which beats buying plastic bottles all day in 39°C (102°F) heat.
- Sawyer 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion, 4 ozHealth & Safety
Monsoon season brings the mosquitoes, and this 20% picaridin lotion is rated for up to 12 hours, so one coat can cover most of a day out.
- Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 20LBags & Luggage
July has 22 rain days and the downpours come hard, so a day bag with sealed zippers keeps your phone and passport dry between the Metro and the monument.
- Mack's Blackout Soft Foam Earplugs, 7-pairSleep & Comfort
Delhi's traffic horns don't stop at night, and a bulk pack of foam earplugs is the cheap fix for a hotel room facing the street.
Its EU plug fits India's type C sockets but not the bigger D and M ones, so bring it for phones and laptops and ask your hotel what's in the room.
Clothing
- Loose cotton or linen shirts · 4May reaches 39°C
- Lightweight long trousers or skirts · 2Cover knees at temples and mosques
- Scarf or shawl · 1Covers shoulders, and hair where asked
- Warm sweater or light jacket · 1Chilly winter mornings, Dec–Feb
- Light rain jacket · 1July averages 22 rain days
Footwear
- Slip-on shoes or sandals · 1 pairRemove shoes at temples and mosques
- Closed walking shoes · 1 pairCrowded, uneven streets in Old Delhi
Gear
- Compact umbrellaMonsoon, Jul–Sep
- Sun hat and sunglasses
Health and toiletries
- Well-fitting face masksAir quality often poor late October into winter
- Sunscreen · 1
- Hand sanitizer and tissues
- Stomach and rehydration medicine
Documents and money
- Passport and India visa
- Travel insurance
- Some cash in rupees
Tech
- Phone with offline maps
What shoes should you pack for Delhi?
Slip-ons win. You'll take your shoes off at Jama Masjid, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and every temple, so laces get old fast. Pick something closed-toe with a decent sole for Chandni Chowk, where the lanes are packed and the ground is rarely clean.
What do people wear in Delhi?
Delhi is more conservative than Goa or Mumbai. Loose trousers or long skirts and tops that cover the shoulders get you into every site without a second thought, and they're cooler in the heat anyway. Gurdwaras ask everyone to cover their head, and women will want a scarf for mosques too.
What plugs does Delhi use?
India uses type C, D and M plugs at 230V. The slim two-pin C plug fits many sockets, but older buildings often have only the round three-pin D or M, so a standard universal adapter won't cover every room. Check that your chargers say 100-240V before you plug in.
Tours and things to do in Delhi
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Delhi.
What should you leave at home for Delhi?
Leave the shorts and tank tops for a beach trip. They draw stares in Old Delhi and can keep you out of religious sites. Skip white trousers in monsoon season, because the mud wins, and don't carry a wallet in your back pocket on the Metro.
Around Delhi
Packing for Delhi: questions people ask
What should I wear in Delhi in winter?
Layers. Days reach 19°C (66°F) to 25°C (77°F), but January nights fall to 7°C (45°F) and indoor heating is rare, so bring a warm sweater and a jacket.
What is the best month to visit Delhi?
October through March is the easiest stretch. October has 2 rain days and November and December just 1 each, though smog can be heavy in those months.
How hot is Delhi in May?
Very. May averages a 39°C (102°F) high with lows around 25°C (77°F), so plan sightseeing for early morning and evening.
Do I need a plug adapter for Delhi?
Usually, yes. India uses type C, D and M sockets at 230V, and many rooms only have the larger three-pin D or M.
What should women wear in Delhi?
Loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees, plus a scarf for mosques and gurdwaras. Cotton kurtas and trousers are common, comfortable and easy to buy once you arrive.
Prices change often — the price on the retailer’s page is the one you pay.