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 172 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4/5

Food

4.3/5

Budget-friendly

3.8/5
Albariña

Albariña

Spain

Varanasi, Solo travel

I felt really safe. Just making friends is fine, but some Indian men know that Western women don't have issues with physical touching, and sometimes they take advantage of this cultural difference. Anyways, just chill and walk around the city—it's awesome.

Posted: September 29, 2025Experienced: August, 2025
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Simin

Simin

Iran

India, Couple travel

We stayed in 5 star hotels which were above expectations! They were amazing, specially Leela ambiance in Delhi. We used uber for getting around, also subway and rikshas were amazing. Food in general was good, specially some restaurants in Muslim areas where they served meat. It was safe, except for driving! It felt like we're gonna crash every minute. I don't recommend going to famous souvenir shop, but old Bazar is a good place to buy souvenir. We stayed one week in total, 3 days in Delhi, 2 days Agra and 2 days Jaipur and I believe it was so little for such an amazing country

Posted: September 21, 2025Experienced: March, 2024
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Nagwa

Nagwa

India

Varkala, Solo travel

Varkala is a beach town, close to many other towns like Aleppy, Kochi, Trivandrum. Quiet, peaceful and tranquil, I’d recommend it for anyone travelling solo in India for the first time. I stayed in hostels and went at the beginning of the season. So surf, accommodation and pricing was still relatively on the lower end. Definitely look up Barefoot Hostels there for the coziest, friendliest stay that is super clean and pocket-friendly!

Posted: September 1, 2025
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Coonoor, Family travel

it's a beautiful area in the Nilgiri mountains in tamil nadu. I was there for 2-3 days and the temperature was around 15°c in the morning. It's a scenic town and can be reached via car or train. Do visit cherry berry there!

Posted: August 27, 2025Experienced: April, 2025
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Yashaswini

Yashaswini

India

Kota, Group travel

There are a lot of interesting places to go to and fun things to do and many great restaurants and cafes, also the malls are good too with fun vibes. The majority of the crowd is students but it still didn't feel safe because of the way people would stare at girls. I also heard incidents that happened while I was still there and it was about minor girls getting kidnapped and r**ed while they were going to their coaching classes. Basically never going there again.

Posted: August 23, 2025Experienced: November, 2019
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Is India safe for women?

Safety index

3.9 /5

Based on 495 local experiences

Crime index

2.6 /5

Based on 495 local experiences

Harsha

Harsha

Palakkad

Its a beautiful town in Kerala, surrounded by hills and greenery. Nature is bliss here, people are humble and welcoming. Hills, Dams, temples and lot of cultural activities make this place worthwhile.

Posted: October 6, 2025
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Safety in India