New Delhi Weather in October

October weather

October brings warm, mostly sunny days to New Delhi. Afternoons can still feel hot, but evenings are more comfortable for wandering around Lodhi Garden or exploring Humayun's Tomb. Rain is uncommon, so you're less likely to lose a sightseeing day to showers than in September.

The midday heat can make long walks around the wide avenues of Lutyens' Delhi tiring. Save those for later in the day, and use the cooler hours for a visit to the Red Fort or a meal in Old Delhi. October is a good month for outdoor sightseeing, though November is cooler and drier.

Festivals and crowds

Gandhi Jayanti, on 2 October, is a national holiday. Dussehra and Diwali can also fall in October, but their dates change each year. Around these festivals, markets and streets can get busy, and some businesses may close or change their hours.

If you hate crowds, avoid Chandni Chowk around major festival days and go on a quieter weekday instead. October sits between the heavy monsoon and the busier November-to-February travel season. Crowds and prices tend to build as the weather cools, so October can feel less packed than those peak months, though festival weekends are an exception.

Local tips for New Delhi

With clear skies and little rain, October suits a mix of monuments, gardens and food stops. Try chaat in Chandni Chowk, but expect narrow lanes and slow-moving traffic, especially near the main market.

Travelling with kids? Pick one large sight at a time, then take a break in the shade at Lodhi Garden. For Old Delhi, the Chandni Chowk Metro station puts you close to the market; the walk from there can be crowded, so keep your group together.