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Taj Mahal viewed through green foliage

India travel guide

From Jaipur and Varanasi to coastal Kochi, best visited from November to January

Best: Jan, Nov, Dec

Photo: Ma_Frank / Pixabay

Capital
New Delhi
Languages
English, Hindi, Tamil
Currency
Indian rupee
Time zone
UTC+05:30
Plugs
Type C, D · 230 V
Driving
On the left
Emergency
112

Why visit India

India suits travellers who want a long, varied trip built around cities. You can combine Jaipur, Agra, Jodhpur and Varanasi inland with coastal Mumbai and Kochi, or head north to Srinagar. The best months to go are November, December and January. One honest limitation is the country's size. It covers 3,287,590 km², so you cannot see it all in one trip. Pick 1 or 2 regions, and allow time for long journeys between them.

  • A clear best-travel window

    November, December and January are the best months to visit. If your dates are flexible, aim for this window. Outside it, check conditions for each region before you book, because travelling at the wrong time can be much harder.

  • Two coastal cities, different styles

    Mumbai and Kochi are both on the coast. Mumbai is the largest city on our list and a major urban hub. Kochi is much smaller, so it suits travellers who want a slower coastal base.

  • Classic inland city circuit

    Jaipur, Agra, Jodhpur and Varanasi are all inland and far smaller than Mumbai or Bengaluru. That makes them easier to explore on foot or by short local trips. Many independent travellers link several of them in one journey.

  • English helps you get around

    English is used alongside Hindi and Tamil, which makes signs, bookings and everyday questions easier for many visitors. Expect regional languages to change as you travel, so a few local words still help.

  • Simple practical basics

    The whole country runs on one time zone, so planning connections is easy. Traffic drives on the left. The emergency number is 112. Pack an adapter for type C or D plugs at 230 V.

Is India right for you?

Great for

  • Winter-sun seekers from November to January, with highs of 28–29.5°C and only 1–2 rain days
  • Multi-city trips that link Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi and Jodhpur
  • Slow, long trips: the country covers 3287590 km², so there is plenty to see
  • English speakers, as English is one of the main languages alongside Hindi and Tamil

Less ideal for

  • Anyone who dislikes heat: April and May highs reach 38.3–39.7°C
  • Monsoon-season trips: July averages 315 mm of rain over 24.2 days
  • Travellers who dislike crowds: about 1429404000 people, and Mumbai alone has 15414288

India right now: October

6.3/10
Avg high
30°C
Avg low
21°C
Rain days
8

Averages for India.

Weather by month

The chart shows 2015–2024 averages for India as a whole, not for one city, and November to January is best: highs of 28–29.5°C, 1–2 rain days and about 10 hours of sun a day. Avoid March to July, when highs reach 39.7°C in May and July brings 315 mm of rain over 24 days.

Average highs and lows in India by month January: high 28°C, low 16°C , 1 rain days . February: high 31°C, low 18°C , 1 rain days . March: high 35°C, low 22°C , 2 rain days . April: high 38°C, low 25°C , 3 rain days . May: high 40°C, low 28°C , 2 rain days . June: high 34°C, low 25°C , 17 rain days . July: high 29°C, low 23°C , 24 rain days . August: high 28°C, low 23°C , 21 rain days . September: high 29°C, low 23°C , 18 rain days . October: high 30°C, low 21°C , 8 rain days . November: high 30°C, low 18°C , 2 rain days . December: high 28°C, low 16°C , 1 rain days . 28°C 16°C JAN 1d 31°C 18°C FEB 1d 35°C 22°C MAR 2d 38°C 25°C APR 3d 40°C 28°C MAY 2d 34°C 25°C JUN 17d 29°C 23°C JUL 24d 28°C 23°C AUG 21d 29°C 23°C SEP 18d 30°C 21°C OCT 8d 30°C 18°C NOV 2d 28°C 16°C DEC 1d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

India (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit India: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Jodhpur, Jaipur and Agra by land

  1. Day 1–2

    Jodhpur

    Start in Jodhpur, the smallest city on this route. Spend your first days walking the old town and markets at a slow pace while you adjust to the heat and the crowds.

  2. Day 3–5

    Jaipur

    Jaipur is the largest stop on this trip, so give it three days. Split your time between the old city, local food and a rest day away from the busiest streets.

  3. Day 6–7

    Agra

    End in Agra. Two days give you time to see the main sights early in the morning, before the biggest crowds, and then plan your onward journey.

10 days

Mumbai, Bengaluru and the Kochi coast

  1. Day 1–3

    Mumbai

    Mumbai is the largest city on this route and sits on the coast. Use three days to explore a few neighbourhoods, try street food and walk along the sea front.

  2. Day 4–6

    Bengaluru

    Head inland to Bengaluru, a large city away from the sea. Spend your time in parks, cafés and markets, and use it as a calmer break between the two coastal stops.

  3. Day 7–10

    Kochi

    Finish on the coast in Kochi, the smallest city on this trip. Four slow days let you explore the old port area, eat local seafood and rest before you fly home.

Food to try in India

Masala chai

Black tea boiled with milk, sugar and spices such as ginger and cardamom. Street stalls and train stations sell it in small cups all day, across the country.

Dosa

A thin, crisp pancake made from fermented rice and lentil batter, often filled with spiced potato. It is a common breakfast in South India, served with chutney and sambar.

Biryani

Rice cooked in layers with spices and meat or vegetables. Many cities have their own style, and Hyderabad's version is especially well known. People eat it at lunch, dinner and celebrations.

Thali

A large plate with small portions of several dishes, usually rice or bread, dal, vegetables and pickle. Local restaurants often serve it at lunch, and the dishes change from region to region.

Chole bhature

Spicy chickpea curry eaten with large, puffed fried bread. It is a popular filling breakfast or brunch in Delhi and Punjab, and it is quite heavy.

Lassi

A thick yoghurt drink served sweet, salty or with fruit such as mango. It is especially popular in Punjab and in hot weather. It comes from dairy, so choose busy, clean shops.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: India uses plug types C and D. The supply is 230 V. Bring a travel adapter. Check that your chargers and devices accept 230 V before you plug them in.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the left in India. If you come from a right-hand driving country, take extra care when crossing roads and when you first get behind the wheel.
  • Emergency number: Call 112 for emergencies in India. Save it in your phone before you arrive. The country calling code is +91 if someone abroad needs to reach an Indian number.
  • Currency: The currency is the Indian rupee. Carry some cash for small shops, markets and local transport, where cards may not be accepted.
  • Language: English and Hindi are widely used, and Tamil is also an official language. India has many more regional languages, so signs and menus can change from state to state.
  • Time zone: India uses one time zone for the whole country: UTC+05:30. Note the half-hour offset when you plan calls home or check flight connections.
  • Tap water: Do not drink tap water. Use bottled or filtered water, and use it to brush your teeth too. Take care with ice and raw food washed in tap water.

India: frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit India?

December and January are the best months, closely followed by November. December and January both score 8.8 out of 10. Highs are around 28°C, lows are 15.7–16.3°C, there is only about 1 rain day a month, and you get around 10 hours of sun a day. November scores 7.8 with 2.2 rain days. These figures are national averages for 2015–2024, and India is a very large country.

Is India good to visit in August?

August is only an OK month, with a score of 4.7 out of 10. It is monsoon season. There are 20.7 rain days on average and 224 mm of rain, with 7.4 hours of sun a day. Temperatures are milder than in spring, with a high of 28.3°C. If you can, wait until November, which has just 2.2 rain days.

Is May too hot to visit India?

Yes. For most travellers, May is too hot, and it is rated a month to avoid, with a score of 3. The average high is 39.7°C and nights stay warm at 27.6°C. April is almost as bad, with a high of 38.3°C. March is already 34.8°C. The months from March to May are dry and sunny, but the heat makes sightseeing hard.

When is monsoon season in India?

The monsoon runs from June to September. Rain days jump from 2.3 in May to 16.6 in June, then peak at 24.2 in July, with 315 mm of rain. June is the worst month overall, with a score of just 1.4, because it combines heat and the start of the rains. October is drier, with 8.4 rain days, and scores 6.3.

What plugs and voltage does India use?

India uses plug types C and D, and the voltage is 230 V. Bring a suitable adapter. If your devices do not support 230 V, you will also need a converter. Other useful basics: the emergency number is 112, and traffic drives on the left.

What currency and time zone does India use?

India uses the Indian rupee and has a single time zone, UTC+05:30, across the whole country. The international calling code is +91. English and Hindi are widely used official languages, and Tamil is also an official language.

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