Plan Your Trip To Delhi

Winter (October to March) is the best and most popular time to visit Delhi, when temperatures are cooler, and an atmospheric fog hangs over winter mornings. 

Peak season runs from November to early March so book ahead if you’re planning to visit during these months. 

In recent years, Delhi has been suffering the effects of air pollution, especially each November in the wake of Divali firecrackers. It’s best to avoid Delhi in the weeks just after Divali and try to visit before Divali in October, or in January – especially if you are sensitive to air pollution. 

March – May see temperatures soar in Delhi, sometimes in excess of 40 degrees celsius. June – September see less rain than many other parts of India during the monsoon, but Delhi can be hot and sticky.

A huge sprawling mega-city, getting around Delhi can take time but fortunately has been made a lot easier by its modern and super efficient Metro system (also a great way to cool down if you’re feeling the heat). The Metro is cheap and a great way to skip the traffic. 

Auto-rickshaws (aka Tuk-Tuks) ply the city – but you’ll have to negotiate as most refuse to use their meter. 

Ride hailing services such as Uber and Ola are also a hassle free way to get around, and serve the airport. If you’re arriving at night at Delhi airport, we recommend pre-booking a transfer with your hotel. 

Delhi, along with Mumbai, is one of India’s most expensive cities, and while you can still eat and enjoy the city on a budget, good quality accommodation will cost you in Delhi – so plan accordingly. A moderate private room in a value hotel costs around 2500 rupees per night. 

If you’re looking for accommodation on a budget, backpacker hostels are a much safer alternative to seedy local hotels (see our tips on where to stay).

Restaurants range from Michelin starred fine dining to simple street food, with tasty treats to be found whatever your budget. 

As with the rest of India, tap water is not safe to drink, but UV or Reverse Osmosis filtered water is fine. We use and trust Water to Go filter bottles which we travel with – buy one here. 

Delhi is a modern city and something of a melting pot, but unfortunately some of the traditional backpacker areas are in some of the less rosy parts of the city – for more info on where to avoid and where to stay, read our guide here. 

Women travellers should avoid travelling alone around Delhi at night wherever possible and take precautions – read our tips for safe female travel in India here. 

Similar to other destinations in the north of India, Delhi has a dry, desert-like climate with cool winters and hot summers. It sees a lot less rain than many other parts of India. 

During winter months (Nov-Feb) temperatures can dip down as low as freezing at night, so pack accordingly. Day times can be warm in the sun. Summers (March – June) see searing heat of up to 45 degrees celsius.