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

3.8 /5

Based on 27 experiences

2.5 /5

Based on research and crime data

Safety overview

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: 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: 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: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.

Tap water:Very unsafe

It's suggested to avoid drinking tap water in India, as it may not be truly safe and the risk of waterborne disease can be high. Bottled water or thoroughly treated water is recommended instead for drinking and cleaning teeth to avoid any health issues.

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Travel experiences

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 27 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.8/5

Safety

3.8/5

Food

4.8/5

Budget-friendly

4.4/5
Tirza

Tirza

Netherlands

Solo travel experience

While many people will warn you about India not being safe for solo female travelers, I've had a very positive experience overall while traveling around for 3 weeks. I found men will keep their distance if you make it clear you're not interested, I've been a bit uncomfortable a few times but never felt unsafe. Sights are beautiful, food is great, the culture very rich and intriguing. As long as you make smart decisions, I would definitely recommend a visit here.

Posted: November 2, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5
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Group travel experience

We were five women in India for about a month. We always covered our arms (with long-sleeved shirts), wore loose dresses down to our knees, and had modest necklines. We adhered to this very strictly, except for in the touristy town of Goa. We used public transport, trains, and buses both during the day and at night. There were no situations where we felt a direct threat, nobody touched us in crowded places or approached us with explicit propositions. The only disgusting situation that personally happened to me was when an older Hindu man leered at me with a smile on his face.

Posted: October 1, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

I was there for 15 days and spent less than a thousand dollars, including food, hotels, and internal transportation. India is a country where unfortunately there is a lot of sexism and harassment towards women. Often, when you walk around anywhere, people stare at you in a very uncomfortable way. When you visit temples, many times they follow you for "a photo" or just to flirt. But apart from that, it's a wonderful country.

Posted: September 7, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 3/5
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Solo travel experience

India is a challenging country for a solo female traveler but not impossible. I started in New Delhi - in this city, I didn't stay in a hotel as I had a contact to stay with, a local lady who showed me the city inside out. Then I took a train to Varanasi, the spiritual city of India, where many bodies are cremated daily and their ashes are scattered in the Ganges River, it's a religious belief and respectable. After that, I took a bus to Agra, where the famous Taj Mahal and many other attractions are located. Then took a train to Jaipur - known as the "pink" city, with beautiful temples and colorful palaces. After that, I took a flight to Amritsar - where I visited the famous Golden Temple and the border with Pakistan. I generally traveled by train, booked tickets in advance in first class, used my debit card at ATMs without any problems, ate at markets, but be careful as it's easy to get sick since the food is very spicy or not hygienic. Upon arriving in a city, I hired a tuk-tuk or auto-rickshaw, which serves as your "taxi" and will take you everywhere. First, agree on a price as scams are common. Overall, it's a very beautiful country with friendly people. They will stare at you and ask for photos, especially if you're blonde. The language is Hindi, but some speak English and Spanish. I didn't have many communication problems. Lastly, it's a very, very cheap country.

Posted: September 5, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5
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Group travel experience

I wasn't alone, I went with 4 more friends, and even so, people surrounded us to take photos with us. It was somewhat overwhelming because they wouldn't let us walk, and that's even though we were in a group. We visited Jaipur, New Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and of course, Agra. All those cities were dirty and chaotic, but they also had very beautiful temples and mosques that were truly worth visiting. I didn't like the food, but besides that, everything was very affordable (transport, accommodation, food).

Posted: September 2, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

I took a solo trip around India and I never felt unsafe. India is a wonderful country filled with amazing people. It's worth taking normal precautions as you would on any journey. I recommend avoiding large cities like Delhi or Mumbai.

Posted: August 24, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Group travel experience

I was there with a girlfriend. I wouldn't have dared to go alone, and I probably wouldn't go back. I didn't feel safe or comfortable. At every step, someone tried to deceive us, and men were literally devouring us with their gaze. I can't tolerate that, and it takes away the joy of traveling for me.

Posted: August 21, 2023
Things to do: 4/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 2/5
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Solo travel experience

I spent 2 months alone in India, traveling from the south to the northwest coast. I followed basic travel safety principles, respected cultural customs, and felt safe. If I saw many women on the streets after dark, I allowed myself to stay out (like in Mumbai). If I saw only men or empty streets, I made sure to check in at the hotel before nightfall. I often stayed in hostels, in multi-gender dormitory rooms, with a mix of Indian residents and European travelers – everything was always fine.

Posted: August 20, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

I was just in India alone for almost 3 months. Lots of stares and annoying men but nothing scary. I was extra careful about arriving late at night and taking taxis but I felt safe.

Posted: August 8, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

I traveled alone in India for a month. People often think India is not safe for women, but I had an incredible experience. People I didn't know were incredibly kind to me. If you have the opportunity, don't be scared to visit India!

Posted: August 1, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Local experiences

Definitely dress more conservatively to be safe! And don’t go out at night in a lot of places. I would visit Agra for the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, Mumbai (the LA of India), Goa (the relaxing, destination spot), and New Delhi. Try to learn some words in Hindi as well!

Posted: June 27, 2022
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Avoid Night travelling within the city. Do not expose skin. Wear lose and modest dress which covers all your body. Do not go to secluded place. Do not wear anything that shows cleavage. Drink bottled water. Take probiotics. Use train for traveling. Us sleeper class or above for traveling. Avoid general class in train. Always share the pictures of driver and name plate with others if traveling by taxi or Uber. Do not become too friendly with males and do not become complacent.

Posted: June 11, 2022
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Meet locals in India

Pau

Pau

Speaking

About Me

hiii I’m pau, 19 y/o and I really enjoy just being on the road (or better: on the train) visiting different cultures and landscapes. I am fascinated by different lifestyles and people, which is why I love the opportunity of this app to meet new people (safely!). I really enjoy creative stuff, music (playing instruments) and when it comes to sports, I love hiking and climbing. ok, so much about myself :)

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇮🇳 India

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Juhi

Juhi

Speaking

About Me

Hey! I'm a 25 year old soul who's just stepped out in the real world. So I love reading, travelling (obviously), socialising, cooking, sleeping, talking, the stars and the universe, and everything good and bad. I'm always up for a conversation and history and nature excite me. I'm pursuing my Master's at University of Bath currently. Coming to travelling, I'm a wandering soul. New places make me fall in love with myself all over again. I love catching sunsets from around the world, because even though its the same sun, its always a different sky and different people and different emotions. I'm open to meeting, and if you want to see around Bath - HIT ME UP!

Countries I’ve Visited

🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇳 India, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇳🇱 Netherlands

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Pooja

Pooja

Speaking

About Me

I love to meet new friends and travel with them.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇮🇳 India, 🇳🇵 Nepal

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Stay with locals in India

Juhi

Juhi

Speaking

You can stay for:

2 days

About me

Hey! I'm a 25 year old soul who's just stepped out in the real world. So I love reading, travelling (obviously), socialising, cooking, sleeping, talking, the stars and the universe, and everything good and bad. I'm always up for a conversation and history and nature excite me. I'm pursuing my Master's at University of Bath currently. Coming to travelling, I'm a wandering soul. New places make me fall in love with myself all over again. I love catching sunsets from around the world, because even though its the same sun, its always a different sky and different people and different emotions. I'm open to meeting, and if you want to see around Bath - HIT ME UP!

Countries I’ve Visited

🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇳 India, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇳🇱 Netherlands

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Pooja

Pooja

Speaking

You can stay for:

7 days

About me

I love to meet new friends and travel with them.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇮🇳 India, 🇳🇵 Nepal

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Titir

Titir

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

About me

I'm new to this :)

Countries I’ve Visited

🇳🇵 Nepal

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Upcoming visitors to India

Steffi

Steffi

Speaking

About Me

Hello, I'm Steffi and I'm interested in art, food & cuisine, solo travel and culture

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇺 Australia, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇲🇲 Myanmar [Burma], 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇹🇳 Tunisia, 🇺🇦 Ukraine, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇻🇦 Vatican City

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Tiffany

Tiffany

About Me

Hi girls, Nice to meet you, I am going to India in Jan, hope to meet some of you from here

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Local discussions

Solo travelWhich city is best for a first time solo travel to India: Varanasi or Kochi?

Varanasi or Kochi for a first time solo travel to India? 🤔 I am 22, I have travelled solo before - to Cuba, Maldives, Abu Dhabi. I am cautious, but safety is my concern.

Posted: October 8, 2022
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BackpackingWhen is the best time to go backpacking in India & which places should I visit?

Hi everyone Thinking of backpacking around India. Anyone done this? When is the best time to go & which places are recommended to visit + how long would you recommend to go for? Thank you

Posted: October 3, 2022
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Safety in India