India, Asia

Delhi and Agra in December

Peak season crowds and prices. Misty sunrises at the Taj are beautiful, but fog can cause long train and flight delays.

GoodCool, highs near 73F (23C), fog and smog common

Taj Mahal, Delhi and Agra — Delhi and AgraPhoto: Antrix3, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Delhi and Agra. Peak season crowds and prices. Misty sunrises at the Taj are beautiful, but fog can cause long train and flight delays.

Weather: Cool, highs near 73F (23C), fog and smog common
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Delhi and Agra

December is cool, with highs near 73F (23C), and fog and smog are common. Misty sunrises at the Taj are beautiful, but fog can cause long train and flight delays. It is peak season, with the biggest crowds and highest prices of the year.

It suits families on holiday breaks and travelers who like cool touring weather and can stay flexible. Book hotels and trains early and build in extra time for delays. Watch the air quality, especially with children. If you want clearer skies and fewer crowds, February and March are better.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Delhi and Agra this month.

Misty Taj sunrises

Fog can wrap the Taj in soft mist at dawn, one of the most beautiful sights of the season.

Cool days for touring

Comfortable days make long walks through Old Delhi and Fatehpur Sikri easy.

Winter food

Hot street food in Chandni Chowk tastes best on a cool evening.

What to pack for December

Warm layers for cold mornings
An N95 mask
Comfortable walking shoes
A scarf for mosque visits

Our timing tip

Book December trains and flights with extra time for fog delays, and avoid tight same-day connections.

Book Delhi and Agra for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Delhi and Agra
Opens a hotel search for Delhi and Agra in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
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Vacation rentals in Delhi and Agra
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Delhi and Agra
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Delhi and Agra for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Delhi and Agra

Full guide

Taj Mahal

Closed every Friday. Enter at sunrise from the east gate for the thinnest crowds and the best light; limited night viewing runs around the full moon.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Agra Fort

The red sandstone fortress where Shah Jahan was imprisoned, with views of the Taj across the Yamuna. Go in the late afternoon.

Tickets and tours →

Fatehpur Sikri

A perfectly preserved Mughal ghost capital about an hour from Agra. Visit early before the heat and crowds build.

Tickets and tours →

Humayun's Tomb

The garden tomb that inspired the Taj, and one of Delhi's calmest major sights. Beautiful at sunset.

Tickets and tours →

Red Fort and Old Delhi

The Red Fort is closed on Mondays. Pair it with Jama Masjid and a food walk through Chandni Chowk.

Tickets and tours →

Qutub Minar

A soaring 12th-century victory tower in a complex of ruins. Go at opening for the softest light.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Be at the Taj Mahal's east gate before sunrise. The first hour after opening is the calmest of the day, and the light is at its best.
Never plan the Taj for a Friday (closed) or the Red Fort and Akshardham for a Monday (closed).
February and March give peak-season weather with slightly thinner crowds and prices than December and January.
In Delhi, visit Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar at opening time, and save Old Delhi's markets for late afternoon when the food stalls are busiest.

Know before you go

The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday for prayers at its mosque. Night viewing is offered on a few nights around the full moon, except Fridays and during Ramadan; tickets are limited.
The Red Fort and Akshardham close on Mondays. National Museum hours also vary, so check before you go.
Winter fog, usually December to January, frequently delays trains and flights by hours. Build buffer time into any tight onward connection.
Around Republic Day, security closures affect central Delhi for several days, including rehearsals in the weeks before.

Delhi and Agra in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Delhi and Agra?

December is a good month to visit Delhi and Agra. Peak season crowds and prices. Misty sunrises at the Taj are beautiful, but fog can cause long train and flight delays.

What is the weather like in Delhi and Agra in December?

Cool, highs near 73F (23C), fog and smog common.

Is Delhi and Agra crowded in December?

December is peak crowd season in Delhi and Agra; expect lines at the headline sights.