Best time to visit India

The best months for a trip to the land of colours… The best time to travel to India is from October to March.

However, this very general recommendation varies from region to region. The size of the country and the different climatic zones associated with it mean that there are differences in the optimal travel times.

India is a country full of contrasts that exerts an incredible fascination on many travellers. Whoever thinks of India immediately thinks of pulsating metropolises, cows on the streets, Bollywood and spicy curries. The country is super diverse and there is so much to discover. That’s why the largest country in South Asia is one of the most coveted trend travel destinations for countless globetrotters.

Since the country is really huge, a large number of travelers design their India vacation as a round trip. From south to north or vice versa: India is and remains one of the best travel destinations in Asia. However, before you head off to the land of colors and spices, you should take a look at the best time to travel to India. This is how you ensure that your well-deserved holiday will be a complete success.

Weather and climate in India

The climate in India varies greatly depending on the region. Some regions have a tropical climate, while other regions have a temperate climate. While the south of India is tropically hot all year round, the north of the country experiences severe temperature fluctuations throughout the year.

There are basically three seasons in India: summer, winter and rainy season. Monsoons are an important part of the weather and climate in India. The rainy season in India falls between June and October. Summer in India runs from March to May, and winter lasts from November to February.

The climate of northern India

Okay, so you have decided to go on a holiday to India and want to discover the north of the country first. Then you should know that the climate in the north of India is in the subtropical climate zone. This climatic zone extends into the center of India and is characterized by enormous temperature fluctuations over the course of the year. While it can get down to 6°C cold at night in winter, the thermometer climbs to a hot 40°C in summer.

Popular holiday destinations in North India include the Indian capital New Delhi, Punjab and Agra. Exciting desert cities, Tibetan monasteries, spiritual sites and of course India’s landmark: the Taj Mahal, are waiting to be explored by you in the north of the country. The best travel time for the north of India includes the months of October to March with few rainy days and pleasantly warm temperatures.

The climate of southern India

In this article about the best travel time for India, the exotic south of the country should not be missing. The climate in southern India is considered tropical. That means something like crazy hot summers and also warm but rainy winters. In the warmest months there is an average temperature of 37°C, in the coldest month it is still an impressive 26°C.

With most rain and humidity from August to November, the best time to visit South India is December to February. At this time, the temperatures are pleasantly warm and there is hardly any rain. In the south of India you will find wonderful vacation spots such as the green state of Kerala on the tropical Malabar coast with its fascinating backwaters.

The climate of the west coast of India

Did you know that you can have wonderful beach holidays in India? The entire west coast of the country impresses with beautiful stretches of coast, where one beach is more beautiful than the next. Of course, the weather also has to be right for a sunny beach holiday. The climate on the west coast of India is also in the tropical zone. Hot summers and unusually warm winters are on the weather schedule.

The best time to travel to India’s west coast is from October to March. These months are characterized by only a few rain showers and welcome temperatures of around 30°C. In the west of India lies the former hippie town of Goa with its pretty beaches. Many yoga lovers gather on these beaches to balance body, mind and spirit. But also the mega metropolis of Mumbai, the center of the Bollywood film industry, is located in western India.

The climate in the Himalayan region of India

In the far north of the country lies the Himalayan region of India. This region is in the temperate to alpine climate zone and is heavily influenced by the Indian southwest monsoon. Located in northwestern India, the Himalayan region is plagued by long, cold winters. Heavy snowfall is also not uncommon here, so you can even go on a skiing holiday in India. Gulmarg, the highest ski area in the world, is located there. Crazy, right?

The best time to travel to the Himalayan region of India depends on what you are going there for. The winter months are of course predestined for skiing. If you would rather swap your skis for hiking boots, you should arrive from July to October. A trekking tour through the Himalayan region is super popular with experienced hikers. By the way, it hardly ever rains in this part of India, so you can safely leave your umbrella at home.

The monsoon season in India

The best travel time for India depends heavily on the monsoon season. The south-west monsoon in summer and the north-east monsoon in winter bring heavy rain showers. These can lead to severe flooding in coastal towns. Northeast India and the west coast in particular suffer from the monsoons.

The monsoon season in India affects the country enormously. From June, the summer monsoon moves across the country before it is replaced by the winter monsoon in October. This only ends in June. Monsoons reign throughout the year in India. However, since the monsoons only affect certain regions of India, you can plan your vacation quite well around the strong winds.

When is the best time to travel to India? As you can see, it is not easy to give a general answer to this question. Basically, however, you are best off with a trip between October and March. If you are still looking for cheap trips to India, feel free to browse my search engine.