Delhi
Delhi is the capital of India and the usual starting point for a first trip to the north, with Mughal forts and tombs, the bazaars of Chandni Chowk and a metro that links the main sights.
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Delhi is India's capital, in the north of the country on the Yamuna River. It has two sides that sit close together. New Delhi is the planned government district the British built in the early 20th century, with wide avenues and colonial-era buildings. Old Delhi, laid out in the 1600s by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, is a dense network of lanes, bazaars and older mosques, and its main market, Chandni Chowk, is the place to eat and shop on foot.
Delhi suits a first trip to India or a city break of three to four days. The highlights are the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Humayun's Tomb, plus street food in Chandni Chowk. Many travelers add Agra, where the Taj Mahal is, or Jaipur, by train. October to March is the best time, when days are cool enough for walking. December and January bring smog and fog, and May and June are very hot.
Delhi in five
- Take the Airport Express from the airportThe metro's Airport Express line runs from Terminal 3 to New Delhi station in about 20 minutes, avoiding road traffic.
- Apply for the e-Visa before you flyMost visitors need an e-Visa, applied for online in advance.India e-Visa
- Check monument closing daysThe Red Fort is closed on Mondays. Buy monument tickets online to skip the cash queue.
- Plan around winter smogAir quality is often very poor from November to January. Check the daily index if you have breathing problems.
- Use the metro's women-only coachThe first coach of each train is reserved for women and is marked on the platform.
Things to do in Delhi
See all attractions in Delhi
Need to know
- Airport
- Indira Gandhi International (DEL), 20 min by Airport Express
- Getting there
- Trains from across India; fast trains to Agra in under 2 hours
- Getting around
- Metro, app cabs and auto-rickshaws
- Best base
- Connaught Place for the metro, South Delhi for quiet
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Cool, foggyJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, foggy
- FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh25°Low13°PleasantFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Pleasant
- MarchClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low18°WarmMarchClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- AprilClear2 rainy daysHigh38°Low24°HotAprilClear
Poor
- High
- 38°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh40°Low28°Very hotMayClear
Poor
- High
- 40°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JuneClear9 rainy daysHigh40°Low30°Very hotJuneClear
Poor
- High
- 40°
- Low
- 30°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JulyRain23 rainy daysHigh35°Low28°MonsoonJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 265 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon
- AugustRain20 rainy daysHigh34°Low28°MonsoonAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 187 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh34°Low26°HumidSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 136 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Humid
- OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low22°Warm, dryOctoberClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- NovemberClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low17°Smog riskNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Smog risk
- DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh23°Low12°CoolDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
Average daily high and low in Delhi, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jul International Mango Festival
Right now in Delhi
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Delhi
04:08 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°17°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 29°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed29°17°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 29°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu29°18°0%Thursday: Clear. High 29°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri30°18°0%Friday: Clear. High 30°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat29°18°0%Saturday: Clear. High 29°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun29°17°0%Sunday: Clear. High 29°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Mon28°16°0%Monday: Clear. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 02:00 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- JulInternational Mango FestivalDelhi
Before you go to Delhi
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Rules for Delhi, checked
- Most foreign visitors need an Indian visa; check eligibility and apply for an e-Visa on the official portal before you fly.Source
- Delhi Metro stations screen bags and people at every entrance, so keep your ticket or card ready.Source
- Cover your head at gurdwaras, remove your shoes at temples and gurdwaras, and dress modestly at mosques.
- Some monuments charge an extra fee for a camera or video; check the ticket desk sign before you take photos inside.
Plan around Delhi
Regions, trains, e-Visa and money
Read the guideAgraThe Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri
Read the guideJaipurPink City and Amber Fort, the usual next stop
Read the guideRishikeshGanga town in the foothills, via Haridwar
Read the guideIndia e-Visa guideWhich visa to pick, what it costs, how to apply
Read the guideGetting around IndiaTrains, flights and cabs between cities
Read the guideDelhi FAQ
Where should I stay in Delhi for a first trip?
Connaught Place or near it. You are on two metro lines, close to New Delhi station and a short ride from Old Delhi.
How do I get from Delhi airport to the city?
The Airport Express metro from Terminal 3 reaches New Delhi station in about 20 minutes. Prepaid taxis and app cabs are the alternative.
Can I visit Agra as a day trip from Delhi?
Yes. Fast trains take under 2 hours each way. Avoid Fridays, when the Taj Mahal is closed.
When is the best time to visit Delhi?
February, March, November and December. April to June is extremely hot, the monsoon runs July to September, and winter smog peaks from November to January.
How many days do you need in Delhi?
Two to three days cover Old Delhi, Humayun's Tomb, a museum or two and the markets. Add a day if you want Agra as a day trip, since it is a long but doable run by fast train.