Thinking about solo travelling through India as a woman can be an overwhelming thought at first. But with these 15 safety travel tips for solo female travel in India, you will feel so much more confident exploring this beautiful country.
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I think you will agree with me when I say that travelling solo as a female to an unfamiliar country can come with many doubts and fears.
The one question I get asked the most on my social media is, “Is India safe for solo female travellers?”. My answer is always “Yes!”
In my experience, India is one of the safest countries I have ever visited. And I have so many female friends who agree with this.
Having lived in India for almost 2 years, and travelled the country as a solo female traveller, I have put together a list of the 15 most important travel tips to keep you safe throughout your journey.
TRAVEL TIPS FOR SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL IN INDIA
Before I share all of my safety travel tips with you, I want to tell you that India is not as dangerous as it is portrayed to be.
There is a lot of negativity around India’s reputation for being a safe country to travel to. But let me tell you one thing, India is so much safer than many people may believe. Even for female travellers.
When you first arrive in India, it may feel like a culture shock. You may feel overwhelmed by all of the people and the challenges of navigating around the country.
But India is a gem of a country that can reward you in the most unexpected ways. Allowing yourself to be open-minded and open-hearted is the key to experiencing everything that India has to offer you.
With that being said, as a solo female traveller you do need to be cautious and aware of your surroundings. It’s important to be able to read situations and act on them appropriately.
India is a very unique country to travel to. You need to be open to adapting to the ways of life that may be very different to what you are used to.
Applying these 15 travel tips that I adopted on my own journey in India will make your own travel experience feel much safer and smoother. You will have peace of mind knowing that you are always prepared for your solo journey.
1. ALWAYS KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING
This is the number one travel tip that helped me to feel safe everywhere I went in India!
This may sound like an obvious one. But knowing exactly where you are going and how to get there is so important for travelling safely.
India is a massive country. So navigating your way around it can feel daunting if you have not been there before. And as a solo female traveller, we want to make sure we are always on the correct route to our destinations.
You should always know the following details of your trip and keep the information easily accessible in the notes on your phone:
- Name of final destination
- Name and exact location of accommodation
- OR name of the village/town/city you plan to stay in if you have not booked an accommodation in advance
- Contact of accommodation
- The exact route between your current location and final destination
- ALL the necessary names of bus stops, railway stations and airports you will be stopping at or transferring between
- The exact times of when your means of transport is leaving and arriving
- The contact number of a reliable travel agent
Travelling in India can be complicated when you are taking public transport. Sometimes you have to transfer between multiple buses, trains and taxis to reach your destination. But if you have all of this information at hand, you will know where you are going and how to get there at all times.
When you are on trains or buses, have google maps open to tell you when you have arrived at your next stop or destination.
Do not be afraid to ask fellow passengers or drivers when and where your stop is. This is to make double sure you are getting off at the correct location. It is better to ask than to miss your stop!
Knowing where you are going at all times is one of the most important travel tips for keeping safe for solo female travel in India.
2. DO YOUR RESEARCH
India is such a diverse country. It can be really helpful for women travellers to get an idea of the places we are visiting beforehand.
There are so many resources out there these days that share a lot of valuable information to help prepare us for the experience. You can read India travel blogs, reviews, talk to other female travellers in India and research the culture.
Whenever I was visiting a new place in India, I liked to look into a few things before the time:
- Safety of the region/town/village
- The vibe of the place (is it for nature, partying, community etc.)
- The culture (some places in India are more conservative than others)
- What there is to do there
- How accessible are shops and resources that I may need
- How to get around
- Any other helpful tips on the internet for where I am going.
India can be so different from one state to the next. Preparing yourself for the cultural differences can really help you to integrate into the flow of India.
3. GET A LOCAL SIM CARD
I cannot stress this travel tip enough for all women travelling alone in India!
As soon as you land in India, you can get a SIM card from the airport. Or you can purchase one from any mobile provider stores or convenience stores which will be cheaper than the airport.
Most tourists use Airtel because it works well in most regions of India. But you can also use Jio or Vi. SIM cards with data plans are really affordable in India. You can purchase Airtel for about $4 for 1.5GB per day valid for 28 days.
Having a sim card will make getting around, calling a taxi or uber and translating Hindi so much easier. As I mentioned before, it is also helpful to have data for Google Maps on your travel days.
Knowing that you can always get in contact with someone if need be or check something online gives you great peace of mind as a solo female traveller.
4. USE A RELIABLE TRAVEL AGENT
Okay, it is story time!
I was on my way from Rajasthan to the North India. I had to transfer from one bus to another bus at one point in my journey. But I could see that we were very delayed, and I was not going to make it in time.
My stress levels were so high in this moment. I was in a random part of India, I had no idea what to do or where I would stay if I missed this bus.
Thankfully I had an amazing travel agent in Rajasthan who I could contact at any time. He also helped me to reserve my bus tickets for every step of the way.
I told him I was already late for the bus, and I have no idea what to do. There were no other buses on that day to take me to where I needed to be. But somehow, he managed to call the bus and get them to wait for me until I arrived!
This is one of the most amazing aspects of India. Most people are so kind and so understanding that they will go over and beyond to help you.
It is important to know that not all travel agents are reliable or trustworthy. Try to find a travel agent in the area you are visiting who is registered with the Ministry of Tourism.
Travel agents should always give you a detailed itinerary and offer their customer services to you. Make sure you have their contact number on your phone if you ever need to contact them for help.
Whether you need to plan tours, book transportations or need assistance on travel days, having a reliable and trustworthy travel agent will make every solo female traveller in India feel so much more secure.
5. HAVE SOME CASH ON YOU AT ALL TIMES
If you ever find yourself needing to take an extra taxi or tuktuk, or something is a little more expensive than you thought, you do not have to stress about whether or not you can pay for it.
It is a real mission carrying all of your luggage around in search for an ATM if you run out of cash on route to your destination.
As a solo traveller you do not have anyone with you if you get stuck with too little cash. It is better to be prepared for all situations to ensure smooth travels all the way.
6. KEEP YOUR BELONGINGS SAFE
One of the BEST accessories I used on every single travel day in India was a fanny pack. I would even use it whenever I attended events or knew I would be in a more chaotic place.
Keeping your belongings safe is one of the obvious travel tips for solo female travel in India. But sometimes it is so easy to forget something behind in the midst of the chaos that is India.
Your passport, cell phone, bank cards and money are of your most important belongings. Having a safe place to keep them will ensure you will not lose them or leave them behind. A fanny pack is perfect for this.
I could always feel my most important belongings on me at all times. I did not have to worry about them in my bags on public transport. It also made falling asleep on buses and trains much easier knowing I had them safely around my waist.
You also want to keep your luggage close to you on public transport. Going on trains and buses in India can be a very chaotic experience if you do not book higher class seats. Often your seat can be taken by a whole family. Or there is absolutely no space for your luggage under your seat.
Let me reassure you, this is not a scary situation. The people of India are 99% of the time very friendly and willing to help tourists.
You need to be confident in explaining to them, or to the conductor, that this is your seat and you need space to put your luggage nearby you. Every single time this happened to me, I got my own seat that I booked and space for my luggage next to me.
Most places that tourists visit in India are very safe. Your belongings are safe in your accommodations as long as you lock your doors when you are out.
So much of travelling India is knowing how to speak to the locals. Which brings me to my next travel tip…
7. KNOW HOW TO SPEAK AND RELATE TO THE LOCALS
India is a very welcoming nation for all tourists. The people of India are mostly always friendly and willing to help foreigners with anything.
But, India is a very conservative society and the cultural differences may have you feeling uncomfortable in certain situations.
In traditional Indian culture, Indian women are known to stay at home to be of service to the family. They do not even make eye contact with men. There is also a massive difference in the men to women ratio in the population. So, many men fight for the attention of women.
This may have some Indian men taking even the slightest gesture from a Western woman as an invitation or a sign to flirt with you. Understanding the culture, dressing conservatively and not entertaining unsolicited interactions can help to avoid these uncomfortable interactions.
I just want to say that by no means does this apply to all men in India. I befriended many Indian men who have a more modern view of the male/female role in society.
You may find yourself in situations where people are overly friendly and ask you many questions. Indian people love to ask for photos of you holding their babies or to take a selfie with you.
Most of the time these interactions are very innocent. But you are allowed to say “NO” and stand your ground when you are not comfortable with the interaction. I have never said yes to taking a selfie with an Indian man or entertained any talk that I was not comfortable with.
I personally have never felt in danger in any situation in India. But I have had to stand my ground when my boundaries have been crossed.
Just being mindful of how you relate to the locals and how you carry yourself will give you confidence to deal with every situation that may come your way.
8. BE CONFIDENT IN YOUR “NO” – ONE OF MY MOST USED SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL TIPS IN INDIA!
If there is one thing that India taught me, it is to be confident in saying “NO”.
Many people (not just in India) see women travelling alone as a vulnerable target to take advantage of.
One of the most empowering travel tips for solo female travel in India is not feeling bad to voice your “no”.
You will be approached by men, women and children to buy their products, use their services, take selfies, give them money and anything else they have to offer you. Often, your first “no” is not sufficient in turning them away, so you need to be strong in holding your ground.
You might have children coming to ask you for money and find it difficult to turn them down. It is known that these children have “bosses” who force them to beg tourists until they give into them.
This is not always the case, and you are welcome to give to people you feel to help. But if it does not feel right for you, there is no disrespect in saying “No” – not only in your voice but in your body language too.
Many women who travel through India will tell you that India definitely teaches you to stand up for yourself and make your boundaries clear when necessary.
9. BE VIGILENT AT NIGHT TIME
Again, a woman alone at nighttime is a vulnerable target. It is always better to be in a group if you are going out at night and being aware of your surroundings if you find yourself alone.
There are some places in India that I felt completely safe walking to and from dinner after dark and driving back home from late night events. Himachal Pradesh, South Goa and Kerala are some of those places.
When you travel to the more chaotic destinations of India, you need to be more alert and keep your belongings close to you. Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai and Agra are just a few of the tourist destinations to avoid being out alone at night time.
If you are visiting places with a big party culture such as North Goa, it is always good to arrive with friends and leave in a group to ensure everyone gets home safely.
It is also better to not arrive alone at nighttime when you are traveling to an unfamiliar place. Especially the big cities. You can plan your travel times to arrive during the day or at the latest the early evening.
If you have to arrive at nighttime, then make sure you use a reputable taxi service and ask them to wait for you to enter your hotel or hostel safely. There is no shame in asking for help to ensure your safety.
10. STAY IN SAFE PLACES
I once booked an accommodation in Delhi that was definitely not the safest place for tourists to stay, never mind a woman alone.
I was just not knowledgeable enough about the area. But with a little more research I would have known to stay in a much safer area just 10 minutes drive away.
There is an abundance of very safe places and accommodations for women all across India.
Between the tourists in India, there is a culture of just arriving in a new place and taking an hour or 2 to walk around and find the accommodation you want to stay in.
While this is a very common thing to do in India, as a solo female traveller you might feel more comfortable booking your accommodations ahead of time online via sites like Booking.com, HostalWorld.com or MakeMyTrip.
Be sure to always read reviews or get recommendations from other female travelers who have been there before.
When you travel to the tourist areas of India, you will see that tourists mostly stay in close vicinity to one another which creates a very safe atmosphere.
Remember, most Indian hosts are very hospitable, and they want tourists to be happy and feel secure exploring their beautiful country.
11. CONNECT WITH COMMUNITIES
Almost everywhere you go in India, there is a lovely community of people to connect with. I found this very comforting on my solo travels because it makes you feel like you are never truly alone.
You can meet people at events you are interested in, restaurants with a community vibe, sunsets on the beach and through adventure tour groups.
India is known for community, so meeting like-minded people is easy whether you are an introvert or extrovert. Other female travellers are always open to supporting fellow women and welcoming you into their circle.
Having a support system around you makes you feel like you have people to rely on when you need any support or advice.
12. BE ADAPTABLE AND FLEXIBLE – BE WILLING TO LEARN FROM INDIA WITH AN OPEN MIND
Keeping your mind open to the different ways of life and the flow of India will help you to adapt to the inner workings of the country. With every day you spend in India you will learn more and more about the ways of the people and the country itself.
There is no doubt that India can be a challenging country to travel to, but every challenge comes with even more of a reward.
As a solo female traveller, you will find yourself feeling so fulfilled and empowered on your travels when you go with the flow and keep your mind open to the culture. India definitely has the potential to change you and your life forever in the most beautiful ways.
Be adaptable, be flexible with your time and be open to truly understanding the culture.
You will feel so much more resourceful in your emotions during stressful situations, willing to learn from India and appreciate every experience with a fresh perspective when you travel with a good attitude through India.
13. DRESS APPROPRIATELY
One of the most useful travel tips for solo female travel in India that can keep you safe from uncomfortable stares and interactions is dressing appropriately.
You can avoid a lot of unwanted attention and feelings of unsafety when you respect the conservative culture of India.
For your own safety, and in respect to the culture, it is best to cover up in public and on public transport. You can carry a scarf with you to wrap around you and wear longer skirts or dresses in the hotter regions of India.
Wearing loose clothing is also less attention grabbing than tight fitting clothes.
However, there are places in India where showing more skin is more acceptable. Even amongst the younger Indian women. If you see that women are dressing in a more Western way, it is most likely okay for you to do so too.
Places such as Goa are much more relaxed in this sense. You will see many women walking around in bikinis and sarongs. But just know that you will always get stares even if it’s the norm of where you are.
Still, you should use your discernment on whether or not you are comfortable to show more skin. When travelling through India as a woman, covering up is always the better option.
14. TRUST YOUR INSTICTS
As women, we have a powerful intuition that either gives us the feeling of a full “YES” or tells us that something is not right. Listen to this feeling and act on the situation accordingly.
Trusting your instincts in India works for both keeping yourself safe and being open to experiencing the magic of India.
I cannot even tell you how many times trusting my instincts with people saved me from stressful situations, and also gifted me some of my most memorable experiences of India.
If you keep my previous solo female travel tips in mind, having a sense of who you can trust in India and who to simply say “no” will become second nature to you.
15. EMBRACE INDIA! – KEEP YOUR MIND AND HEART OPEN
Lastly, embrace India in all of its unique and wonderful ways!
It may have taken you some time to build up the courage and take the leap to embark on your solo adventure. The last thing you want is to feel like you did not experience the fullness of Incredible India.
The diversity of experiences waiting for you in India can only be had if you keep your heart and your mind open.
As a woman our fears are very valid when travelling alone. Sometimes it is easy to let those fears get in the way of our experiences. While you still need to be cautious and keep these safety travel tips in mind, allowing yourself to embrace India will make your trip even more memorable. There is a reason why this beautiful country has called you to travel its land.
The people, the breathtaking nature, the animals and unique culture will move you in ways you cannot even imagine. You will feel India leaving footprints in your heart forever.
We have covered some of the most useful travel tips for solo female travel across in India. Implementing these travel tips will bring your awareness to every situation and give you confidence for your journey.
I hope that sharing these travel strategies and hearing from my own experiences has helped to put your mind at ease and made you feel excited about exploring one of the most beautiful and rewarding countries on earth.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
is india safe for a solo female traveler?
When you implement these safety travel tips for solo female travel in India, India is a safe travel country for women.
Just like everywhere else in the world, as a woman, you always need to be aware of your surroundings and take extra precaution when travelling alone.
There is never a guarantee of safety when travelling alone as a woman no matter where you are in the world. But the world, including India, is not as dangerous as the media makes it out to be.
There are thousands of women who travel safely to India each year. And it is true that you will attract unwanted attention, stares from men and attitudes towards women that come across as disrespectful and outdated. But being aware of your surroundings, being confident in your “no” and voicing your boundaries confidently will help you to travel confidently through India.
where is the safest place for solo female travelers in india?
Some of the places that I felt the safest in India are Kerala, Goa, Pushkar, states in the Himalayas such as Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
I found that the most uncomfortable interactions happened mostly on public transport, in the bigger cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, and in places that have more of a party culture.
I felt the safest when staying in villages across India, especially in the Himalayas. One thing that helped me to feel safe when choosing where to stay in India, was staying at homestays with an Indian family.
Staying with a family will help you to feel more settled in an unfamiliar place. You can always ask them for help or guidance around the area you are visiting.
Some of the more specific places to travel to as a solo female traveler are Munnar, Vattakanal, Hampi, Allepey Backwaters, South Goa, Udaipur, Pushkar, Rishikesh, Leh, Dharamshala, Vashisht, Sikkim and Kashmir.
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