Is India Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

India, although a country with a rich cultural heritage and numerous tourist attractions, poses some safety concerns for solo female travelers. It's essential to take extra precautions, like dressing modestly, avoiding late-night travels, and never sharing personal details with strangers. Instances of harassment can occur, more so in crowded places. It is advisable to hire reliable tour guides and avoid remote locations while traveling alone. Although many tourists have had incident-free travels, It's a good idea to research and stay updated about the areas you plan to visit. It's also recommended to stay at trusted accommodations with positive user reviews.

Safety rating

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How safe is India?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Unsafe

India is a beautiful destination with a rich history and vibrant culture. However, it can be a little challenging for solo women travelers especially during the night. It largely depends on the region you're in and the city areas, some are safer than others. While you could find well-lit and populated areas, there are also locations that can be deserted and poorly lit during the night. It is advised not to walk alone at night and always take reliable forms of transportation. Petty thefts and street harassments are mot uncommon. However, staying cautious and following security measures can aid in ensuring safety.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Moderate

Public transportation in India can be unpredictable and crowded, which may pose issues for solo female travelers. Buses and trains are commonly used by locals but can be overly packed during peak hours. Auto-rickshaws and taxis are considered safer, provided they are booked from a legitimate service. All-night bus journeys moreso on less reputable services could be problematic. Though cases of harassment are not uncommon, most travelers have an uneventful experience. It's advisable to exercise caution, avoid traveling at night and always be aware of your belongings.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:High

As a solo female traveler in India, you might experience noticeable levels of street harassment. It may not be all pervasive or universally the case, however, there is a possibility of receiving unsolicited attention or comments, particularly in crowded places. Often this is more discomforting than specifically dangerous, yet it does contribute to a significant part of the travel experience. To mitigate this, it is recommended to dress conservatively, refraining from solo outings after dark and maintaining a confident demeanor. It's important to get information beforehand about the specific regions you plan on visiting as the level of street harassment can vary.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Moderate

India has a moderate risk of petty crimes such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and theft, particularly in crowded places like markets, railway stations, and public buses. Always maintain vigilance, keep your belongings secure, and avoid displaying expensive items in public. However, most locals are friendly and willing to help. It's also worth mentioning that the risk varies significantly from one city or state to another, so it's essential to research and prepare accordingly.

Is India worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 151 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4/5

Food

4.3/5

Budget-friendly

3.9/5
Aditi

Aditi

India

Goa, Couple travel

We ate so muchh!! The food is amazing in Goa. Especially the places my boyfriend had picked. We stayed in Panjim at a boutique hotel (Mateus) for the first two days and enjoyed walking around that neighbourhood at night. So safe and serene. And so colorful :)! We went to ALL the viewpoints on our rented Fascino! The Suicide Point (Breathtaking btw) is something only locals know, so I went with a friend who lived there. It was absolutely amazing. We drank with every meal (as you do, in Goa). For the latter part of our trip, we went to stay near Anjuna Beach and we lazed around during the afternoon on the beach benches and ate some sizzler. It was a great experience.

Posted: June 1, 2025
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Gwalior, Group travel

It was great experience, I enjoyed with my friends and the cute was beautiful. We went to Gwalior fort , museum , temples and Gurdwara Bandi Shod . Overall it was amazing and it's was moderate in terms of safety

Posted: May 30, 2025Experienced: February, 2025
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Nyile

Nyile

India

Mumbai, Solo travel

Safe place Lovely food I live here Great people to socialize with, aunties are usually judgy. Regardless, if u have people u know you'll love the place. Ping me, I would love to hangout.

Posted: May 30, 2025
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Delhi, Solo travel

Delhi is a historical place with so many beautiful monuments. The food here is the best in India. But the safety is not great, you can't go out at night even with friends, and hate the pollution here.

Posted: May 29, 2025Experienced: April, 2025
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Kolkata, Solo travel

Okay I went on this trip last year to meet one of my friends it was nice but I'm concerned about safety and of course the male stares. Also the cleanliness is a concern as well. Nice trip though I'd def say

Posted: May 27, 2025
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Is India safe for women?

Safety index

3.9 /5

Based on 395 local experiences

Crime index

2.5 /5

Based on 395 local experiences

Trisala

Trisala

Bangalore

I think Bangalore is jampacked with people working in IT industry, fairly contains highly civilised people with common and civic sense. Due to the high number of people travelling in and out of Bangalore everyday, it's always safe to have a presence of mind around crowded areas especially public metros, buses and trains for pick pocketing/unauthorised videography by strangers. People are very kind otherwise, also recommend to learn a bit of Kannada(the local language), people are very kind and helpful when you try to speak in their language.

Posted: June 3, 2025
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Meet locals in India

manishita

manishita

About Me

I’m an ex-corporate girlie turned full-time traveler, now rooted in Pune, Maharashtra—with my heart still in my hometown, Jaipur, Rajasthan. I’m deeply passionate about food—whether it’s cooking up a comforting home-style meal or discovering hidden local gems. I love cooking sharing the rich flavors of Indian cuisine, especially Maharashtrian, Rajasthani, and North Indian dishes. I host women for free because I believe travel in India should feel joyful, safe, and soul-nourishing. My home with three cats and two guitars —a cozy, welcoming space where you can truly experience culture, connection, and comfort

Speaking

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Trisala

Trisala

About Me

Hello. I'm trish, I'm an introvert with an awkward sense of humor, love to explore places but never had the opportunity and guts to open up. Lately felt the need to turn a leaf and explore new places and meet amazing people around the world.

Speaking

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Stay with locals in India

manishita

manishita

Pune Metropolitan Region

Can host for:

5 days

About me

I’m an ex-corporate girlie turned full-time traveler, now rooted in Pune, Maharashtra—with my heart still in my hometown, Jaipur, Rajasthan. I’m deeply passionate about food—whether it’s cooking up a comforting home-style meal or discovering hidden local gems. I love cooking sharing the rich flavors of Indian cuisine, especially Maharashtrian, Rajasthani, and North Indian dishes. I host women for free because I believe travel in India should feel joyful, safe, and soul-nourishing. My home with three cats and two guitars —a cozy, welcoming space where you can truly experience culture, connection, and comfort

Speaking

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Jyotsna

Jyotsna

Gurugram

Can host for:

1 day

About me

Hi!! I am exploring life slowly, like REAAAAALLLLLLL s l o w……. But I want to change that, I want to live, explore, know people around and make few friends.

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to India

Martyna

Martyna

About Me

I'm Martyna. Im from Poland and moved to the UK 10 years ago. I love travelling which is why I studied tourism woth Spanish at university. I have visited over 30 countries now and I hope to visit many many more

Speaking

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Safety in India