Happy Layover

The best time to visit New York

Best weather Apr–Jun and Sep–OctPeak season May–Jul and Sep–Dec9h 30m behind India
Photo: Marco Cortese, CC BY-SA 2.0

New York is at its best from April to June and September to October.

It is busiest and priciest in May to July and September to December.

Expect the most rain in August to October.

Here is every month at a glance, the dates to plan around, and flights from five Indian cities.

New York month by month

Average highs and lows, rain, the season and what's on, for the next twelve months.

MonthWeatherSeasonWhat's on
October 2026Best weather 19° / 11°rainy spells, 131 mm Peak
Dussehra
November 2026 12° / 4°some rain, 79 mm Peak
DiwaliThanksgiving
December 2026 6° / 0°rainy spells, 120 mm Peak
Christmas and New Year
January 2027 4° / -3°rainy spells, 93 mm Off-season
Christmas and New YearRepublic Day weekend
February 2027 6° / -2°rainy spells, 94 mm Off-season
Winter: -3 to 4°C, and snowstorms can cancel flights. The cheapest months for hotels.
March 2027 10° / 1°rainy spells, 118 mm Shoulder
HoliGood Friday weekend
April 2027Best weather 14° / 6°rainy spells, 111 mm Shoulder
Indian summer holidays
May 2027Best weather 19° / 12°rainy spells, 108 mm Peak
Indian summer holidays
June 2027Best weather 25° / 17°some rain, 81 mm Peak
Indian summer holidays
July 2027 28° / 21°rainy spells, 121 mm Peak
Fourth of JulyStudent rush
August 2027 27° / 20°rainy spells, 103 mm Shoulder
Student rush
September 2027Best weather 24° / 17°rainy spells, 117 mm Peak
UN General Assembly

Dates to plan around

Festivals, holidays and closures in New York, and the Indian holiday rushes that raise fares.

  • 20 OctDussehraDussehra falls on Tuesday 20 Oct: many take the Monday off for a four-day weekend, so short trips abroad cost more that week.
  • 6–10 NovDiwaliDiwali (Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 Nov): the busiest travel week of the autumn. Fares out of India rise, and short trips to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore book up.
  • 25–29 NovThanksgivingThanksgiving (Thursday 26 Nov): the busiest travel days of the US year fall around it, and many shops close on the day.
  • 19 Dec – 3 JanChristmas and New YearThe priciest fortnight of the year to fly out of India: school holidays, Christmas and New Year all at once. Book early or go just before or after.
  • 23–26 JanRepublic Day weekendRepublic Day falls on Tuesday 26 Jan: take the Monday off and it's a four-day weekend, so short trips abroad book up.
  • 22–23 MarHoliHoli (22-23 Mar) and Good Friday (26 Mar) fall in the same week, a favourite week for short trips abroad, so fares rise.
  • 26–28 MarGood Friday weekendGood Friday (26 Mar) makes a long weekend in India, just after Holi.
  • 15 Apr – 15 Jun · expectedIndian summer holidaysSchool holidays (roughly mid-April to mid-June, varying by state): outbound family travel peaks and fares climb, especially to the Gulf, Southeast Asia and Europe.
  • 3–5 JulFourth of JulyIndependence Day falls on a Sunday, so Monday 5 Jul is the holiday: fireworks, and busy roads and airports.
  • 20 Jul – 31 Aug · expectedStudent rushThousands of Indian students fly out for autumn intakes, so fares from India to the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Europe peak from late July through August.
  • 21–28 Sep · expectedUN General AssemblyHigh-level week at the UN: Midtown Manhattan hotels spike and roads around the UN close.
  • 27–31 OctDiwaliDiwali (Lakshmi Puja on Friday 29 Oct): the busiest travel week of the autumn. Fares out of India rise, and short trips abroad book up.

Flights to New York from India

The cheapest fare our scanner has seen from each city in the last two weeks. Open a route to price every month live.

Good to know

When is the best time to visit New York?

The best weather in New York is from April to June and September to October. Spring and autumn: 15-24°C, the most pleasant months for walking the city. Peak season, with the most visitors and the highest hotel prices, is May to July and September to December. The quietest months are January to February.

When is the rainy season in New York?

The wettest months are August to October. Atlantic hurricane season peaks from August to October. The city is rarely hit, but storms can disrupt flights.

When is New York most crowded?

Peak season is May to July and September to December, when stays cost the most and the sights are busiest.

What is the cheapest way to fly to New York from India?

Of the Indian cities we track, Bangalore has the lowest fare right now: ₹69,286 (return, 14 nights) for Mon 5 Oct.

How hot does New York get?

The hottest month is July, with average highs of 28°C; the coolest nights come in January, around -3°C.

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