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 166 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4/5

Food

4.3/5

Budget-friendly

3.8/5

Delhi, Family travel

I have been living in Delhi since 2024 . I travelled to many places and I felt that traveling through metro is cheap but with private vehicle it is expensive. I only prefer to travel in morning because I don't feel safe at night .

Posted: August 7, 2025
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Kodaikanal, Family travel

Beautiful scenic place with nice weather but overly crowded touristy areas. Some scammers trying to buy to stuff. Rest is good. Food is pricy as per local rates but affordable. Weekends are jam packed

Posted: August 2, 2025Experienced: January, 2025
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Prayagraj, Solo travel

I attended the Mahakumbh. So it was quite safe at that time. As it was the biggest Kumbh Mela in 144 years, security was quite present. Irrespective of which incidents have happened. Uttar Pradesh, in general, is unsafe. However, it was quite expensive, as all the locals wanted to grab as much business as possible due to the religious importance to religious people and otherwise, the festival was a source of business for influencers and a source of discovery for other travellers and explorers.

Posted: July 12, 2025Experienced: January, 2025
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Visakhapatnam, Family travel

Vizag is my hometown so yeah I have a soft spot for this place but for travelling it takes more time than any other state like from ahemdabad to Andhra it takes around 2 days in train. The place is safe but at night I would recommend carrying safety tools and stuff. It's a great place and many places are there to hangout, and visit..

Posted: July 9, 2025Experienced: April, 2023
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India, Group travel

I had a great fun , I travelled with my friends so it was pretty much chill had some emotional episodes but still fun looking forward to go on more and also thinking to go on solo trips yeh that was the experience I jad

Posted: July 6, 2025
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Tannaz

Tannaz

India

Meghalaya, Family travel

I have visited Meghalaya multiple times over the years . It is extremely safe for women even at night backed by a strong matrilineal society. Its clean and even the road side dhabas are very cleanliness oriented. The food is amazing- veg and non-veg. The people are kind and helpful . There are many beautiful waterfalls, caves, hills to explore.

Posted: June 28, 2025Experienced: June, 2025
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Is India safe for women?

Safety index

3.9 /5

Based on 462 local experiences

Crime index

2.5 /5

Based on 462 local experiences

Kolkata

This city is pretty much safer compared to other metro cities of India. The transport around the city is safer and cheap too. Even around night time it is considered safer for women, as the police patrolling happens quite frequently. The locals are also somewhat educated to converse in other languages, and most times are helpful to the tourists.

Posted: August 7, 2025
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Delhi

Actually it's nice place to explore but when it comes to safety it's not good i myself never felt safe but I can't stop myself from going out because this but I always in alert mode when I go out and avoid going out at night because I don't have courage and confident to get out at night just walk around

Posted: August 7, 2025
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Safety in India