Is India Worth Visiting Solo?

India, a vibrant country located in South Asia, is known for its rich culture, diverse traditions, and historical significance. The seventh-largest country in the world, bordered by the Himalayan ranges in the north, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal to its west and east respectively, it is renowned for its stunning landscapes and biodiverse nature. India boasts numerous iconic landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, Jaipur's enchanting Pink City, the spiritual hub Varanasi, and the pristine beaches of Goa. Additionally, it offers a gastronomic adventure with its array of regional dishes and street food. Moreover, its festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Eid bring together its melting pot of religions and cultures in vibrant and colorful displays.

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Travel experiences

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 33 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.9/5

Safety

3.7/5

Food

4.7/5

Budget-friendly

4.4/5

Solo travel experience

India is a beautiful country, with a lot of things to see and do. It is not necessarily super safe everytime, but as always you just need to be careful as a solo woman traveller. I would recommend going with some friend if you don't already some people there.

Posted: January 27, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 3/5
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Solo travel experience

I embarked on a solo, two-month journey to India and it was amazing. I was very worried because of all the bad things I had read about this place on the internet, but honestly, I rate this really positively and I had no problems. I visited Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Mumbai, Bangalore, Palolem, Hampi, Agonda, Kochi, and Alleppey.

Posted: December 26, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

I spent approximately six months traveling solo in India. Generally speaking, I felt safe, but the constant harassment from men significantly lowered my enjoyment of the trip. Not all were bad; many of them were really nice, wanted to communicate and help. Nonetheless, I cannot deny that it was exhausting when I could not sit down anywhere and rest without drawing someone's attention. Having situations where, after a brief conversation, they started asking very intimate questions, evidently trying to determine whether I would go to bed with them. I advise every woman traveling to India to get a necklace like those worn by married women there, and pretend to be married. Very often one of the first questions they asked me was about my marital status, so I advise saying that you have a husband, not a boyfriend, since in their culture a boyfriend means nothing and is not an obstacle. To not be completely negative, I also met many truly great people there and still keep in contact with some of them. Indians can be very hospitable and many of them try to show their country in the best light possible. As for places, I recommend Dharamshala, where there are many white tourists and more Tibetans than Indians (the Dalai Lama lives there), so I felt more at ease there. I also recommend Kerala, full of greenery and much cleaner than other regions.

Posted: December 11, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 3/5
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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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Solo travel experience

I was there for 15 days and spent less than a thousand dollars, including food, hotels, and internal transport. India is a country where, unfortunately, there is a lot of sexism and harassment of women. Often, when you walk anywhere, people look at you in a very uncomfortable way. When you visit temples, many times they follow you "for a picture" or just to flirt. But despite this, it's a great 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 poses a challenge for a woman travelling alone, but it's not impossible. I started from New Delhi - I didn't stay in a hotel in this city, as I had a contact with a local lady, where I could stay and who showed me the city from the inside. Then, I took a train to Varanasi, the spiritual city of India, where many bodies are cremated every day, and their ashes are scattered in the Ganges River, it is a religious belief and worthy of respect. After that, I took a bus to Agra, where the famous Taj Mahal and many other attractions are located. Then I took a train to Jaipur - known as the "pink" city, with beautiful temples and colorful palaces. After that, I flew to Amritsar - where I visited the famous Golden Temple and the border with Pakistan. I usually traveled by train, buying first-class tickets in advance, used my debit card in ATMs without any problems, ate at markets, but one needs to be careful because it's easy to get sick, as the food is very spicy or unhygienic. Upon arriving to the city, I would hire a tuk-tuk or auto-rickshaw, which serve as "taxis" and will take you everywhere. Agree on the price first, as scams are common. Generally speaking, it is a very beautiful country with friendly people. They will look at you and ask for photos, especially if you are blonde. The language is Hindi, but some people speak English and Spanish. I didn't have many problems with communication. In the end, it is 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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Solo travel experience

I undertook a solo trip across India and never felt unsafe there. India is a wonderful country full of amazing people. It's worth maintaining the usual precautions as with any trip. I recommend avoiding big cities such as Delhi or Mumbai.

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

I spent 2 months alone in India, travelling from the south to the north-west coast. I observed basic safety rules during the journey, respected cultural customs and felt safe. If I saw many women on the streets after dark, I would allow myself later returns (like in Mumbai). If I saw only men or empty streets, I made sure to check into the hotel before dusk. I often stayed in hostels, in mixed-gender dormitory rooms, with a mix of Indian residents and European travellers - 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 alone in India for almost 3 months. A lot of stares and annoying men, but nothing terrible. I was very careful about staying out 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 across India for a month. People often think that India is not safe for women, but I had amazing experiences. People whom I didn't know were incredibly nice to me. If you get the opportunity, don't be afraid to visit India!

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

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

Posted: June 27, 2022
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Avoid traveling around the city at night. Don't expose your skin. Wear loose and modest clothes that cover your entire body. Don't go to deserted areas. Don't wear anything that shows cleavage. Drink bottled water. Take probiotics. Use the train for traveling. Use sleeper class or higher when traveling. Avoid the general class on the train. Always share photos of the driver and the license plate with others if you are traveling by taxi or Uber. Don't get too close with men, don't be self-complacent.

Posted: June 11, 2022
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Jaya

Jaya

About Me

Hi I'm Jaya .Single parent to my 19 year old daughter .I'm an educator with a training in Psychology . We love taking mother daughter bonding trips .

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Pooja

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I love to meet new friends and travel with them.

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Pooja

Bareilly

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Nidhi

Mumbai

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Judit

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Hey :-) I'm open, easy-going and curious. I like old things in general, nature, good food, being in the sun, walking around. Here to connect with people!

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