How we know: Sources are listed at the end. Weather figures are official climate normals; visa rules come from the Indian government's e-Visa site; route facts from the cited aviation reference. Wildly does not publish fare averages in prose; live prices are on the linked route pages.
India's calendar is set by the monsoon. The southwest monsoon runs June to September and brings rain to most of the country (Wikivoyage), the summer before it (March–May) is brutally hot on the plains, and the long dry season from October to February is when the north, Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle are at their best. That October–March window is also peak tourist season, so the real decision is between ideal weather with company and cheaper, quieter travel in the heat or the rain.
Delhi weather by month
Official 1991–2020 climate normals for New Delhi (Safdarjung), from the India Meteorological Department. Mumbai and the south are more humid year-round with a smaller temperature range and far heavier monsoon rain.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | |---|---|---|---| | January | 68°F (20°C) | 46°F (8°C) | 0.8 in | | February | 76°F (24°C) | 51°F (11°C) | 0.8 in | | March | 86°F (30°C) | 60°F (16°C) | 0.7 in | | April | 98°F (37°C) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.6 in | | May | 104°F (40°C) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.2 in | | June | 102°F (39°C) | 82°F (28°C) | 2.9 in | | July | 96°F (36°C) | 82°F (28°C) | 8.3 in | | August | 94°F (34°C) | 80°F (27°C) | 9.2 in | | September | 93°F (34°C) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 in | | October | 91°F (33°C) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.6 in | | November | 83°F (28°C) | 55°F (13°C) | 0.2 in | | December | 73°F (23°C) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.3 in |
Read the table in three blocks: cool and dry from November to February, extreme heat from April to June, and monsoon rain from July to September. October is the pivot, still hot but dry.
Season by season
October–February (dry season, peak). Comfortable days across the north, cool nights in December and January, and clear skies in Rajasthan. Diwali (October or November, date varies) is the biggest domestic travel period, and the Christmas–New Year fortnight is when overseas Indians fly home in large numbers, so both crowds and demand peak. Winter air quality in Delhi is poor, especially November to January, which is worth knowing if you are sensitive to it.
March–May (summer). Highs on the plains climb through the 80s and 90s into the 100s by May. Holi falls in March. This is when the hill stations (Shimla, Manali, Darjeeling, Munnar) and the Himalaya come into their own, and when the Golden Triangle is at its quietest and cheapest on the ground.
June–September (monsoon). Rain reaches Kerala in early June and covers most of the country by July. The west coast (Mumbai, Goa, Kerala) is wettest; Ladakh sits in the rain shadow and is in its short summer season; Rajasthan gets comparatively little. Green landscapes, empty monuments, and disrupted transport are the trade.
Getting there from the US
Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM) are the main gateways, with Bengaluru (BLR) also served nonstop. Simple Flying's August 2024 route roundup lists nonstops from New York JFK to Delhi (American and Air India) and Mumbai (Air India); from Newark to Delhi (Air India and United) and Mumbai (Air India); from San Francisco to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru (Air India); from Chicago and Washington Dulles to Delhi (Air India). Schedules change, so check the current timetable. One-stop itineraries through the Gulf (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad) or Europe are often competitive and open up Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Goa.
Nonstop flight times are long: roughly 14 hours eastbound from New York and 16 or more from San Francisco.
For current prices see JFK to Delhi, Newark to Mumbai, San Francisco to Delhi and Chicago to Delhi, or compare every origin on the flights to Delhi and flights to Mumbai hubs.
When fares tend to be lowest
US–India demand is driven as much by the diaspora as by tourists. The heaviest periods are the US summer school break (roughly June to early August, when families visit relatives despite the heat and rain) and mid-December to early January. The quieter windows are typically late January through March, and late August through September as the monsoon winds down and before Diwali travel starts. Those are the months to watch if price matters more than perfect weather.
Set a price alert for your route with a realistic target taken from the route page. Wildly checks prices daily on the routes you track and emails you when the fare drops.
Entry requirements for US citizens
US citizens need a visa before travel. The Indian government's e-Visa system offers a 30-day e-Tourist visa (multiple entry, non-extendable), a one-year e-Tourist visa and a five-year e-Tourist visa; the one- and five-year options are multiple entry with a cap of 180 days in India per calendar year. Apply online at least four days before arrival, hold a passport with at least six months' validity at the time of application, and enter through one of the designated airports, which include Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad (indianvisaonline.gov.in). Fees vary by visa type and nationality; the official site shows the current amount at application. Use the official site only; look-alike sites charge extra.
Where to go, by season
- October–February: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and the rest of Rajasthan; Varanasi; Goa and Kerala beaches; Mumbai.
- March–May: Himalayan foothills and hill stations; Ladakh from late May once the passes open.
- June–September: Ladakh (dry), Kerala for Ayurveda in the traditional monsoon season, Rajasthan for lighter rain and empty forts.
FAQ
What is the best month to visit India? For the north and Rajasthan, November to February. For Ladakh, June to September. For Kerala and Goa beaches, November to March.
Is monsoon season a bad time to visit? It depends where you go. Coastal Mumbai, Goa and Kerala are very wet; Rajasthan and Ladakh are relatively dry. Expect transport delays and pack for humidity.
Do US citizens need a visa for India? Yes. Apply for an e-Visa online at least four days before arrival; there is no visa on arrival for US passport holders (indianvisaonline.gov.in).
Delhi or Mumbai? Delhi for the Golden Triangle and the north; Mumbai for Goa, Kerala and the west. Both have nonstop US service, so pick by itinerary and compare the two route pages.