The weather can have a huge impact on how you experience your trip to India. India has a rainy season, also known as monsoon, in which an extreme amount of rain can fall. Likewise, people who cannot tolerate extreme heat well should not travel to India in certain months, because temperatures can rise above 40 degrees. That is why it is wise to find out what the best time to travel to India is before booking a trip. In addition, an Indian visa must be applied for before departure.
India’s seasons
India has a winter season, a summer season and a monsoon season. During the winter - in the months of December to March - it is mostly dry in India and temperatures range between 20 and 30 degrees. In the summer months of April and May temperatures can be high, reaching above 40 degrees Celsius in the north of India. The rainy season in northern India takes place between June and October, while in the south most of the rain falls in June, October and November. During the rainy season, heavy and prolonged rain showers can occur and certain regions suffer from flooding. The west coast and the north-east of India are generally hit the hardest by the monsoons.
India’s climate differs per region
India's climate varies greatly from region to region. The north of the country has a subtropical climate, while the south and west coasts have a tropical climate. As a result, the north of the country has strong temperature differences throughout the year. In the capital New Delhi, the maximum temperature in December and January is around 22 degrees Celsius on average, while in the summer it can be over 40 degrees Celsius during the day. In the south and on the west coast these differences are less pronounced and temperatures are high throughout the year, between 30 and 37 degrees during the day. The climate in the Himalayan region - in the territories of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir in the far north - differs from the rest of India. A lot of snow can fall here between November and June. Temperatures here range from -14 to 25 degrees Celsius.
Climate chart North India (New Delhi)
| Month | Average min. temperature in °CAvg. min. temp. in °C | Average max. temperature in °CAvg. max. temp. in °C | Average rainfall in mmAvg. rainfall in mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 21 | 7 |
| February | 11 | 25 | 13 |
| March | 17 | 33 | 7 |
| April | 23 | 38 | 6 |
| May | 29 | 42 | 15 |
| June | 31 | 42 | 20 |
| July | 29 | 37 | 66 |
| August | 28 | 35 | 66 |
| September | 26 | 35 | 53 |
| October | 23 | 34 | 2 |
| November | 18 | 29 | 1 |
| December | 12 | 23 | 2 |
Climate chart South India (Kerala)
| Month | Average min. temperature in °CAvg. min. temp. in °C | Average max. temperature in °CAvg. max. temp. in °C | Average rainfall in mmAvg. neerslag in mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23 | 31 | 10 |
| February | 23 | 32 | 11 |
| March | 25 | 32 | 36 |
| April | 26 | 32 | 82 |
| May | 27 | 31 | 59 |
| June | 26 | 29 | 134 |
| July | 25 | 29 | 65 |
| August | 25 | 29 | 54 |
| September | 25 | 29 | 73 |
| Oktober | 25 | 30 | 130 |
| November | 25 | 30 | 120 |
| December | 24 | 30 | 33 |
Best travel period
As India has different climates, it is not possible to name a single period which is the best travel time for the whole country; it depends on the region being visited. For the north of the country, the period from October to March is the best period for a trip, as there is little rainfall and temperatures are pleasant. For the south, it is recommended to travel between December and February. For a stay on the west coast of India, for example in Mumbai or Goa, the months of October to May are perfect, because there is hardly any rain then.
Similarly, what you want to do in India also plays a role in determining the best time to travel. Although a trip during the rainy season is generally not recommended, for nature lovers it can be a good idea to visit India during the monsoon, because the landscapes are at their best. Travellers headed to India for ayurveda treatment are also advised to do so during the rainy season, as the air is humid and cooler, which makes it easier to absorb the herbal oils used. An additional advantage of travelling in the summer or rainy season is that there are fewer tourists than between November and March. For a trek in the mountains, the months July to October are most suitable.
India visa application
In order to travel to India, you need a visa that can be applied for online. India currently offers three different electronic visas, valid for one month, one year or five years. It is not recommended applying for a visa to India with a validity of one month, as this creates problems for many travellers. A visa valid for one year allows you to decide when you arrive in India once the application has been approved, as long as the one-year period of validity has not yet expired. In that case, it is possible to travel without any problems if the weather conditions are better in another month.
The tourist visa for India can be used for multiple trips, as long as each individual stay does not exceed 90 days. It is therefore possible to travel to India again with the same visa to visit a different region or to experience the same region during a different season.
Please note: this news article about the visa for India is more than one year old. It might contain outdated information and advice, and no rights can therefore be derived from this article. Are you going on a trip soon and do you wish to do know what rules currently apply? Read all about the up-to-date information about the visa for India.