When to go · Shimla
Shimla in January
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (monsoon rain and landslides), late Dec–Jan (snow, ice, flight and road delays).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) / −7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 4
- Crowds
- High
- India overall
- Prices
- High
- India overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (monsoon rain and landslides), late Dec–Jan (snow, ice, flight and road delays).
Is another month better than January?
January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in January
- ShimlaHighs around 10 °C (50 °F), lows around -7 °C (19 °F), rain on about 4 daysHighs around 50 °F (10 °C), lows around 19 °F (-7 °C), rain on about 4 days
- Himalayan hills, India · Shimla, Rishikesh, Darjeeling, Sikkimcool
Landslides close roads in July–August; October–November gives the clearest mountain views.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas and New Year big impact
25 Dec – 1 Jan · India
Goa beds triple in price; Rajasthan and Kerala hotels full.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · India overall
- High
- Prices · India overall
- High
India overall: Peak for Rajasthan, Kerala and Goa; fog in the north delays trains and flights in the mornings.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Shimla, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Avoid
Mar: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 10 °C (50 °F)50 °F (10 °C)
Mar: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Night low
Jan: -7 °C (19 °F)19 °F (-7 °C)
Mar: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 4 (better)
Mar: 5
Crowds
Jan: High
Mar: Medium
Prices
Jan: High
Mar: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Mar: 1
January: Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (monsoon rain and landslides), late Dec–Jan (snow, ice, flight and road delays).
March: Inside Shimla's best window: Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov.
Shimla: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket