"Janvier : haute saison, pollution maximale (AQI 350-500), brume matinale, fraîcheur."
Expert on Delhi · 1 contributions
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South-East Asia Desk — Mowando·Editor
South-East Asia Desk — Mowando·EditorThe best periods
The best time to visit Delhi is November to March (cool dry season, but extreme air pollution). The most recommended months are Mars, Avril, Mai, Octobre.
Nov, Déc, Jan, Fév, Mar
Saison sèche fraîche — la meilleure période
- ✅Climat agréable : 15-25 °C en journée, 8-15 °C la nuit, confort thermique optimal
- ✅Visites confortables des sites UNESCO et de Old Delhi
- ✅Festivals : Republic Day (26 janvier, parade militaire monumentale), Holi (mars), Diwali (octobre-novembre)
- ❌Pollution atmosphérique extrême : AQI 300-500 en novembre-février, masque FFP2 obligatoire
- ❌Brume hivernale fréquente jusqu'à 11h
- ❌Haute saison touristique, prix en hausse
Avr, Mai, Juin
Saison chaude — éprouvante
- ✅Tarifs en baisse 30-40 %
- ✅Pollution atmosphérique réduite (vents)
- ✅Foule réduite
- ❌Chaleur extrême : 38-45 °C en mai-juin, suffocant
- ❌Visites diurnes 11h-17h impossibles
- ❌Climatisation indispensable
Jui, Aoû, Sep, Oct
Mousson — humide mais respirable
- ✅Tarifs au plancher
- ✅Pollution lavée par la pluie
- ✅Jardins verdoyants
- ❌Pluies fréquentes, inondations urbaines occasionnelles
- ❌Humidité élevée (80-85 %)
- ❌Embouteillages aggravés
Month-by-month climate
Temperatures, rainfall and sunshine in Delhi across the 12 months.
| Jan | Fév | Mar | Avr | Mai | Juin | Jui | Aoû | Sep | Oct | Nov | Déc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 7° | 10° | 15° | 21° | 26° | 28° | 27° | 26° | 24° | 19° | 12° | 8° |
| Max | 21° | 24° | 30° | 36° | 41° | 41° | 35° | 33° | 33° | 33° | 28° | 22° |
| Mer | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pluie | 22mm | 18mm | 15mm | 10mm | 15mm | 75mm | 210mm | 240mm | 130mm | 18mm | 5mm | 8mm |
| Soleil/j | 7h | 8h | 9h | 10h | 10h | 8h | 6h | 5h | 7h | 9h | 8h | 7h |
Tourist crowds
Monthly attendance levels (0 = empty, 100 = saturated).
Jan
90
Fév
90
Mar
75
Avr
50
Mai
30
Jui
30
Jui
35
Aoû
40
Sep
50
Oct
70
Nov
90
Déc
95
Average flight prices
Average round-trip Paris → Delhi by month.
Jan
$1,026
Fév
$972
Mar
$810
Avr
$648
Mai
$594
Jui
$540
Jui
$594
Aoû
$648
Sep
$648
Oct
$756
Nov
$864
Déc
$1,134
Frequently asked questions
How many nights in Delhi?+
2-3 nights minimum. One night technically suffices to visit Red Fort + Jama Masjid + Qutub Minar but it's very frustrating given the cultural shock and tourist density. 2-night plan: D1 Old Delhi (Red Fort + Jama Masjid + Chandni Chowk), D2 South Delhi UNESCO (Qutub Minar + Humayun's Tomb + Lotus Temple). Ideal 3-night plan: add D3 New Delhi (India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan with 5-day advance booking for interior visit, National Museum, Connaught Place for shopping, gourmet dinner Khan Market). 4-night plan: add Agra excursion (Taj Mahal by Shatabdi Express train, evening return).
How to avoid air pollution in Delhi?+
Air pollution in Delhi in winter (November-February) reaches extremely dangerous levels — AQI frequently 300-500 (considered "hazardous" above 150). Consequences: eye and throat burning, headaches, asthma exacerbation. Precautions: mandatory FFP2 or KN95 mask for any outdoor outing, limit morning outings (pollution peak 6-10am), choose hotels with air purifiers in rooms (Imperial New Delhi, Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi, ITC Maurya offer this), avoid prolonged outdoor outings, prefer covered sites (museums, malls). SAFAR-Air or IQAir app for real-time AQI tracking. Sensitive travellers (asthmatic, children under 5, seniors): avoid Delhi between November and February, prefer March-April or October.
What are the classic Delhi scams?+
Delhi is the world capital of tourist scams. Main scams: fake "Government of India Tourist Office" at Connaught Place (actually private agency overcharging 5-10x — the real one is at Janpath 88), fake drivers at Old Delhi and New Delhi Railway Station exits ("your hotel burned/moved", "your train is cancelled, I'll take you elsewhere"), fake students "improvised guides" paid retro-commissions by shops, exchange scams, unmetered taxis with inflated fares 3-5x, fake "police officer" checking passports then asking "fine" (real uniformed police never ask for money). Workarounds: use exclusively Uber or Ola (reliable apps, transparent meter), book via your 4-5 star hotel or recognised French agency, beware of anyone approaching you at station/airport exit, refuse politely but firmly, never give your passport (only certified photocopy).
Where to stay in Delhi safely and comfortably?+
Staying in a 4-5 star hotel is strongly recommended for Delhi (recovery from cultural shock, safety, air quality with purifiers). Recommended quarters: Central Delhi — Connaught Place, Janpath, Chanakyapuri (embassy quarter, quietest): Imperial New Delhi (€250-450/night, iconic Art Deco hotel 1936), Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi (Janpath, €300-500/night), Lutyens' Bungalow Country House (€250-400/night, colonial charm). South Delhi — Greater Kailash, Defence Colony, Hauz Khas: ITC Maurya (Diplomatic Enclave, €280-500/night, classic 5-star), Aman New Delhi (Lodhi Road, €800-1,500/night, ultra-luxury), Oberoi New Delhi (€400-700/night). Airport area: Lemon Tree Premier (€200-300/night). Budget: Bloomrooms@New Delhi Railway Station (€50-100/night). AVOID Paharganj (backpacker quarter near New Delhi Railway Station — variable quality, scams).
What UNESCO sites in Delhi not to miss?+
Delhi concentrates 3 major UNESCO sites. Red Fort (Lal Qila, UNESCO 2007) — Mughal fortified palace built by Shâh Jahân between 1639 and 1648. Red sandstone, 2 km of walls, Mughal gardens, Diwan-i-Khas (private audience hall with famous Peacock Pavilion and inscription "If paradise exists on Earth, it is here"), Hall of Public Audience. Foreigners rate 600 INR. Evening sound and light show 60-100 INR. Closed Monday. 2-3h visit. Qutub Minar (UNESCO 1993) — complex south of Delhi (15 km from centre, Qutub Minar metro): 73 m minaret erected from 1192 by Qutb-ud-din Aybak (Delhi Sultanate founder), world's tallest brick minaret. Also on site: Iron Pillar 4th century (metallurgical mystery no rust for 1,600 years), Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (India's oldest, built from materials of 27 destroyed temples), Iltutmish's Tomb. Foreigners rate 600 INR. 1h30-2h. Humayun's Tomb (UNESCO 1993) — Mughal mausoleum built 1565-1572 by Emperor Humayun's widow, Taj Mahal architectural precursor. Magnificently restored by Aga Khan Trust. Foreigners rate 600 INR. 1h30-2h.
Our verdict
Delhi is essential as entry point for the classic Indian journey — India's main international airport (Indira Gandhi T3), Golden Triangle starting point to Agra (Taj Mahal) and Jaipur, and one of the country's densest UNESCO heritage concentrations (3 UNESCO sites). But it's also the most exhausting stop — extreme winter air pollution, world capital of tourist scams, maximum sensory chaos. Our advice: 2-3 nights minimum, 4-5 star hotel for recovery (Imperial New Delhi €250-450/night, Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi €300-500/night, ITC Maurya €280-500/night), certified guide for first 1-2 days, FFP2 mask mandatory in winter, Uber/Ola exclusively. Optimal itinerary: D1 Old Delhi (Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk by cycle-rickshaw), D2 South Delhi (Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Lotus Temple), D3 New Delhi morning (India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Connaught Place, National Museum). Avoid November-February if possible (pollution), prefer October-March or April. The city isn't for everyone but it's the unavoidable first stop of any classic North India trip.
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