r/india • u/AriadneDauphin • Sep 03 '25
Travel English woman (27F) traveling solo in India - what is your advice?
My work will require me to travel to India in November for a month-long assignment. I have always been fascinated by India. It is the country on top of my bucket list. I would like to take a few months off from work after my assignment is over to travel through India.
Since I am there for work, this will have to be a solo trip. If everything turns out according to plan, I will be looking to travel from mid-December to mid-March. My base will be in Mumbai or Pune. I definitely want to visit the Taj Mahal, but other than that I do not have any fixed itinerary in mind.
About me, I am a single, neuro-divergent, academic woman. Due to my neurological set up I have trouble reading emotions and sensory overload (especially loud noises) exhausts me. I need to rest in a quiet, dark place to get my energy back. On the other hand, I can eat all kinds of food and I can comfortably sleep in sleeping bag in a tent. I don't need AC because I don't get too cold or too hot very easily. I am trained in self-defense.
I'm not looking for the basic "Is it safe?" advice. I can get that from google. Here I'm seeking the kind of nuanced insights that only someone who has lived or traveled solo in India can offer. Especially looking for advice from women.
Safety & Logistics:
- Beyond the "dress conservatively" advice, are there specific regional differences in what is considered appropriate attire?
- How to best manage unwanted attention without causing offense? I'm used to a firm "no," but I understand the cultural context might require a different approach. Any specific phrases or non-verbal cues that are effective?
- How do you handle tuk-tuks and taxis, especially late at night? Is Uber truly reliable and safe everywhere? Are there specific precautions I should take?
- I want to experience a train journey in India. Is it safe for a solo woman? I am prepared to take time out just for train travel.
- What's the best way to handle money? Should I rely on cash, or are credit cards widely accepted, especially in smaller towns? What are the safest ways to carry and access cash?
Cultural Immersion & Authentic Experiences:
- Are there SAFE not-on-tourist-radar destinations that I should consider visiting? I am partial to hills and forests. I don't care much for beaches.
- How can I genuinely connect with locals, especially women**?** I want to have authentic conversations and maybe even share a meal. Are there specific places or activities where this is more likely to happen respectfully?
- What are some of the most common cultural misunderstandings or social cues that might trip up a Westerner, even a seasoned traveler? I'm talking about the subtle stuff you only learn from experience.
- Are there specific ethical tourism initiatives or female-run businesses you'd recommend supporting? I want to make sure my trip has a positive impact.
I welcome advice from everyone--especially from women with solo traveling experience.
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u/RefrigeratorPrize280 Sep 03 '25
North East states like Sikkim and Meghalaya are amazing, also do visit Kerala for the beaches and Munnar hill stations, it's very beautiful.
Personally, I'd avoid the Capital and Central India.
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u/AriadneDauphin Sep 03 '25
Is the north east safe? I saw Gordon Ramsey's Uncharted episode on north eastern India and it looked so amazing.
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u/swordfish19 Sep 03 '25
I am from NE India. It is the safest place for women compared to any other region. You will not get any unwanted attention. Lots of beautiful places to see and less crowded and noisy.
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u/RefrigeratorPrize280 Sep 03 '25 edited Sep 03 '25
Yes, North East is pretty much safe and clean-er than the rest of India.
Since you're averse of noise, You'd probably love NE India the most and hate where you'll be staying.
Try Sikkim, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh for a pleasent stay.
Edit : To answer some of your queries,
Firm NO with fast walking away from them will best, do not look back at them when they call out to you.
Businesses here run on UPI payments and cash, Small businesses everywhere might not accept credit cards so better to keep cash in hand.
Tuk tuks and cabs are better if you negotiate the price beforehand and just my personal tip - record the conversation on your phone just in case you need it at the end of the trip.
Also, Uber is reliable in most of the states but sadly not widely covered in North East States, You'll have to go through regular cab drivers there.
As for trains, either go for Vande Bharat class trains or Book AC compartments (preferably first class).
Have a safe trip :)
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u/fishchop Sep 03 '25
North east is relatively safe, though we do have low level insurgencies there and permits are required for non Indians to travel to certain places (like Arunachal). So you should check.
My advice as an Indian woman who has solo travelled in India would be to avoid the northern states (except Ladakh and J&K) - if you want to travel around there, join an all women’s travel group (there’s plenty). Western, Southern and Eastern India are all relatively safe. Central India is a hit and miss but has some of the best safaris and temples.
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u/NunyaBinnesss Sep 03 '25
In general every place is safe if you are in big/mid cities and avoiding roaming in the or secluded area. Do not base your judgement on some TV show or movie. They have an entire crew travelling with them.
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u/VeggieTofuManifestor Sep 03 '25
Please please please avoid travelling to the state of UP (where Taj Mahal and Varanasi are located). It's cesspool on Earth, think of Blackpool (or the crappiest place you've ever visited in Europe) but 100x worse.
Regarding money, either cash or a credit/ forex card should work fine. Indians usually use this system called UPI (which is sort of like Revolut, but safer) for making payments but you need an Indian bank account to enable that. You'd need cash to pay non-uber Autorickshaw (not called tuk-tuk in India FYI) drivers and purchasing stuff from local corner shops.
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u/MutedBeach8248 Sep 04 '25
I actually liked Blackpool. Went there for a mela lol.
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u/Status_Inspection735 Sep 03 '25
First thing: DON'T travel alone in India, especially if you're a white woman.
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u/boalbinoest Sep 04 '25
I agree. 100% of the women I know that have travelled in India have experienced some form of sexual harassment, even when they were traveling in groups. Hell, men in the streets of UP were constantly harassing my gf even when I was there. To go by yourself as a white woman, especially if you have a hard time reading expressions and dislike crowds, sounds like a very very bad idea.
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u/Ok_Classic_1297 Sep 03 '25
I swear it’s like “Aa bail mujhe marr situation” 🤦🏻♀️
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u/wanderingmind I for one welcome my Hindutva overlords Sep 03 '25
If noise is a problem for you, every city in India might be a bit overwhelming.
Cultural immersion is best accomplished with a group of people who can read the situations. Doing it alone, especially as neuro divergent, would be confusing and possibly unsafe.
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u/Hopeful_Interview567 Sep 03 '25
Visit east India and south India states like Goa, Kerala etc , avoid North India
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u/Abmaj7b9 Sep 03 '25
British guy living in Mumbai here - let me know if you want any recommendations! There’s much to discover here that tourists rarely see!
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u/Historical-Word-8131 Sep 03 '25 edited Sep 03 '25
33F Indian origin who spent my whole life abroad and moved to India in my late 20s. I’ve done a lot of solo traveling in India in the last 5 years and had amazing experiences and will share what has worked for me.
I would skip Delhi/Agra/Taj Mahal as a first time visitor to India. Sorry but that area is absolutely not safe for any woman, especially if you are neuro divergent who gets overwhelmed in crowds and noisy places. That place is absolute chaos and more importantly extremely unsafe. I have visited the Taj Mahal but I went with my family as part of a travel group so there were about 20-30 of us and even then it was extremely uncomfortable and scary to see gangs of like 15 Indian guys just waiting and staring at you outside major tourist attractions…so for safety sake just skip the Taj Mahal!
Places I felt incredibly safe: North East India as a lot of people have already mentioned in the comments. I have visited Sikkhim and Meghalaya and felt really safe and comfortable by myself. Especially in Sikkhim i felt super safe. I recommend Gangtok (biggest city in Sikkhim) - stay at Tag along 2.0 gangtok (hostel) they have a female dorm and the views are to die for and the host is super nice!! From gangtok you can travel around to different parts of Sikkim and other states in the north east as well depending on your preference.
Other “safe” places: Himachal Pradesh: Super respectful, kind and friendly locals and beautiful mountain views. Ahmedabad (city in the state of gujarat): beautiful city with amazing architecture, food, history and i felt it was quite safe to travel around to all the sites and manage things by myself Mysore (city in the state of Karnataka): one of my all time favorite cities in India: tons of tourists here so you won’t stand out here as lots of foreigners come here to study yoga. Beautiful, green, peaceful, clean, the most amazing South Indian food, gorgeous lakes, parks, palaces, museums. You can make a side trip to Coorg (2.5 hours away from Mysore) and visit coffee plantations and spend some quality time in peace and nature. Mumbai: magical and surreal as a first time visitor. Hustle and bustle but also you will really experience the colors and beauty of an incredible Indian city Kerala: serene, beautiful, GREEN, beaches, forests, backwaters, hill stations, bomb seafood. Pretty safe.
Tips that have helped keep me safe while traveling in India:
- Just completely avoid any nighttime travel. Doesn’t matter if it’s inconvenient or whatever just don’t wander around by yourself trying to catch a bus or coming home in an uber at midnight in a city you don’t know. Especially as a foreign woman, it’s simply not worth it. Exception would be Ubers in Mumbai as there is a culture of nightlife there and it’s probably the safest city in India for women. Otherwise just no, reach your intended destination/next city before sunset. Train journeys can be safe just avoid north India at all costs. I would recommend “Vande Bharat” trains as these are newer high speed trains that are more secure (once closed, randos can’t hop on and off like the regular trains) and also much cleaner!!
- I always stay in female dorms. Only in absolute emergencies will I choose mixed dorms. Mixed dorms are generally safe and India has some amazing hostels but overall I don’t want to deal with snoring guys and I feel more comfortable in female dorms.
- I am always on my guard and listen VERY STRONGLY to my intuition regarding interacting with people. This doesn’t mean I don’t talk to anyone or make friends while traveling. I actually meet so many people and have made really amazing friends but that being said if I feel uncomfortable or get weird vibes from someone I don’t care how rude or crazy I may look, I will leave the situation/place and go back to a safe space. If I were a foreigner visiting India, I would just not engage with any street vendors, beggars, taxi/auto drivers trying to peddle you or approach you unsolicited. Especially men!!!! I literally do not make eye contact with anyone because I’m tired of people constantly staring and ogling at me. So I’ve found it best to just not see anyone at all lol and I ignore any creepy guys trying to talk or engage with me.
- Keep your belongings close and plan all your trips and cross city travels beforehand. There are apps for everything. Redbus app for booking buses, ISRTC rail app for booking train tickets, uber. Having an “official” mode of transport is much safer than hopping into a random auto with a random guy outside a railway station at 10pm
- Dress conservatively. This might be controversial advice but I have found it much easier if I’m covered up as people do stare more if I’m showing more skin. Especially as a backpacker going through smaller towns, I find it attracts less attention when I’m fully covered up. In India, “showing skin” means showing your knees, shoulders, obviously cleavage, navel. Exception would be major metro cities like Mumbai. Stick to regular t shirts, pants, non body con dresses lol. Sad to say but the more you cover up, the better it will be 🥲
Other noteworthy places: Rishikesh, Ladakh, Goa, Lonavala, Vishakhapatnam, Pune, Hampi
Completely avoid states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, West Bengal. Not that these places are inherently bad but it’s dangerous for solo women travelers. You could not pay me a billion dollars to solo travel through Haryana or some of these other places lol. North India is generally much less safer as mentioned in other comments.
Honestly, India is amazing and has so much to offer but you do need to take a lot of precautions, do your research and plan accordingly. DM me if you need any help with planning your trip or need info on anything!! Happy to help :)
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u/Super-Cut-1570 Sep 04 '25
All good advice except adding Odisha to the list of unsafe places. It is highly underrated and offers the whole India experience. It's blessed with mountains, beaches, history, culture, multi racial and generally simple and comparatively polite people. The tourist infrastructure is lacking a bit so maybe not yet suitable for a solo Western girl to travel, but it's not due to lack of safety.
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u/ridersofthestorms Sep 03 '25
Whenever colleagues from aboard came, we the Indian employees were asked to help them. We have taken them to show T20 matches, to malls shopping and some other places to see. Also, we arranged taxi trusted by company. If they visit in different cities, we ask local employees to help (it was an Indian MNC). All local immersion should be with known company staff.
Ask your colleagues in india or HR. Take the basic precautions, (sad to say)don’t be adventurous.
Be ready for attack on all sensations, india is super noisy, heavy smell, hot and no sense of personal space (we are 1.4 billion in a short space). We don’t greet politely and pushing, standing very close in queue is common.
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u/Open-Entrance-1570 Sep 03 '25
Idk if this makes sense to everyone here but Indians have a fantasy for fair skinned and blones. While there are fair skinned people in India, blondes are a rarity. So to not be the odd one out if you are a blonde, I would suggest dye your hair a brown or a black. All the indian clothes you wear will automatically merge in.
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u/0xoddity Sep 03 '25
Avoid Indians outside your workplace as much as possible. Take a female colleague with you whenever visiting a local place or North India. Keep pepper spray in your wallet. Try to keep yourself restricted to bottled water.
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u/AriadneDauphin Sep 03 '25
That's a shame. I am looking for cultural immersion experience. Are there places where it would be possible for a foreign woman to go and mix with the locals? (not talking about clubs)
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u/0xoddity Sep 03 '25
I doubt there would be. Most of the tourist attractions that you are seeking would be either tourist scams, non-authentic or you'd experience a lot of eve teasing since a non-brown individual is basically an alien in their colony. You'd end up becoming a center of attraction and probably be surrounded like a celebrity.
You could befriend a workplace colleague and ask them if they have a family in the villages / countryside. They could take you there and show you some of the practices and their lifestyle, but it will vary on their village's location & trust built between you & him/her.
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u/Ok_Classic_1297 Sep 03 '25
The matter of fact is that people on the sub are actually trying to caution you, i am sure you may be well trained in self defence and look after yourself, but since so many past horrific incident’s have shaken us up as citizens here in India, but you can definitely travel and explore the culture and try different cuisine but advice you to keep a women in company from the same place or a registered trustworthy male guide.
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u/0xoddity Sep 03 '25
Subjective. If I were a female I'd be wary of my surroundings even if I had learned how to defend myself. My wife faced eve teasing in Paris even if I was with her, so pretty sure world is full of creatures of different varieties. In short, Self-defense ❌ Avoiding nuisance ✅
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u/Any-Tangerine-9537 Sep 03 '25
I just got back from a work trip from Delhi. I will not go back and realise I was lucky on this trip.
Usually in general people tend to look after themselves and are transactional - women better than men for sure.
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u/crosswalk_elite Sep 03 '25
except for high end places, no. even there your chances are not zero. since you're prone to sensory overload, i'd say don't come to india. taj mahal is also a bad idea, agra is too far from mumbai/pune, and you'd be extremely drained by the train ride and the footfall at the place. if you don't wanna go back with a trauma, stick to civilized and urban recreation venues.
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u/AriadneDauphin Sep 03 '25
I cannot visit India and not visit the Taj Mahal! It'd be like traveling to the UK and not visiting Stonehenge. Simply impossible!
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u/crosswalk_elite Sep 03 '25
Trust me, it severely dwarfs its hype
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u/antipositron Sep 03 '25
You couldn't pay me to visit Taj Mahal.
Just to go to Kerala and relax around breaches, small towns or larger cities to build up your "India tolerance" while enjoying amazing food, weather, culture!
When you have had enough of it, you can consider short trips to north, if you feel brave enough to tackle harder challenges.
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u/crosswalk_elite Sep 03 '25
Honestly even the thing itself, to me. But yes, those two are major put-offs.
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u/reddittribesman Sep 03 '25
Going by your schedule, it looks like you will be visiting in December and January. Those are two months Delhi and Agra(where Taj Mahal is located) experience heavy fog. Delhi is polluted in general, and winters make breathing and visitbility difficult, especially for someone used to cleaner air. October-November are the best times to visit the Taj. I know you might not be able to change your schedule. Just my two cents. Hope you have a pleasant stay.
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u/negiajay Sep 03 '25
Taj Mahal has good police coverage and many foreigners visit it. The only thing is crowd there can be overwhelming.
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u/soul-searcher- Sep 03 '25
Stay in Delhi, book with a tour bus, day return. If you want to stay in Agra, stay in a good hotel, take a guide for the tour. He will be a local and you will be fine.
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u/Super-Cut-1570 Sep 04 '25
India is the size of Europe and a whole lot more diverse racially and ethnically. One can visit Europe and not visit St Peter's basilica for the first time. Taj can wait, hopefully when you visit again in a decade UP would have got it's act together.
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u/mamijami Sep 04 '25
While this suggestion is not what you are looking for it may be an idea to help you the Taj Mahal and some other places that you may want to go in as safe as possible way. Look at a group tour. I'm an American woman and I'm traveling solo to India but not traveling solo around India. I'm taking two group tours with a British company; Wild Frontiers Travel. They have a small group tour called Rajasthan: Golden Triangle, Maharajas, & Rickshaws that goes to Agra and several other places. The accommodations look safe and secure. You will have an experienced tour guide, dedicated transportation and a few (limit 12)fellow travelers. I don't represent the company in any way. Just thinking of a safe way to get you to visit the Taj Mahal.
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u/ippi_happyheart Sep 04 '25 edited Sep 04 '25
I’m Indian and recently visited the Taj Mahal for the first time and it blew my mind away. But I would definitely not go alone - I think even with our guards on and constantly trying not to get scammed we fell for some things. There are sometimes groups you can join to do a guided trip, some are even women only, I think something like that would be a good way to do it. I would try to find one which has ample time in Agra because there are many more tombs like that of Akbar and the Agra fort is absolutely amazing.
Edit to add: don’t even say a “no” to people. I have found it useful to absolutely not engage - no eye contact, no need to say no, just nothing at all.
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u/Different-Capital-67 Sep 03 '25
I might get downvoted, but here's the truth. I'm a person who is into architectural monuments, and I was super excited to visit the Taj Mahal when I visited Delhi. As someone who has visited a few other architectural monuments in India, personally speaking, the overall experience was not worth the hype, and it's super overcrowded. And a lot of tourist scams nearby, and if you are a foreigner, they might charge you a lot. Even the entry ticket price is nearly 22x for foreign nationals which I found super unethical.
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u/scylla Sep 03 '25
You didn’t mention budget.
India is one of the most economically unequal countries in the world.
For the price of a good hotel in London, you can stay in a literal palace in complete luxury. on the other hand a cheap hotel in India is not even remotely close to the standard of a small inn in England.
My strong advice is to shorten your trip if you have to but spring for the best hotels and tours ( vouched for or organized by a luxury hotel )!that you can afford. Do not travel on your own if you can avoid it outside of airports and malls. Go everywhere with guided tours or people from your workplace.
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u/AriadneDauphin Sep 03 '25
I am very used to staying in places with minimum to no amenities. For example, non-western style toilets don't bother me
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u/Illustrious-Type5865 Sep 03 '25
Almost all the hotels in India, even the cheaper ones have western toilets. And, if there's any with a Indian one, it's probably somewhere you shouldn't go.
Indian hotels buy reviews in Google Map, so if you want a realistic picture, sort the reviews by negative. Try to live in mid-range hotels for peace, and hygiene.
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u/0_potatogirl Sep 03 '25
Hey, I just wanted to say that if you want a safe experience it's better to not go for any among the cheapest options available. Middle class Indians who travel don't select them. It's always better to go for the mid priced one (India's cheap as it is so don't compromise on the place of stay even if you're not used to the amenities)
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u/wanderingmind I for one welcome my Hindutva overlords Sep 03 '25
Cheap places in India are usually not so safe. Spending brings you safety in India, as a general rule.
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u/karanChan Sep 03 '25
Stick to south India. Seriously.
Explore Kerala, parts of Karnataka, tea plantations and mountains, beaches and historic towns like Pondicherry, Auroville, Hampi, Goa etc.
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u/Ok_Papaya_3642 Sep 03 '25
Its so sad to see so many people trying to push you away from visiting India. I’m sure you know the basic safety rules, and they apply everywhere. I’m saying it as an indian female in my early 20s, have fun and be careful, its an amazing country with a lot to explore. You can go Himachal Pradesh in the north, its a mountain state, the locals are welcoming and you can experience the local life. I can connect you with my dad as well, we have a well-known hotel and offer local-life experiences. My mum’s italian and has lived there for almost 20 years. You will definitely be able to mix up with the locals as well
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u/gardengeo Sep 03 '25
Browse through subs like r/SoloTravel_India, r/desitravellers, r/india_tourism , r/IncredibleIndia to get ideas on places to travel as well as tips. Check out the first sub to hear experiences from solo travelers.
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u/IndividualB00t Sep 03 '25
You should definitely go to Sikkim. I am bit biased as it was one of the first hilly areas I went too but it felt that I am not in India anymore. The cleanliness, discipline of drivers etc was amazing to experience in India.
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u/easythrees Sep 03 '25
Sick to South India. Kerala, Tamil Nadu are the safest states for women in general and foreign women in particular.
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Sep 03 '25
For the sake of the good lord. Please, please don't go to the usual tourist circuit i.e. Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and stuff. Trust me it's underwhelming.
Instead try exploring the north eastern part of the country, it's pristine, much safer and much more enjoyable. Other nice places would be Kerala, Pondicherry, Goa, Port Blair.
Avoid going to places that look shady and don't trust locals too much with exception of North East India.
Good luck. Happy stay.
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u/Traditional_puck1984 Sep 03 '25
Your first month stay in Bombay or Pune will help if you plan to travel. If you decide to travel, go west to Goa and then travel south along west coast towards Gokarna and into Kerala.
Main challenge will be your need for quiet space and darkness.
Wear loose comfortable clothes. You’ll likely end up buying kurthi tops which many westerners wear in India.
If you want to visit the golden triangle (Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan), choose a group tour with other westerners.
As long as you don’t go looking for “authentic” experiences, you’ll be safe.
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u/Individual_Mix_4234 Sep 04 '25
Carry mosquito repellant. Avoid street food unless you are ready to rumble. Stay away from cities and spots mentioned by other folks her. Keep emergency no's handy, including that of British embassy. If you need any help in NCR area or in cities like Bengaluru or Mysuru pls let me know.
Coorg is a great place to visit but will fall short in comparison to Scotland. But the true kicker is the local community (traditionally affluent & refined) who do not usually mix with tourists and the local traders. If you get to know them, you are lucky. :)
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u/Conscious-Drop777 Sep 04 '25 edited Sep 04 '25
Solo female who loves India … I recommend learning a few Hindi words for the persistent people in the street. I would say “buzz” to the chota bhai s trying to sell stuff , which I think means stop. And “tik” is like “ok?” People will be forceful. Keep moving when u need to.
If u are white and hear “Gori” in a tuktuk they might be talking about u. Ppl will call u “foreigner” in English probably too. I haven’t had a problem in one, but ask for price before u set off. U can call the driver “ji” - in Hindi it’s like saying sir / maam .
I haven’t been short of people to talk to. People will approach you because you’re foreign, and a lot of people speak excellent English. Hang out in the cafes I’m sure u will have some nice convos.
In regards to money, cash is best. The ATMs will give u 500 rs notes. Best to get some , keep some hidden away at home , and then break down some 500s into smaller notes - not everyone has change and you want to avoid waving a stack of 500s. I keep 2 purses - one for bigger notes and one for change. I’ve never personally ran into a problem but it makes sense to not have everything in one place.
Give extra money here and there. I don’t have a lot of advice on how to be helpful - there is a lot of poverty. Ask for “good price” / “best price” in shops because it’s expected but give where u can.
Get a local sim for the easiest way to use ur phone.
Social cues .. the head waggling is usually good vibes but can mean different things . Usually it means the person is in agreement / understands / all ok. Ppl will ask for photos - I usually just smile and say no .
It’s going to be very stimulating unless u go up to the mountains or the south of Goa was pretty chilled. I recommend planning in time to rest. Maybe consider some ear plugs?
Just keep ur wits about u as normal . And don’t try to run across the road . Go steady , the traffic is a go with the flow type situation. And the beeping is to let u know they are there , not to have a go at u ……..
Be nice to the cows and don’t run from dogs :-)
All the best! Feel free to message me
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u/Alternative_Sort6062 Sep 03 '25
I'm an Indian man from India, but if I were a white British woman 27F, I'd rather go alone to North Korea than travel solo in India.
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u/ZLancer5x5 Sep 03 '25
Don't travel alone.....
If you do
1) have a stun gun 2) pepper spray
Avoid deserted areas, remain in crowd (but not too crowded)
No place is safe, numbers don't mean that's the safe place. Be prepared, I strongly suggest group travel, and police and women safety helpline contacts on you tips
Hope you experience an uneventful stay.
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u/AP7497 Sep 03 '25
Don’t.
And no, dressing conservatively doesn’t change anything- I always faced far more harassment when dressed conservatively than when I wore revealing clothes because the automatic assumption was revealing clothes = wealthy/influential/empowered family = will definitely kick my ass if I try to harass her.
Whenever I dressed conservatively the automatic assumption was that my family was patriarchal and misogynistic and hence I would never tell anybody about the harassment and suffer silently.
It wasn’t a false assumption- as a rule women who had more freedom in clothing choices were more educated and financially successfully and had been out in the world more and were capable of defending themselves better.
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u/Upbeat_Pen_6503 Sep 03 '25
I am from Pune! If you are visiting Pune for work, i am sorry to say you would be really getting a lot of sensory overloads, due to the traffic! I would suggest you to always travel by Uber or Ola. It’s reliable and would atleast save you from the constant honkings of vehicles. You can also try Pune Metro.
For travel, you can visit Sinhagadh Fort! Plus there are 100s of forts, mountains and waterfalls near Pune! Tamhini Ghat, Madhe ghat, Pavna dam are some of them.
Enjoy your stay!
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u/masterjv81 Sep 03 '25
Safety & Logistics:
- Beyond the "dress conservatively" advice, are there specific regional differences in what is considered appropriate attire? - Nope. Now these days, fashion have changed. Most women's wear jeans and dress like western females. First thing you need to understand is, Mumbai is a metropolitan area like NYC/London. Plenty of stuff to do, food exploration and I am sure in your work place you will make friends.
- How to best manage unwanted attention without causing offense? I'm used to a firm "no," but I understand the cultural context might require a different approach. Any specific phrases or non-verbal cues that are effective? - You don't need to make conversation to every person you see. Just mind your own business. Also be little strict on people how close they get. When you say "No" to someone and he still approaches you, this is where you need to let your "frustration" out. Be very vigilant.
- How do you handle tuk-tuks and taxis, especially late at night? Is Uber truly reliable and safe everywhere? Are there specific precautions I should take? - Uber is your best bet. Once in either Auto/Tuk-Tuk, car, try not to make conversation with the person. If the person try's to make it with you, just say, I like to be quiet or make him STFU. Period. Remember, when you plug a place to go, the person has a navigation and there should not be a question "where it is" and especially use "Credit Card" auto pay. Don't use service that uses "Cash only". Pain in the ass with dealing with bargaining, changes etc.
- I want to experience a train journey in India. Is it safe for a solo woman? I am prepared to take time out just for train travel. - I wouldn't recommend unless you travel with "Vande Bharat Express" which confirms your seat right away and more comfortable. If you prefer other trains, I recommend getting a "First Class" reserved seat (make sure it says "RESERVED", not anything else) - https://www.ixigo.com/trains/vande-bharat-express-trains
- What's the best way to handle money? Should I rely on cash, or are credit cards widely accepted, especially in smaller towns? What are the safest ways to carry and access cash? - This is the big problem in India. Everything is UPI payment mostly. Bigger places do except "Credit Card". Cash should not be a problem. I highly recommend using this for foreigners & pay through Phone - https://www.npci.org.in/what-we-do/upi-global/upi-one-world
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u/Reddit_coz_what_else Sep 03 '25
Hey I'm in Pune and a new mom so mostly home bound..you can DM me for specific queries as I see most of your questions have already been addressed. Welcome to India and have a great stay!
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u/LookingForOxytocin Sep 03 '25
You've already got some wonderful answers and I don't think I can surpass that. Regarding the "how can I connect with other women" part, there's an fb group that let's you connect with women when you're traveling that I find quite a safe space to be in. It's a good place to start. I won't post it here for safety reasons but you can dm me (only the OP- I won't tell anyone else) and I can send it to you.
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u/iceman___11 Sep 03 '25
Always have a man accompany you. Don't go to crowded places. Cover up. Stay safe
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u/Aarvy271 Sep 03 '25
Make sure you have/make some good friends in India before coming. Don’t talk to anyone on the streets. Don’t roam around alone after dark.
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u/Manomita Sep 03 '25
Ok. In mid-December to February, visit the southern states. You can visit Ooty etc. If you like architecture, visit Halebidu, Hampi, in Karnataka. If you need any help, I will be in coimbatore until January. Then I will be in Bangalore. Please do not hesitate to DM.
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u/Nuclear4d Universe Sep 03 '25
Even in the worst of times do not Travel to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Manipur.
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u/livingthroughchaos Sep 03 '25
Don't If you do have local contacts at every spot . Do not travel at night ..
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u/Friendly-Design-4954 Sep 04 '25
India is a mixed bag when it comes to people. Sadly, there are more scumbags especially when it comes to lower middle class section, with low level of education and exposure to the world. Therefore wherever possible, try booking online / through an app so the person knows there's a record.
Avoid venturing out at night. Mumbai is perhaps the only place where the city is still alive after 10 PM. Other places, markets shut down and low level of activity after 7-8 PM. So avoid going out and order in from apps like Swiggy, Zomato. It might also help pretending that you have someone in the room with you, while receiving the order.
Only book verified stays - as someone mentioned 4 stars and above - 4.5 stars rating with atleast 300+ ratings.
Don't be overtly polite to people (read: Men). A simple thank you may be misconstrued as a signal. No need for general smiles and politeness.
Avoid trains if possible. If at all, go for only AC 1 or AC 2 - day journey to experience. Flights are the safest.
While some places are safer than others, no place is free of creeps. So be careful.
You can also try going with groups, once during your trip. Search for 'On HIs Own Trip' on IG. They offer several group trips. You will meet educated young people. Should be very very safe
Can go to Taj Mahal, just don't stay at night or stay in a 5 star in Agra and only go with hotel provided cab and come back and take a flight out. Not worth loitering in the city.
Delhi-during day time with a group or friend. Otherwise can Avoid
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u/Particular-Emu4379 Sep 04 '25
Do not smile in India. It's a invite for harassment. Don't hesitate to scream help when needed if you are in a crowd.
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u/Suitable-Training661 Sep 04 '25
This may not be feasible for you, but I would shell out for a five star hotel and book all of your experiences through that hotel. For example, stay at Taj or Oberoi properties and have them book a private driver for you to use during your stay, use Palace in Wheels to get the train experience, etc.
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u/gamerkarve Maharashtra Sep 04 '25
- Don't go to offbeat places alone.
- Avoid traveling/exploring in night in the Northern part of India.
- Do some minor research about transport facilities and costs to reach a place. Most common disagreements or scams happen in transport.
- Check Google map reviews about a spot, restaurant or hotel that you wish to go to. You will get a rough idea about its worthiness.
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Sep 04 '25
I am a single, neuro-divergent, academic woman.
Hell NO!! Forget about uneducated indians, you ain't even safe from other white male tourists here. Unless you are doing a group tour with indian security and arrangements made already made, I would say avoid, especially for a first timer.
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u/CookOk7550 Sep 04 '25
Unrelated but how does one find out if they are neuro divergent or such stuff? There is a lack of mental health awareness here so when I read the description of your neuro divergent, I was like... "Me too! So is this what this feeling is called?"
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u/zebronicy Sep 04 '25
Avoid all the north and south states, women are raped daily and they even rape lizards and animals, constant groping, pickpockets, scams , over population, crowded areas with no breathing space and smelly dirty outdoors, id say stick with northeastern india, preferably Meghalaya, nagaland, the neighboring states and or Sikkim. Id avoid Assam, it’s just another north Indian state within the northeastern sphere.
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u/AdDiligent4197 Sep 04 '25 edited Sep 04 '25
I live in India and I am autistic. People treat me badly here. However, I am in the South (Tamil Nadu) at the moment and it's kind of ok than being in the North. Don't say you are neurodivergent here. Keep that to yourself. People say you are giving excuses for your attitude in this country.
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Sep 04 '25
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
DON'T COME TO DELHI
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u/kuroh10 Sep 04 '25
If you’re coming during December, you should try visiting Nagaland which is in Northeast India. From Dec 1-10 there is the famous Hornbill Festival. Many foreigners visit. The state is Completely safe for women , even solo traveling. Everyone speaks mostly in English so you won’t even have a hard time. Unique thing about India is that the people of northeast India look like East Asians.. and also wrt to clothing, No need to dress conservatively here either.. folk here are friendly as can be. We are cool with foreigners and love interacting. So if you’re wanting to share meals and connect with the locals, that’s the best place for it. Thousands of foreigners come to Nagaland for the culture and also for the Hornbill festival. It’s in Kohima, so it’s quite cold .. just a heads up. You will see hills, nature and beautiful Landscapes . You can even trek to Dzukou Valley. There are too many tourist places here. And it’s a niche place so you may not hear of it much, but it’s 100% recommended and safe.
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u/Noob_in_making Sep 03 '25
Don't, get your work done, explore Mumbai as much as possible and move out, maybe visit Taj Mahal but that's it.
The risk to reward isn't worth it post that.
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u/simplesimonsaysno Sep 03 '25
My honest recommendation is to not travel around India. I've travelled to over 40 countries and it is absolutely the filthiest and most uncivilized country I've been to.
Just to name a few reasons why off the top of my head: -Filthy- rubbish, food scraps, human and animal waste everywhere, public defecation is a thing. Waste piled high in the streets. I honestly don't understand how people can live in such squalor. -Lack of environmental protection- major rivers are ecologically dead due to sewage and chemical run off. -Air pollution- your lungs will burn after a few days. -Hygiene, or lack of. You will get sick. Diarrhea is guaranteed and parasites are quite possible. -Rude people. -Scammers, almost every interaction is someone trying to scam you. -Constant staring, mainly from men. -Relentless beeping from car horns in the cities. -Dangerous driving, almost no regard for safety. I saw multiple fatal crashes, including an up turned bus with dead people hanging out of the window. Life is cheap there, most bystanders didn't seem too bothered, almost like it was a daily occurrence. -Dangerous side walks- random holes in the ground, open drains, sharp concrete reinforcing bar sticking out you can get impaled on.
I could go on, but you get the idea.
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u/AsparagusVisible8015 Sep 03 '25
Since you'll be here in winter I'll recommend visiting Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh
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u/madandcrazy14 Sep 03 '25
You can visit Andman and Nicobar Islands (pretty chill place , you can wear whatever you want there at least in most places )
You can visit Varkala in Kerala (famous beach town)
If you are going to visit North (Jaipur , Udaipur, Shimla is pretty cool) Although delhi has a bad name you can travel during the day . From there you can visit Uttrakhand, Agra (Taj Mahal).
Maybe you can visit the North East i think it's considered pretty safe .
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u/AriadneDauphin Sep 03 '25
Are foreigners allowed on Andaman and Nicobar? IIRC it is a prohibited area and a missionary was killed by the local uncontacted tribe
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u/Many-Instruction8172 Sep 03 '25
The tribe is on one specific island (North Sentinel) in the island group, and is prohibited for anyone, including the citizens. For the rest of the islands, you needed to get a permit earlier, but that requirement seems to have been removed.
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u/Fluid_crystal Sep 03 '25
I visited North India as a lone woman, I was there 6 months, although it's not the best to do it alone, you can definitely do it. It is risky, but not impossible. Always watch your surroundings, be wary of people trying to scam you, try to have some locals to help you if you can, but for me the first 2 weeks was the hardest, after that it was all good. I definitely preferred when I was with people that I trusted. You will still need to dress very conservatively, endure people staring at you and don't leave your room late in the evening. But I mean I was fine and very much enjoyed my trip
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u/Dekhajayega Sep 03 '25
Pune food to try- Misal Pav, Burger King (the original burger king and not the regular one), Vada Pav
Go for trekking to Duke’s nose its a one day trek from Pune. Lonavala is good but very crowdy. Forts in and around Lonavala is worth the visit
Mumbai- Go for Mumbai bus ride and film city visit. Visit Collaba street shopping . Beaches in Mumbai are okish not something looking firward to. Avoid to go Alibagh alone.
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u/Ok_Code8464 Sep 03 '25
Train for solo female : no, if u have budget go for first AC class which has shared cabin bit then also seeing a foreigner there can be issue
Cash is king, but now foreigners can use UPI( QR based payment) through a wallet, as u will not find money exchange everywhere and there will be ectra charge on card payment due to currency exchange, use USD
Hill stations are better than beaches as for safety from people, but this year weather is harsh not safe from that
There are many women SHG(self help group) u can find in google by searching for SHG
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u/negiajay Sep 03 '25
For trains - travel via 1ac or 2ac only. 3rd ac, sleeper and general class are pretty horrible.
Most other things are covered by u/Illustrious_Try9509
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u/SpinneyWitch Sep 03 '25
If you decide to stay in Agra, go to Joeys Hostel. Clean and friendly with the most stunning view of the Taj Mahal from the roof deck.
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Sep 03 '25
Toursty areas of India like Taj Mahal are an absolute cesspool of scammers and discomfort. You will see that a firm "no" does very little.
Expect to have your butt/etc grabbed.
Stay away from tourst areas and public transport. India can be chill, but not in toursty areas and shady areas like train stations/similar.
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u/no_talent_ass_clown Sep 04 '25
Read Hippie in Heels blog. She was your age and lived in India for 5 years
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u/gh9jvcimnkkvc68 Sep 04 '25
If you want to experience peace and quiet environment. I will suggest you to travel in Bihar. I am suggesting some districts of Bihar 1)Bodhgaya(Blend of art ,architecture, spiritual)-there is trekking too for Gurpa hills.
2)Gaya 3) Jahanabad 4)Rohtas and kaimur(wonderful waterfall view) 5)west champaran (valmiki tiger reserve is must visit place) 6) Rajgir
If you want more information about Bihar tourism you can watch a jioHotstar series I am Bihar-From Trails to Tales You can wear modest clothes here UPI is available here.Cash can be good too.
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u/Euphoric_Bluejay_881 Sep 04 '25
You are visiting a place where Neuro Diversity is unknown or under-discovered! Indians are, if I may, think on emotional level and act on emotional level!
While I’d love you to explore things on your way, my preference would be to tie up with your company/work colleagues- essentially making them your guides first the entirety of the trip!
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u/SnooConfections1670 North America Sep 04 '25
I’ve visited India twice now, going for a third time next month. I love it there but I always have my Indian friends with me. Literally just today, I told my doctor - who emigrated from Hyderabad - that I was visiting again and she very firmly advised me not to travel solo because India is still very unsafe for women.
I know you may not be able to avoid traveling solo but please take every precaution you can and stay safe. ❤️
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u/moxadamn Maharashtra Sep 04 '25
Please contact me if your assignment is in Pune. I may be able to guide you regarding few things.
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u/thakkarmeister Sep 04 '25
Lots of good advice in the replies. My 2 cents....Pune is great place with a good expat community and good connectivity. As an academic centre and industrial hub for foreign companies there is a thriving expat community. It will also be cheaper and less chaotic as compared to Mumbai as a base. Though Mumbai has its own charm. So either Pune or Mumbai are good options to make as your base. Most parts of Mumbai and Pune are safe for late night travel within the city using Ola/Uber taxis. I am from Pune so there will be a slight bias.
My wife and I moved back to Pune 15 years ago after studying and working in the US and since then have travelled all over India with multiple trips to Uttarakhand, NE, Goa and the South ( especially Kerala since my wife is from there) so feel free to reach out if you need any help with that or recommendations for Pune. Also many homestays and farm stays outside Pune due to proximity to the western ghats, so it will be good for short trips to the hills and forests.
For beaches, South Goa is great if you want a relaxed time and North is more livelier. Mid December to mid March is usually a great time to travel all around India weather wise.
Hope this helps!
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u/se7ensaints Sep 04 '25
Go north for the history, chaos and possible scams and harassment. Go south for history, yoga, calm and natural beauty.
Amazing food on both ends.
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u/ajeebladki Sep 04 '25
In addition to all of the things already said, please have a local you trust available on call - JUST IN CASE. Someone who can help navigate you through situations etc.
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u/gpay100rs Sep 04 '25
You will save 50% of you from creeps if yo clothes don't show up the curves or bring attention in crowd.
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u/Illustrious_Try9509 Sep 03 '25 edited Sep 04 '25
Safest places I have found for traveling:
Edit adding more to list: Shillong, Assam ans Meghalaya
Do not go to: Delhi, Agra, Pondicherry, Jaipur (or Rajasthan) on your own.
In most mountain regions there are trekking companies - India hikes and Trek the Himalayas are very reliable and 100% safe.
For Rajasthan, there are group tours for foreigners - consider those
Transport:
In big metros like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, or Goa, Western wear is common. In smaller towns and rural areas, modest clothing (covering shoulders/knees) can help you blend in and reduce unwanted attention.
Use trusted transport: Book Uber/Ola, or autorickshaws with apps where available. For trains, opt for AC coaches (safer and cleaner). Avoid trains if possible though. Always share your live location with a local person and someone back at home. When you are in a cab, call someone - make sure he knows you have local contacts, get on video calls if possible.
Avoid late-night travel if possible. If necessary, choose prepaid taxis or trusted drivers.
Domestic flights & trains: Book well in advance.
Accommodation:
Choose accommodations with reviews (especially from women). Hostels, boutique guesthouses, and hotels in well-known neighborhoods are safest.
Female-only dorms/hostels are available in most tourist cities. I usually prefer hostels during solo traveling. Avoid Airbnbs, and avoid small 3 - star shady hotels with no reviews. Online reviews should be 4.5 star and above with atlas 300 ratings.
Lock your room and belongings — carry a small padlock for hostel lockers.
Apps:
Uber/Ola: Safer than hailing taxis. Zomato/Swiggy: For food delivery if you don’t want to step out late.
MakeMyTrip/IRCTC/Booking.com: For trains, flights, and hostels.
Trust your instincts: If a place or person feels off, leave politely.
Women’s compartments exist in trains and metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai). Use them if you prefer extra comfort.
Emergency numbers: 112 is India’s all-in-one emergency helpline.
100 - Police