This post was originally published on July 28, 2014, and updated on September 6, 2017.
Chaotic and bamboozling, travelling in India can be confronting, even for the experienced traveller. The reality for solo female travellers is it can be even more challenging, but don’t let that put you off exploring incredible India.
This amazing country is so full of colour, fascinating people, religious icons, ancient sites, fabulous street food, sacred cows, and diverse landscapes; it’s everything and more, and all at once.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for a wonderful trip-of-a-lifetime in India:
1. Handling the stares
As a female in India, you’ll enjoy your time much more if you come to terms with the fact that people will stare at you. This can certainly be confronting, but once you realise it’s a cultural difference, you’ll become more accustomed to it and it (hopefully) won’t get to you as much. Ways to avoid unwanted male attention include dressing conservatively and avoiding eye contact (wearing sunglasses during the day can help with this), as this can be considered flirtatious.
2. Staying safe on local transport
Image C/O Mirae Campbell.
Female travellers are rarely the target of violent crime in India, however, like anywhere, you need to keep your wits about you. Some tips to help you stay safe on local transport:
- When travelling by overnight train, choose an upper berth for more privacy
- Avoid eye contact and chit-chat with unknown men: both can be misinterpreted
- Try to book seats near the front of long-distance buses
- Sit next to other women when possible; many trains in India have a women-only carriage
Avoid hailing rickshaws or taxis on the street. Instead, get your hotel to book one for you, and sit directly behind the driver. If you have a backpack, keep it in the backseat with you, rather than putting it in the boot. In Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, there are quite a few taxi companies with women drivers, which are a great, safe option for female travellers.
READ MORE: SAFETY ADVICE FOR FEMALE TRAVELLERS IN INDIA
3. The crowds
Stepping onto the streets of India, one of the things that will hit you immediately is the crowds – literally. There are over 1.3 billion people in India. The extreme numbers of people can come as a shock, especially when you’re travelling solo. If the crowds become too much in the major cities, consider heading south to the waters of Kerala or up north to the chilled out hill stations of Leh or Ladakh to give yourself a break.
4. Hygiene
While hygiene standards in India have risen considerably in recent years, they are still often below what we are used to in the western world. Avoid buying food from street stalls that has been sitting around for hours or hasn’t been cooked in front of you and opt for shops and restaurants that are busy and appear to have higher hygiene standards. Use hand sanitiser throughout the day and carry your own supply of toilet paper and sanitary products. While you should always make sure you drink treated or bottled water, there’s been a rise in vendors selling bottled tap water (a telltale sign is an unsealed lid, worn labelling and often sediment in the bottle). If you don’t want to take the risk, consider drinking sparkling water instead – you can’t fake the fizz!
Image C/O Mirae Campbell.
5. The poverty
With an increasing number of people living below the poverty line, the divide between the very poor and the very rich is extreme. Slums are home to many and you will see beggars of all ages, particularly children. While it is heartbreaking, giving them money can add to the problem, as many of the children are being exploited by bosses who make them beg. IF you’d like to help, consider donating through a reputable charity instead.
READ MORE: THE 5 MOST COMMON FEARS ABOUT TRAVELLING IN INDIA
6. See the fun side
Finally, have fun and enjoy your time . Remain lighthearted and know that an easygoing attitude will get you further in a place where nothing runs to time. Stay safe and take precautions, but be open to delays, changes of plan and adventure.
For many, India is one of the most rewarding travel destinations. With preparation and an open mind, the beauty, profound spirituality and mesmerising chaos of India ensures it will be one of the most unforgettable travel experiences you will ever have!
Want to travel to India? Check out our small group adventures.
Feature image C/O Lucy Piper, Intrepid Travel.
34 comments
Hey, I am so glad to read your thoughts because I really enjoyed reading this. The way you explain your travel experience is truly awesome.
Great post. Your article will definitely guide the solo female travellers from other countries who are visiting India.
Thanks for this great article.
This is the first time that i am travelling alone. It is very tough for me or i should say that i have so much fear to travel alone. The article is really helpful too for me and i hope that i will travel overcoming all my fears. I already planned where to travel and the complete schedule, just have to book the tickets.
Really a great post!!! It’s great to go for a solo trip.It makes you know more about yourself. But you have to be very careful while going for a solo trip especially if you are a woman. The world is not safe for women. You have to be extra careful.These tips will surely be helpful while going for a solo trip.
Solo visiting is safe in India. You should wear full clothes in during the trip, Because India have very conservative think related to women clothes.
The single female is difficult to travel to in India, The tips you have given are really useful. Nice to read your blog. Thanks for sharing this so interesting post! I really want to be thankful for the way you have put it here.
Thanks for sharing this so interesting post! I really want to be thankful for the way you have put it here.
To all you brave ladies…well done. Travel in India must be a total culture shock…but the memories will last you a lifetime.
I hope all those memories are good and any (natural) worries/concerns you had were unfounded.
Safe travels and best wishes to you all…
Alan
I couldn’t agree more with the stares! I hate them! And as a couple, probably the wrong place to write this, is not picking up a fight with people who stare and just ignore.
Travelled tons of times with my girlfriend to India and got into too many of the hot blooded spats. Realise now, I just wasted my energy.
I am an Indian but seeing my brothers do this even inside gurdwaras is just appalling !
Great post! Glad to see here your valuable words for solo female travellers. India is a great place for solo female travellers. Here is some Safety tips for women traveling in India
Thanks for sharing this guide.
Thanks Srimanta, also good tips!
Fantastic place. One simple tip for lone female travelers to stop any problems before they begin – wear a wedding ring.
This instantly communicates that you are not available and thus prevents many unwanted advances without causing offence or requiring verbal clarification.
I traveled to India this past September -October, with my adult daughter. We combined an Intrepid tour of Rajasthan with independent travel to Goa. What a fantastic time, great group, great guide. Very responsive to our needs and questions, and never a “hurry up and wait” moment. Everything ran like clockwork. I had one health issue, and Intrepid was all over it.
We got used to the staring quickly, and decided to be gratious with photo requests. It ended up being a lot of fun, since I decided to take pictures of the requesters! It turned an awkward moment into one of smiles and laughter, and some great memories! I I only felt unsafe once, at an evening at a beach shack in Baga, where there was a group of some rough looking guys partying it up. The owner of the restaurant came over, joined my daughter and I at our table, then had one of his staff escort us back to our hotel!
A suggestion to travellers booking trips with this company to ask what their duty of care is to you if things go wrong.Do this before you leave.You might be surprised. When things go wrong in places like India you do not want to be left on your own so single female travellers be extra cautious
I’ve been to India 7 times, every time as a lone female but always for work or on a group trip and love it. Think how you dress, consider buying a salwar kameez if you’re going to be round for a while and wear sunglasses – that way you can watch the world go by without risking people catching your eye. Go with the flow, barter – especially tuktuks but make it clear that you are not gullible – be prepared to say no quite strongly. Above all, enjoy! Its one of the most fascinating places in the world and with simple precautions you shouldn’t have to spend all your time worrying (to Lisa C – I have taken many taxis alone and been fine – just get your hotel to get you one or use the prepaid taxis at the airport).
Great advice – thanks Lindsay!
If you’re taking a cab…don’t let them put your pack in the trunk. I had one cabbie try and extort money out of me to get my bag back. Pay the driver once your are standing safely out of vehicle. I, too, had to fight with a guy to let me out and take me to destination. It started with, “Have coffee with me.’ And escalated from there. Ask your hotel to help you order a cab…they may know a reputable fella that will get you where you need to go. It also helps to take a fake phone call from your cell expressing that you are ‘on your way…and I’ll see you at the airport’ so that the cabbie thinks someone is anticipating your arrival.
Thanks for the input, Carla.
I’ve taken 3 trips to India. The first 2 with Intrepid the 3rd alone with my adult daughter. We traveled throughout Kerala and Tamil Nadu arranging for cars between destinations and we had no trouble at all. Men were driving us in somewhat remote areas and they were perfectly respectful as were women. All were friendly and helpful. We had such a wonderful time we are going to do it again. The photo requests are charming and the most problem we had was a monkey trying to pull off my skirt. We dressed respectfully, ate with the locals, walked in remote areas. We really had a WONDERFUL time.
Amazing! India’s a pretty special, place, huh? So pleased you’ve fallen in love with it. Here’s to many more wonderful times to come. Cheers!
Lucy, surely Intrepid use reputable taxis drivers…….don’t let fear ruin an amazing experience! It is very different in India, just keep your wits about you, I’m sure you’ll be ok!
I travelled last October, 2014, on a Wendy Wu tour of Rajasthan. It has been the most amazing trip in my life! Yes I was stared at , often and millions of photos taken of me but I got used to it! I never felt threatened but I am not nieve to think it’s safe! Just be careful! I can’t wait to get back to India! Just use common sense in health and safety and you should be ok!
So glad you liked Rajasthan. Feel free to get in touch if you think we can assist with any of your upcoming travel plans – we’d be happy to help! Cheers.
I wouldnt be worried about taking a cab from hotel to airport. Organise it with your hotel and that way you can feel more sure that it is a reliable driver. I had no trouble at all travelling alone in India. Indian drivers are really skilled and take pride in their job, good luck and have fun!
I will also be travelling alone and have to get in a taxi from the airport to hotel and back. These will be booked through Intrepid so I am hoping that they will be reputable cab companies or I am also worried about this now :-/
Thanks for the valuable information -I have to visit there in coming months,Will definitely follow your tips for betterment
My first trip to India, I used Intrepid to get over the strangeness of travelling alone; although we were a disparate group, our group leader managed to keep us together without major fall outs; there were two particularly trying adults, who though in their seventies, were more like misbehaving children, but we all managed to get on with each other, without too much compromise; I did on the odd day, spend my time being more silent than on others; as I do believe it is good to have quiet time, even when on a journey. As for travelling alone, the staff from Intrepid made our holiday that much more enjoyable, as they took the stress out of making travel arrangements. The only complaint I had was that the trip was too packed with activity; I intend travelling to India and the next time, I will do it on my own, as the strangeness of the country has definitely worn off, & i feel confident with the contacts I have managed to make on the first trip. If you are careful about how & where you travel, the media hype about rape etc is just that; I have not felt threatened or alone, even if I had been on my own.
i faced the problem of starring often at sightseeing places and ppl tried to talk to me (the famous question “can i take a photo fo you?”) .. so sometimes it can be really stressful (especially when your on sightseeing all day)
and don’t travel too cheap. safety first! it is better to spend some more money than staying at the cheapest hostel …
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Don’t wear figure hugging or thin clothes that show underwear or have loose/plunging necklines that show if you bend over (or shorts). See what the other women wear locally and dress to cover to a similar standard. Wearing a veil/scarf can reduce attention also.
Don’t put yourself in a compromising situation. Stay in the company of women rather than men.
I agree with everything said! I travelled to India to visit friends and spent quite a bit of time alone.
The staring was very hard to adjust to at first. I got a taste of how famous people must feel! You do get used to it and I was asked to be in many pictures. In fact, after a while if I wasn’t asked to be in a picture I got a bit put out!
India is an assault on the senses – you are constantly bombarded with fascinating smells, noises, colors and sights. Just go knowing it’s nothing like home (why would you go otherwise?) and enjoy. It’s by far my favourite trip ever!
I’d add to #2 not to take a cab, especially to or through a remote area, without a companion, and some kind of protection. My father relates a story of a woman he met while travelling who took a cab from one city to another. The driver stopped every 10 to 15 minutes in more remote areas to attempt to rape her. While she was able to fight him off, it was terrifying for her. She tried to report the attempted assaults, and was met with shrugs by the authorities.
I am traveling to India alone, and will have two cab journeys alone from hotel to airport. Worried about travelling alone now.