Visiting India

Sunrise at the Taj Mahal

There is both a best time of year and a best time of day to visit the Taj Mahal.

The former ensures the best weather for your visit, while the latter ensures the best photo conditions for your pictures of the Taj Mahal.

Best Time of Year to Visit the Taj Mahal

As for India in general, the best time of year to visit the Taj Mahal is from October to March. The weather at this time of year will be mild, and even a bit cool in December and January.

October to November and February to March will be warm to slightly hot, but nothing like the scorching heat of the summer or the torrential rains of the monsoon season.

Best Time of Day to Visit the Taj Mahal

The best time of day to visit the Taj Mahal is the early morning. Depending on the time of year, the Taj Mahal opens to visitors at different hours, but it always opens at sunrise.

Get there early to buy a ticket and wait in line so that you can be sure to get a picture of the Taj Mahal in the best morning light.

Taj Mahal

The weather in India varies by region and latitude, but in general the country has mild winters and hot summers.

The weather in India is coolest in December and January, when temperatures in the north hover around 10 C (50 F) and in the south average 20 C (68 F).

From October to November and again from February to March, the weather in India is warm to slightly hot.

Temperatures hover around 15 C (59 F) in the north and 25 C (77 F) in the south during this time.

These two periods, along with December and January, are generally considered the best time to visit India.

Summer weather in India is very hot, as temperatures soar well into the 40′s C (over 100 F) from April through June.

Monsoon season in India lasts from June or July through September.

During monsoon season, there is very wet, rainy weather in India.

Taj Mahal

The best time of year to visit India is from October to March. The weather is generally warm in October and November and again in February and March, and can even be a bit cool in the north in December and January.

In addition to the weather, the October-March season in India coincides with many Indian festivals and holidays. These include Dussehra, Durga Puja, Diwali, Republic Day of India, Lohri, the Pushkar camel fair, the elephant festival in Jaipur, and Holi.

If you travel to India during any of these or other holidays and festivals, make sure to book well in advance, as accommodation and transportation get booked up quickly.

Avoid India during the summer, as temperatures soar well into the 40′s C (over 100 F) and many tourist areas and attractions in India are closed. If you must visit India in the summer, stick to the Himalayas, where temperatures will be cooler than in the rest of the country.

Another time of year to avoid is monsoon season in India, when torrential rains pour down throughout the country. The monsoon season generally lasts from June or July through September, but varies slightly each year.