Carry-On Packing List for Delhi: Smog and Spice

Delhi is India's capital and one of the world's most historically layered cities — Mughal monuments, colonial architecture, ancient ruins, and a modern metropolis all in one place. It is also a city of extremes: summer temperatures can reach 48°C, winter mornings can be cold and foggy, and the air quality in autumn and winter is some of the worst of any major city on Earth. Packing for Delhi means thinking hard about which season you are visiting — the right kit varies dramatically by month.

Airlines at DEL and Carry-On Rules

IndiGo: the standard main bag is 55×35×25 cm, up to 7 kg, with an additional personal article up to 3 kg. Lite permits only one 7 kg cabin bag. Regular Stretch/Stretch+ bookings allow one main bag up to 12 kg; an airport/onboard upgrade from Lite retains Lite baggage limits.

Air India: one 55×40×20 cm main bag up to 7 kg in Economy/Premium Economy or 10 kg in Business/First, plus a 40×30×20 cm personal item up to 3 kg. Do not assume looser enforcement or copy another carrier’s allowance.

Air India Express: a 56×36×23 cm main bag and a 40×30×10 cm laptop bag share 7 kg. Purchased Xtra Carry-On slabs can increase the combined weight, subject to the booking and availability.

International carriers have their own dimensions, weights and personal-item rules. Compare your ticketed allowance with the airline policy rather than relying on a universal international standard.

Confirm the operating carrier and fare on every segment, then measure and weigh your packed bag. A domestic connection does not automatically inherit your international carrier’s allowance.

Delhi's Climate: An Extreme Range

Few capital cities on Earth swing as dramatically through the seasons as Delhi.

Summers (April–June): Brutal. Temperatures regularly reach 42–45°C and can spike to 48°C in June. The heat is dry, which makes it more survivable than Mumbai's humidity, but heat exhaustion is a genuine risk. June also brings some pre-monsoon storms.

Monsoon (July–September): Delhi gets a monsoon, though not as intense as Mumbai. Rainfall brings relief from heat but also humidity and flooding in some areas.

October–November: Pleasant — the transition season. October is often the most comfortable month, before the air quality deteriorates in November.

Winter (December–February): Cold mornings (down to 5°C), mild afternoons (12–18°C). Delhi also produces what locals call "smog fog" — a toxic combination of cold air, agricultural stubble burning in surrounding states, vehicle emissions, and construction dust. AQI (Air Quality Index) readings above 300 (Hazardous) are common from November through January, with spikes above 500.

Summer Packing: April–June

Summer in Delhi requires heat management above everything else.

Clothing: Ultra-light breathable cotton or linen. Light colours reflect heat. Loose-fitting is more comfortable than fitted. Long sleeves in light cotton actually protect from sun exposure better than bare arms in direct sun — counterintuitive but practical.

Sun protection: High-SPF sunscreen (SPF 50+ in June), wide-brimmed hat or cap, and sunglasses. The Delhi summer sun is intense.

Hydration: Carry a reusable water bottle. ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) sachets are worth having — available at any Indian pharmacy, they are useful if you feel the early signs of heat exhaustion (fatigue, headache, dizziness). Drink water constantly; do not wait until you feel thirsty.

Pacing: Plan outdoor monument visits for early morning (before 9 am) or late afternoon (after 4 pm). Midday at the Red Fort or Qutub Minar in June is genuinely risky.

Winter Packing: November–February

Delhi winters are colder than most visitors expect, and the air quality adds a layer of complexity.

Layers: Mornings can be 5–8°C and feel colder with the damp fog. A fleece mid-layer and a windproof jacket are genuinely useful. By midday you may be down to a single layer (15°C+), so pack things you can add and remove easily.

N95 or KN95 masks: This is not optional in November and December. Delhi's winter air quality is some of the world's worst and is a serious health concern, not an inconvenience. The AQI regularly exceeds 300 (Very Unhealthy) and sometimes reaches 500+ (Hazardous — off the standard scale). If you have any respiratory sensitivity, the risk is real. Download the IQAir app before you travel — it gives real-time AQI readings and forecasts for Delhi neighbourhoods.

Scarf or buff: Doubles as a pollution filter in a pinch, and keeps you warm in the morning cold.

Cultural Dress and Temples

Delhi's monument circuit includes Hindu temples and mosques. The rules differ by site:

• Hindu temples (Akshardham, Chattarpur Temples): Cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes at the entrance.
• Jama Masjid mosque: Women must cover their head and shoulders. A scarf is sufficient. Clothes covering shoulders and legs are required for both men and women.
• Secular monuments (Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar): No strict dress code but modest dress is respectful and practical in the heat.

Pack at least one longer bottom (skirt or trousers to the ankle) and a scarf that can double as a head cover.

The Taj Mahal Day Trip

The Taj Mahal is 230 km from Delhi — a logical day trip or overnight.

By train: The Gatimaan Express (India's fastest train at the time of writing) takes about 90 minutes from Hazrat Nizamuddin station in Delhi to Agra Cantonment. Book in advance on IRCTC or via a third-party agent. The Shatabdi Express takes around 2–2.5 hours.

What to bring: Sunscreen and a hat are essential at the Taj Mahal — it is a large open marble plaza with minimal shade, and you will be there for 1–3 hours. Bring your own water. Comfortable walking shoes (you will remove them before entering the main mausoleum — slip-ons are convenient). Small bags can usually be brought inside; large bags must be checked at the gate.

Timing: The Taj is extraordinary at sunrise — arrive at the gate as it opens. Late afternoon is also beautiful. Avoid midday in summer.

Medications and Health

Bring all regular medications from home. India has excellent pharmacies but specific brands, formulations, and dosages may not be available. Allergy medication is particularly useful in Delhi given the dust, pollen, and pollution. Any respiratory medication (inhalers etc.) is essential if you have a history of asthma or similar conditions.

Carry-On Packing Summary