India · Asia
Delhi, India: cost, safety and best time to visit (2026)
Population: 11.0MCurrency: INRTime zone: Asia/Kolkata
US travel advisory
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Best months to visit
Feb, Mar, Oct and Nov
highest visit score, Open-Meteo climate record
About Delhi
Delhi is India's capital-region megacity, home to about 11 million people in the city itself, and it sits at the crossroads of Mughal-era monuments, government buildings, and dense modern neighborhoods. Prices are among the lowest of any major world capital, with daily costs estimated at $25 for a budget trip, $60 for mid-range travel, and $130 for a more comfortable, luxury-leaning day. Over a full week those figures scale to $175, $420, and $910. The climate swings widely across the year: cool, sunny weather from November through March gives way to extreme heat in April and May, then heavy monsoon rain from June through September. The best-rated months for a visit are February, March, October, and November, when daytime highs are milder and rainfall is low. Travelers should also note that the US State Department places India at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, a country-level rating rather than a Delhi-specific one, and the UK government publishes detailed advice on crime, scams, and demonstrations that visitors should read before arrival.
Weather through the year
Average high in °C and monthly rainfall in mm, from the Open-Meteo archive.
Jan
19°
21mm
Feb
25°
19mm
Mar
30°
26mm
Apr
37°
7mm
May
39°
23mm
Jun
38°
119mm
Jul
34°
268mm
Aug
33°
202mm
Sep
33°
198mm
Oct
32°
15mm
Nov
27°
4mm
Dec
22°
13mm
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a week in Delhi cost?
A week of budget travel is estimated at $175, mid-range travel at $420, and a more comfortable trip at $910, based on the daily tiers of $25, $60, and $130. These figures cover typical daily spending on lodging, food, and local transport rather than international flights.
When is the best time to visit Delhi?
February, March, October, and November are rated as the best months, combining warm but not extreme daytime highs, low rainfall, and several hours of daily sunshine. These months fall outside both the summer heat and the monsoon rains.
Is Delhi safe for tourists?
The US State Department rates India Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, at the country level, and UK guidance highlights risks from terrorism, demonstrations, crime, and scams that can affect tourist areas. Visitors should stay alert, especially around crowded sites, transit hubs, and during major national holidays or festivals.
Can I visit Delhi on a tight budget?
Yes, the budget daily estimate of $25 covers basic lodging, simple meals, and local transport for one person. A full week on this tier comes to $175, making it one of the more affordable major-city trips available.
When is the cheapest time to visit Delhi?
July, August, and September are the off-season months, coinciding with the heaviest monsoon rainfall of the year. Tourist numbers and prices both tend to drop in this stretch compared with the busier winter months.
What should I know about food and getting around in Delhi?
Street food and simple local eateries keep meal costs low and fit comfortably within the budget daily estimate, while sit-down restaurant meals push spending toward the mid-range tier. Local transport, including buses and the metro system, is inexpensive and is factored into the daily cost estimates.
Keep reading
Where it ranks
Country
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
- World Bank price level and exchange rate — CC BY 4.0, data year 2025
- US State Department travel advisories — public domain, fetched September 21, 2026
- UK FCDO foreign travel advice — Open Government Licence v3, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.