India is huge, so there is no single best time to visit. When it is perfect in Rajasthan, Ladakh is frozen, and when the Himalaya opens up, Goa is in the monsoon. Choose a destination and a month to see whether it is a good time to go, which months are best, and which festivals you could plan around.
Best Time to Visit Checker
India’s three main seasons
- Winter (October to March): the main tourist season for most of the country, including Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Goa and Kerala. Days are pleasant and dry. Northern plains can be foggy in late December and January.
- Summer (April to June): very hot on the plains, often over 40°C. This is the best time for hill stations such as Manali, Shimla, Darjeeling and Ooty, and when the high Himalaya starts to open.
- Monsoon (July to September): heavy rain across most of India. It is the best season for Ladakh and Spiti, which sit in a rain shadow, and a beautiful green time for Kerala and Meghalaya if you don’t mind the rain.
Quick guide by region
- North India and Rajasthan: October to March.
- Himalaya (Ladakh, Spiti): June to September.
- Hill stations: March to June and October.
- Goa and the beaches: November to February.
- Kerala: September to March.
- North-east India: October to April.
- Andaman Islands: November to April.
Plan around festivals
Festivals such as Diwali, Holi and Durga Puja are unforgettable, but hotels fill up and prices rise. Many festival dates follow the lunar calendar and move every year, so check the exact dates before you book.