Avoid
Agra in May
Uttar Pradesh, India
May is Agra at its most hostile. Temperatures hit 45-48°C. The white marble of the Taj Mahal absorbs so much heat that it will literally burn the soles of your feet by 10 AM — the cloth shoe covers provided at entry offer minimal protection on marble that's been baking since sunrise. Hot loo winds blow off the Rajasthan desert, carrying fine dust that coats everything and turns the sky a permanent yellow-white. The Yamuna is nearly dry, exposing cracked mud flats behind the Taj that smell of sewage in the heat. Afternoon outdoor sightseeing is not inadvisable — it's dangerous. Heatstroke cases spike at SN Medical College hospital every May.
The May story
NakshIQ does not recommend Agra in May. Full stop. But if you're here — connecting flight, wedding, unavoidable work — here's how to survive: arrive at the Taj gates at 5:45 AM, be inside by 6:00 AM when gates open, and be back in your air-conditioned car by 8:30 AM. That gives you 2.5 hours before the marble turns hostile. The Taj at 6 AM in May has a washed-out, heat-shimmer quality that's actually unique — it looks like a mirage, which in a way it is. Skip Fatehpur Sikri entirely — the exposed sandstone at 47°C is an oven. Agra Fort is survivable only in the shaded sections (Sheesh Mahal, Musamman Burj). Stay at hotels with pools — Oberoi Amarvilas or ITC Mughal — and treat the pool as your primary afternoon activity. Drink 4-5 litres of water daily. Carry oral rehydration salts. This is not tourism advice; it's survival protocol.
Why May scores 1/5
Weather
Brutal 35-47°C. White marble reflects blinding heat. Dehydration risk high. Virtually empty but miserable — avoid unless desperate.
Roads & Access
self drive: Easy highway.. road condition: Yamuna Expressway excellent.. public transport: Gatimaan Express, Shatabdi from Delhi.. from nearest city: Delhi 230km 3-4hrs Yamuna Expressway. Gatimaan Express 1h40m.. last km difficulty: easy
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 4/5. rescue: Standard city. helpline: UP Tourism: 0522-2308916. ambulance: 108. police station: Tourist police at Taj. nearest hospital: SN Medical College. Multiple private.
Network
VI: Yes, JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes. Full coverage.
Kids
Kid-friendly (5/5) — Taj Mahal is the ultimate school trip, Agra Fort is massive and explorable, Close to Delhi — easy logistics
Elevation
171m — Low altitude, no issues
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Absolutely nobody by choice — this is Agra's worst month
- ✓Travellers stranded by circumstances who need a 6 AM Taj survival plan
- ✓Extreme photographers wanting heat-shimmer mirage shots of the Taj at dawn
Who should think twice
- ✗Everyone — 45-48°C with marble that burns skin is not a travel experience
- ✗Elderly visitors — heatstroke risk is medically serious
- ✗Families with children — no outdoor time is safe after 9 AM
- ✗Anyone with heart or respiratory conditions — the heat is life-threatening
- ✗Budget travellers in non-AC accommodation — you will not sleep
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4/5 | Cold morning fog, clears by 10am. Taj in mist is iconic. |
| February | 5/5 | Perfect 12-25C. Clear skies. Best for photography. |
| March | 4/5 | Pleasant 18-32°C mornings, warming afternoons. Holi celebrations add colour. Moderate tourist crowds — still comfortable for Taj sunrise visits. |
| April | 2/5 | Scorching 28-40°C. Taj marble radiates heat by midday. Only viable at sunrise/sunset. Hotels drop rates but AC is essential. |
| Mayviewing | 1/5 | Brutal 35-47°C. White marble reflects blinding heat. Dehydration risk high. Virtually empty but miserable — avoid unless desperate. |
| June | 1/5 | Peak heat 40-48°C before monsoon breaks. Dangerous for outdoor sightseeing. Empty monuments but heatstroke risk is real. Do not visit. |
| July | 2/5 | Monsoon. Taj with dramatic clouds can be beautiful. |
| August | 2/5 | Monsoon continues, 30-38°C with high humidity. Yamuna floods occasionally. Muggy conditions make walks unpleasant. Few tourists. |
| September | 3/5 | Monsoon easing, 28-35°C. Hot sticky afternoons but mornings are manageable. Crowds start returning. Green surroundings near Taj. |
| October | 5/5 | Perfect 20-33°C with clean post-monsoon air. Golden light on Taj is iconic. Peak season begins — book sunrise slots early. |
| November | 5/5 | Excellent. Cool, clear, Taj at its photogenic best. |
| December | 4/5 | Cool 7-22°C. Dense fog possible at dawn — can obscure Taj sunrise. Clears by 10am usually. Great hotel deals, low crowds. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Delhi 230km 3-4hrs Yamuna Expressway. Gatimaan Express 1h40m.. Roads: Yamuna Expressway excellent.. Self-drive: Easy highway.. Public transport: Gatimaan Express, Shatabdi from Delhi.. Last stretch: easy
Elevation
171m
Difficulty
easy
Budget tier
mixed
The Window — every Sunday
Best score this week, the honest skip, road intel, and what changed. Free. No spam.
One email per Sunday. Unsubscribe anytime.