India is a huge country with several climates, so there is no single best month for the whole of it. The right time depends on which region you are heading to, and whether you are going for family, a festival, a wedding or a holiday.
A rough guide by region
| Region | Usually most comfortable | Usually hotter or wetter |
|---|---|---|
| North: Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan | October to March | April to June is hot; July to September is monsoon |
| West: Mumbai, Gujarat, Goa | November to February | June to September has heavy monsoon rain |
| Chennai and Tamil Nadu | January to March | October to December brings the north-east monsoon |
| Bengaluru and Hyderabad | October to February | Hot in April to June; Bengaluru is wetter June to September |
| Kerala, including Kochi | December to March | June to September is the main monsoon |
| Hills and mountains | Depends on altitude | Many hill stations suit April to June and September to November |
These are general patterns, and weather varies from year to year. Treat them as a guide, not a guarantee.
How it lines up with New Zealand holidays
- Christmas and the New Zealand summer holidays fall in the cooler, drier season across much of India, which makes them popular, and fares usually rise.
- Easter and the April school holidays are when heat starts building in the north and west, so plan sightseeing for the mornings.
- The July school holidays fall in the monsoon in much of the country, so heavy rain can disrupt local travel even where flights run normally.
Festivals and weddings
Diwali falls in October or November, Navratri in September or October, Holi in March, Pongal in January and Vaisakhi in mid-April, and the winter wedding season runs from about November to February. Dates move with the lunar calendar, and flights fill early around them. Our guide to Diwali flights from New Zealand shows how to plan.
Booking flights
Tell us your dates and how flexible you are, and we’ll compare airlines and stopovers. See Auckland to Delhi, Auckland to Mumbai or all flights to India, and check India visa online before you pay for a ticket that cannot be changed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit India?
It depends on the region. October to March suits much of the north, west and south, while the monsoon, roughly June to September, brings heavy rain to many areas.
Is December a good time to visit India?
For much of the country, yes: it is cool and dry. It is also busy, so flights and weddings fill early and fares usually rise.
Is India too hot in April?
Heat builds across the north and west from April, so many travellers go earlier in the year or plan outdoor sightseeing for the mornings.
