India, Asia
Delhi and Agra in May
Brutal heat. Sightseeing outdoors is only realistic at dawn. Heatstroke is a real risk.
The straight answer
May is a month to think twice about visiting Delhi and Agra. Brutal heat. Sightseeing outdoors is only realistic at dawn. Heatstroke is a real risk.
- Weather
- Extremely hot, highs near 104F (40C), often higher
- Crowds
- 1 of 5
- Prices
- 1 of 5
What May is like in Delhi and Agra
May brings brutal heat. Highs reach about 104F (40C) and often go higher. Outdoor sightseeing is only realistic at dawn, and heatstroke is a real risk. Stone courtyards at mosques, where shoes come off, get painfully hot by midday. Crowds and prices are at their lowest.
We would steer most travelers away from May, especially families with children and older travelers. If you must go, see the Taj at sunrise and spend the day in air conditioning. For comfortable weather, plan your trip for October through March, with February and November the best.
Make the most of May
What is especially good about Delhi and Agra this month.
Empty monuments at dawn
Very few visitors come in May, so sunrise at the Taj is quiet.
Lowest prices of the year
Hotels are at their cheapest, including some of the best properties.
Indoor sights
Delhi's museums are a cool place to spend the heat of the day.
What to pack for May
- Light, loose clothing
- A wide-brim hat and cooling towel
- Electrolyte packets
- High-SPF sunscreen
Our timing tip
If you go in May, book a hotel with a pool and plan every outdoor sight for the first two hours after sunrise.
Book Delhi and Agra for May.
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- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Delhi and AgraOpens a hotel search for Delhi and Agra in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Delhi and AgraWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Delhi and AgraTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Delhi and Agra for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in Delhi and Agra
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.
Agra Fort
The red sandstone fortress where Shah Jahan was imprisoned, with views of the Taj across the Yamuna. Go in the late afternoon.
Fatehpur Sikri
A perfectly preserved Mughal ghost capital about an hour from Agra. Visit early before the heat and crowds build.
Humayun's Tomb
The garden tomb that inspired the Taj, and one of Delhi's calmest major sights. Beautiful at sunset.
Red Fort and Old Delhi
The Red Fort is closed on Mondays. Pair it with Jama Masjid and a food walk through Chandni Chowk.
Qutub Minar
A soaring 12th-century victory tower in a complex of ruins. Go at opening for the softest light.
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 May, quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Delhi and Agra?
May is a month to think twice about visiting Delhi and Agra. Brutal heat. Sightseeing outdoors is only realistic at dawn. Heatstroke is a real risk.
What is the weather like in Delhi and Agra in May?
Extremely hot, highs near 104F (40C), often higher.
Is Delhi and Agra crowded in May?
May is one of the quieter months in Delhi and Agra; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning Delhi and Agra.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
- 01Delhi and Agra in AprilThe month before: Hot, highs near 97F (36C), dryQuiet value
- 02Delhi and Agra in JuneThe month after: Extremely hot, highs near 102F (39C), humid pre-monsoon stormsThink twice
- 03Delhi and Agra in OctoberThe next best month: Warm and dry, highs near 91F (33C) early, cooler lateBest
Also at their best in May
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