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When is the Best Time to Go?

Choose the perfect time so your trip is truly special.

Planning the ideal trip means more than just choosing a destination—timing is key. Climate, local festivals, tourist peaks, and changes in a city’s daily life can all impact your experience. During major holidays, prices can double, rooms may become scarce, and the local atmosphere can shift dramatically—sometimes making it difficult to connect with the destination in an authentic way.

Below, you’ll find a chart that shows, month by month, the best times, transitional periods, and months to avoid for each country and region.

Complete Southeast Asia Travel Season Guide
🇹🇭 Thailand
All
Bangkok
North
Andaman
Gulf
Bangkok
November–April
Dry and mild
May–October
Frequent rain and humid heat
Hot all year. November–April: dry and mild. May–October: frequent rain and humid heat.
North (Chiang Mai)
November–March
Dry and mild
March–April
Very hot
Dry and mild. April and May can be very hot.
Southwest (Andaman - Phuket)
November–March
Dry and mild
May–October
Rainy season
Dry and mild. October and early November may be rainy. April and May: very hot.
Southeast (Gulf - Koh Samui)
January–September
Pleasant and sunny
October–December
Heavy rains
Pleasant and sunny most of the year. October–November: strong rains. December: transitional month.
🇻🇳 Vietnam
All
North
Central
South
North (Hanoi, Sapa)
November–April
Mild, cool to cold winters
July–August
Heavy rain and heat
March–April
Haze in mountains
Mild, winters cool to cold (colder in Sapa). July–August: heavy rain and heat. March–April: haze in the mountains.
Central (Hoi An, Hué)
February–May
Best weather
October–December
Persistent floods
June–August
Extreme heat (>37°C)
Tropical climate. October–December: persistent floods. June–August: extreme heat (>37°C). January: transitional showers.
South (Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta)
December–May
Dry and hot
June–November
Frequent rain
Dry and hot. Frequent rain from June to November, especially July–August.
🇰🇭 Cambodia
Countrywide
November–March
Dry and mild
June–October
Rainy season
Dry and mild. April and May can be very hot (over 36°C). If sensitive to heat, prioritize November–March.
🇱🇦 Laos
Countrywide
November–February
Dry season
May–October
Heavy rain
March–April
Heat and haze (north)
Dry season. May–October: heavy rain. March–April: heat and haze in the north.
🇲🇲 Myanmar
Countrywide
November–February
Dry and mild
May–October
Monsoon rains
March–April
Very hot
Dry and mild. March–April: very hot. May–October: monsoon rains.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
All
Peninsular West
Peninsular East
Borneo
Peninsular West (Kuala Lumpur, Penang)
December–March
Most stable
May–September
Afternoon showers
Warm and humid year-round. May–September: afternoon showers (June–August manageable with umbrella). December–March: most stable.
Peninsular East (Perhentian Islands)
March–September
Dry by March
November–February
Intense monsoon
Best from March to September (dry by March). November–February monsoon: intense rain; islands may close.
Eastern (Borneo - Sabah, Sarawak)
March–October
Less rain
December–January
Intense rain
Equatorial climate. Frequent rain, but less from March to October. December–January: more intense and persistent rain.
🇸🇬 Singapore
Countrywide
February–April
Best period
June–September
Good period
December–January
Peak monsoon
Hot and humid all year. December: peak monsoon. January: brief showers (transition). Best: February–April and June–September.
🇮🇳 India
All
North
South
North (Delhi, Rajasthan)
October–March
Pleasant climate
June–September
Monsoon
Mild and dry. April–May: hot. June–September: monsoon. October–March: pleasant climate.
South (Kerala, Goa)
November–March
Best period
June–September
Rains and monsoon
Tropical, hot throughout the year. Best: November–March. June–September: rains and monsoon.
🇮🇩 Indonesia
Countrywide
April–October
Dry and pleasant
December–March
Intense rain
Tropical. April–October: dry and pleasant. December–March: intense rain.
🇵🇭 Philippines
Countrywide
December–May
Dry season
June–November
Typhoon season
Dry season with calm seas. High demand in December–February and Holy Week. Typhoon/rainy season June–November.
🇯🇵 Japan
Countrywide
Late March–May
Cherry blossom season
August
Dry heat
June–mid July
Tsuyu rains
Cherry blossom: late March–early April. May and August: pleasant (dry heat). June–mid-July: tsuyu rains.
🇰🇷 South Korea
Countrywide
April–June
Pleasant spring
September–October
Clear autumn
July–August
Heat and rain
December–February
Intense cold
Spring/autumn: pleasant and clear. July–August: heat and rain. Winter: intense cold and snow.
Shantitur Season Chart
DestinationBest
period
AvoidKeys and considerations
Thailand
BangkokNov–AprMay–OctHot all year. November–April: dry and mild. May–October: frequent rain and humid heat.
NorthNov–MarMar–AprDry and mild. Very hot in April and May.
Southwest (Andaman)Nov–MarMay–OctDry and mild. October and early November may be rainy. April and May: very hot.
Southeast (Gulf)Jan–SepOct–DecPleasant and sunny most of the year. October–November: strong rains. December: transitional month.
Vietnam
NorthNov–AprJul–Aug
Mar–Apr
Mild, winters cool to cold (colder in Sapa). July–August: heavy rain and heat. March–April: haze in the mountains.
CentralFeb–MayOct–Dec
Jun–Aug
Tropical climate. October–December: persistent floods. June–August: extreme heat (>37°C). January: transitional showers.
SouthDec–MayJun–NovDry and hot. Frequent rain from June to November, especially July–August.
CambodiaNov–MarJun–OctDry and mild. April and May can be very hot (over 36 °C). If sensitive to heat, prioritize November–March.
LaosNov–FebMay–Oct
Mar–Apr
Dry season. May–October: heavy rain. March–April: heat and haze in the north.
MyanmarNov–FebMay–Oct
Mar–Apr
Dry and mild. March–April: very hot. May–October: monsoon rains.
Malaysia
Peninsular (West)Dec–MarMay–SepWarm and humid year-round. May–September: afternoon showers (June–August manageable with umbrella). December–March: most stable.
Peninsular (East)Mar–SepNov–FebBest from March to September (dry by March). November–February monsoon: intense rain; islands may close.
Eastern (Borneo)Mar–OctDec–JanEquatorial climate. Frequent rain, but less from March to October. December–January: more intense and persistent rain.
SingaporeFeb–Apr
Jun–Sep
Dec–JanHot and humid all year. December: peak monsoon. January: brief showers (transition). Best: February–April and June–September.
India
NorthOct–MarJun–SepMild and dry. April–May: hot. June–September: monsoon. October–March: pleasant climate.
SouthNov–MarJun–SepTropical, hot throughout the year. Best: November–March. June–September: rains and monsoon.
IndonesiaApr–OctDec–MarTropical. April–October: dry and pleasant. December–March: intense rain.
PhilippinesDec–MayJun–NovDry season with calm seas. High demand in December–February and Holy Week. Typhoon/rainy season June–November.
JapanLate Mar–May
Aug
Jun–mid JulCherry blossom: late March–early April. May and August: pleasant (dry heat). June–mid-July: tsuyu rains.
South KoreaApr–Jun
Sep–Oct
Jul–Aug
Dec–Feb
Spring/autumn: pleasant and clear. July–August: heat and rain. Winter: intense cold and snow.

🌍 Climate and Best Times to Travel in Asia

To choose your ideal trip, sometimes all you need is a quick look at the best time to visit each destination. This visual chart lets you compare, month by month, the ideal periods, transition months, and times to avoid in each country and region.
And an important note: you'll see that Shantitur’s trips always match the optimal seasons.
Best Time to Travel in Asia | Shantitur
DESTINOE
N
E
F
E
B
M
A
R
A
B
R
M
A
Y
J
U
N
J
U
L
A
G
O
S
E
P
O
C
T
N
O
V
D
I
C
Thailand
North🟩🟩🟥🟥🟧🟥🟥🟥🟨🟩🟩🟩
Bangkok🟩🟩🟩🟧🟧🟥🟥🟥🟥🟨🟩🟩
West Coast🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥🟥🟥🟨🟨🟩🟩
East Coast🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥🟩
Vietnam
North🟩🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥🟥🟨🟩🟩🟩
Central🟨🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥🟥🟨🟥🟥🟥
South🟩🟩🟩🟩🟧🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟩🟩
Cambodia🟩🟩🟩🟨🟧🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟩🟩
Laos🟩🟩🟥🟥🟧🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟩🟩
Myanmar🟩🟩🟥🟥🟧🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟩🟩
Malaysia
West Coast🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟩🟩
East Coast🟥🟥🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥🟥
Borneo🟥🟥🟨🟨🟨🟩🟩🟩🟨🟨🟥🟥
Singapore🟨🟩🟩🟩🟨🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥🟥
Bali🟥🟥🟨🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥
Philippines🟩🟩🟩🟩🟧🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟩🟩
Japan🟦🟦🟦🟩🟩🟥🟥🟩🟩🟩🟦🟦
South Korea🟦🟦🟦🟩🟩🟥🟥🟧🟩🟩🟦🟦
🟩 Ideal (<32°C, dry)
🟨 Transition (rains)
🟧 Very Hot (33–37°C)
🟥 Heat Danger (>37°C)
🟥 Avoid (rains/typhoons)
🟦 Cold Transition
🟦 Extreme Cold (<5°C)
Best Time to Travel in Asia | Shantitur
DestinationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Thailand
North🟩🟩🟥🟥🟧🟥🟥🟥🟨🟩🟩🟩
Bangkok🟩🟩🟩🟧🟧🟥🟥🟥🟥🟨🟩🟩
West Coast (Andaman)🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥🟥🟥🟨🟨🟩🟩
East Coast (Gulf)🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥🟩
Vietnam
Northern Vietnam🟩🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥🟥🟨🟩🟩🟩
Central Vietnam🟨🟩🟩🟩🟨🟨🟥🟥🟥
Southern Vietnam🟩🟩🟩🟩🟧🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟩🟩
Cambodia🟩🟩🟩🟨🟧🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟩🟩
Laos🟩🟩🟥🟥🟧🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟩🟩
Myanmar🟩🟩🟥🟥🟧🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟩🟩
Malaysia
West Coast (Peninsula)🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟩🟩
East Coast (Peninsula)🟥🟥🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥🟥
Borneo🟥🟥🟨🟨🟨🟩🟩🟩🟨🟨🟥🟥
Singapore🟨🟩🟩🟩🟨🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥🟥
Indonesia (Bali)🟥🟥🟨🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟨🟥🟥
Philippines🟩🟩🟩🟩🟧🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟩🟩
Japan🟦🟦🟦🟩🟩🟥🟥🟩🟩🟩🟦🟦
South Korea🟦🟦🟦🟩🟩🟥🟥🟧🟩🟩🟦🟦
Color Guide:
🟩 Ideal (<32°C, dry) 🟨 Transition (rains) 🟧 Very Hot (33–37°C) 🟥 Heat Danger (>37°C) 🟥 Avoid (rains/typhoons) 🟦 Cold Transition 🟦 Extreme Cold (<5°C)

Comparative chart of ideal, transition, and avoid months for traveling in Asia, Southeast Asia, India, Japan, and Korea.Perfect for those who want to plan their trip with confidence and clarity.

Country Details

Tropical, hot all year. Typical temperatures: 22–34 °C, can exceed 36 °C in April–May.
Ideal: November to March.
Transition: April and May (very hot, some early rains possible).
Avoid: June to October (heavy rains).
Note: If sensitive to heat, prioritize November to March.
NORTH
Ideal: November to March. Dry and pleasant weather.
Transition: April and May. Rising heat; April can be extremely hot.
Avoid: July to October due to heavy rains and high humidity. March and April because of rice field burning, air may be unhealthy.
Note: During burning season, air quality drops, but it usually does not reach the toxicity levels of Chiang Mai or Laos.

SOUTHWEST (ANDAMAN)
Ideal: November to March. Dry and comfortable.
Transition: April and May. Hot months; rains may start in late May.
Avoid: June to October due to monsoon rains and unstable weather.

SOUTHEAST (GULF)
Ideal: January to September. Mostly sunny and pleasant.
Transition: October and December. Strong rains can occur, especially in October.
Avoid: November due to heavy rains and cloudy days.

BANGKOK
Ideal: November to April. Dry and warm.
Avoid: May to October due to frequent rains and humid heat.
NORTH (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong)
Dry, with cool to cold winters, warm and humid summers. Sapa is 7–10 °C colder than Hanoi.
Ideal: Hanoi/Halong: November, March, April (13–26 °C). Sapa: November, March, April (6–19 °C).
Transition: December–January: Hanoi/Halong: cool to cold, cloudy (12–19 °C); Sapa: cold, lows 3–6 °C, highs 10–16 °C, possible fog. May: hot (30–33 °C), high humidity, occasional rain. September: occasional rains, decreasing temperature.
Avoid: July–August: intense rains, heat, and humidity. March–April: burning in the mountains (Sapa, Lao Cai), air less pure.
Note: If sensitive to smoke, prioritize November or post-rainy season (October–November).

CENTRAL (Hue, Hoi An)
Ideal: February to May (20–33 °C).
Transition: May, September (hot or rainy).
Avoid: October to January (heavy rains), June to August (extreme heat).

SOUTH (Saigon, Delta, Beaches)
Ideal: December to May (22–34 °C).
Transition: November (some rains possible).
Avoid: June to November (prolonged rains).
Tropical climate.
Ideal: November to February (17–30 °C).
Transition: March–April (hot and burning in the north, unhealthy air).
Avoid: May to October (heavy rains).
Note: March–April can be very hot; if sensitive to heat and smoke, prioritize earlier months.
Tropical, with dry and rainy seasons (15–35 °C).
Ideal: November to February.
Transition: March–April (hot and burning in north/center, unhealthy air).
Avoid: May to October (strong monsoons), March–April (burning, unhealthy air).
Note: March–April: intense heat and unhealthy air, especially north and center.
PENINSULAR WEST
Ideal: December to March. Stable, mild and humid.
Avoid: May to September (heavier rains).
Note: May to September: most intense rains.

PENINSULAR EAST
Ideal: April to September. Clear weather, sea is calm, ideal for the islands.
Avoid: November to February (monsoon, intense rains, many islands close to tourism).
Note: November–February: strong monsoon, many resorts closed.

BORNEO (East Malaysia)
Ideal: March to October.
Avoid: December to January (heaviest and most persistent rains).
Note: Year-round equatorial climate; heaviest rains in Dec–Jan.
Equatorial, warm and humid year-round (24–32 °C).
Ideal: February to April, June to September.
Avoid: November to January (monsoon, more intense rains).
Note: During Lunar New Year (Jan/Feb), many shops close and the city’s vibe changes.
NORTH
Ideal: October to March (8–25 °C).
Transition: April and September (can be hot or with isolated rains).
Avoid: June to September (monsoon, intense heat).
Note: April and May can be very hot.

SOUTH
Ideal: November to March (20–32 °C).
Transition: April–May (hotter).
Avoid: June to September (monsoons).
Note: We avoid big festivals and heavy rain periods.
Tropical, clear wet and dry seasons (24–31 °C).
Ideal: April to October (September preferred).
Transition: November, March (some rain possible, but usually nice weather).
Avoid: December to February (heavy rains).
Note: September is ideal for fewer tourists and optimal weather.
Tropical, warm all year, typhoon season June–November.
Ideal: December to May (24–34 °C).
Transition: November (possible rain, still favorable).
Avoid: June to November (typhoons and heavy rain).
Note: The north is greener from April. High demand and prices December–February and Holy Week; after Holy Week, fewer tourists and better prices.
Temperate, four marked seasons.
Ideal:
• Sakura/Bloom: late March to early April (varies by region) (5–20 °C).
• May (10–25 °C).
Transition:
• April (bloom in the north, intermediate temperatures).
• Summer (June to September): hot and humid (25–35 °C), not strictly to be avoided.
Avoid: June to mid-July (tsuyu rains).
Note: In winter (December–February) cold, snow in alpine areas (–2 to 10 °C). Sakura: unique scenery, high prices and demand. May: pleasant weather, fewer tourists.
Four marked seasons, temperate to cold climate.
Ideal: April to June and September to October (10–26 °C), with mild weather, clear skies and festivals.
Transition: March (end of winter, still cool), November (late autumn, can be cold).
Avoid: July and August: heat, high humidity, monsoon rains. December to February: severe cold, possible snowfall (–5 °C to 7 °C).
Note: Spring and autumn are ideal for exploring cities, temples and national parks. Summer is humid and rainy; winter is very cold with less cultural activity.

Want to combine destinations or need personalized help choosing your ideal dates?
Contact us—we’ll create the best experience together, tailored to your preferences and the optimal time for each place.

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