Is It Safe For Women To Travel India? Is the concern over travel safety for women tourists justified? What are the important travel tips for female travellers?
These are some of the top questions or say concerns women, have when planning a trip to India from another country to or going from one state to another state.
Indian is actually an amazing destination for solo female travellers, despite all the warnings and dire media reports. I have travelled different parts of India and I now live there- in Delhi the capital city of the country.
Let me tell you I have found India as the most exciting destination on Earth. Here, every moment is an adventure, a sensory overload, and a crash course in learning to live in the moment.
Let’s go through the each question deeply.
Is it Safe for Women to Travel India?
A lot of women travellers ask this question about whether she is coming from a different country or one state to another state. Let me tell you this is not about to safe or unsafe destinations- anything can happen anywhere.
Although, it is unlikely most women travelling in India will suffer aggressive or hostile behaviour.
Instead of asking where your travel, ask how you travel? Do you follow ‘safe travel strategies?’
Don’t restrict yourself because of your safety fear.
As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2018 annual report, 33,356 rape cases were reported across India in 2018. Out of these, 31,320 were committed by someone known to the victim (93.9% of the cases).
As far as the concern about crimes against tourists, including female tourists do happen, but they are relatively rare. Probably rarer than you believe.
However I cannot disapprove of this fact that in India, men can be more pervasive, persistent, and annoying than others, but they rarely cross the line.
You need to be careful at night, make sure that someone reliable is picking you up at the airport or train stations.
There is no guarantee in life, but if you mitigate risk and move with confidence within your comfort zone, you are able to go anywhere.
Now it is clear here Is it Safe for Women to Travel India? This is completely safe. Don’t be afraid to be a solo female traveller in India… just be prepared.
Top 10 Tips for Women Travellers
So you have finally decided to go to India for a solo trip. Congratulations lady, you have made the best travel decision.
You should to take care of all the practical stuff that will ensure your tips is a success: what to wear when to visit and how to stay safe. To ease your task, I have covered some important tips on solo women trip to India:
- Do Proper Research
You can have a fantastic trip in India and make many amazing memories. Before booking your tickets, do proper research. Make sure you know and understand the culture before embarking.
Create a route map in your mind; chalk out the itinerary, figure out the best mode of transport and time to spend at each place.
Get a copy of India tips. You need to be 100% prepared and excited about this trip and ensure you do everything on your India bucket list.
2. Dress Appropriately
India is a conservative country, so you need to be respectful of that by covering your shoulders, legs, and watching your cleavage.
It’s better to wear Indian attire like a kurta or a stalwart kameez suite. You can easily buy once you arrived at local markets or from stores.
Goa is the only exception here where you can wear a bikini but it’s better to be aware.
3. Recognize Your Vulnerabilities
Tips for solo female travellers in India are many, but one thing is consistent, the need to exercise caution.
Innate to the travel experience is the feeling of being uncomfortable, try different cuisine, visit places, and seal people do things they don’t do back home. You go out of your comfort zone.
But you should know the difference between being uncomfortable and being unsafe. Always take calculated risk and stay aware of your surroundings.
4. Take Care of Your Arrival
No matter what, always plan your trip such that you reach before sunset and you start before sunset. This way, it is possible that you lose out some precious time but you will be ensured about your safety.
In case, you reach your destination at late night, do your booking in advance. Get a room nearer to the airport. It might be costly, but security is the priority. If you are from India or have some known persons there, stay with them.
You can stay in hostels or couch surf with a friend. This way you cut your travel cost and also avoid unnecessary travel.
5. Be Confident Instead of Being Polite
This is one of the most vital tips for women travelling in India or elsewhere. See, how you carry yourself plays a vital part in your experience.
If you are confident, you are less likely to attract unwanted attention. Apparently, wrong people look for women they perceive to be easy targets; women who don’t look like they will put up a fight.
As an Indian, I come from a mixed culture where I am taught to be confident and polite according to the situations. If I feel someone is trying to harass me for whatever reason, initially I ignore them and if things go out of my control, I become angry and react to them loudly.
6. Always Book an Upper Barth
Being an avid traveller, I have various memorable tales from the Indian rails. Let me tell you nowhere else in the world is the journey as fun as the destination as it is in India.
But it’s better to take some precautions. While booking your journey, make sure to book an upper berth. It is not only a safe place to keep your bags secure but it will give you a sense of privacy.
When it comes to more space and cooler air in 2nd class A/C may be the right option.
7. Mobile Phone is Essential
A mobile phone is something we always carry. But if you are coming from another country get a local SIM card for safety and convenience. Presently Indian is a phone-obsessed nation.
Everything is done via text message here whether it is booking train tickets or you need to communicate with drivers.
When you go out, always take a fully charged mobile phone with you, so if you suffer any difficult situation you can easily call someone for help. Get an extra battery pack to make sure you will never be left without a phone.
8. Prefer A Travel Group
No doubt, travelling solo is fulfilling. It has also become much more glamorized over other types of travel. But the idea of being in a group put all your fears to rest.
When you are friends with other women, you experience incredible sights and songs.
There is a wide variety of experience, so once you decided on the region of India you wish to go, this is quite simple to find an opportunity that matches your interests.
9. Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is something you should always carry on your every tour. If you get a fever or break your ankle while climbing down a temple, travel insurance helps you in your time of need and protects you from financial ruin.
This is not just about an injury. If you get robbed, travel insurance will help you to refund you for what was stolen from you. If your flights get cancelled due to weather, you get a refund.
10. When to Visit India
The perfect time to visit India is between October and March to avoid the hot times and the monsoon. They both can be a little uncomfortable, especially if you are used to a more mild climate. But if you are on a tight budget, visiting offseason is a solution to help you save money. Another advantage of visit India offseason is that you can explore the iconic sights like the Taj Mahal without the instance crowds.
More Tips
- Talk to your family or friends at a pre-arranged time.
- Don’t get stupidly drunk. It is one of the most important tips for female travellers.
Best Destinations For Female Solo Travellers In India
These are great tips not only for traveling in India, but for many other countries. In addition to having a phone that works in that country, make sure you know what the emergency numbers are for the area.
Right Tracy, we must have emergency numbers for the area. Thanks for sharing 🙂
It is quite sad to have to think that to be sure you have to pay attention not to do or say things that are obvious to me like breathing.
Yes, I agreed.
This is helpful! I think it’s important to always be aware when traveling and make sure that you’re considering safety, so thanks for sharing!
It’s too bad we have to consider our safety specifically as women when traveling, but it’s a non-negotiable. Thank you for sharing these tips.
Hm, I completely agree. But what to do, we should never compromise with our safety when we know it might be harmful to us.
Such wonderful tips, I am hoping to see India some day there are so many beautiful landmarks like the Taj Mahal that I think would be stunning in person.
There are various monuments and places to visit. Plan your tour here and have various unforgettable memories.
Great tips! Yes these can be used for any traveling place and important especially for 1st time or recurring trips. Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much for sharing these tips. They really come in happy, I planned to study in India for some time but I’ve been scared about some stories I have heard. Will definitely visit and use these tips.
Don’t be scared from stories. India is just like any other country; you need to be careful and you can have amazing tour.
India is a country I have long dreamed about visiting. Hoping to go next year – so your tips will come in handy. Thank you!
Oh wow, you are welcome to our country. Hope, these tips would make your tour easier and more enjoying.
This is a great list of tips, thank you for sharing! I haven’t been to India yet, but look forward to visiting some day!
You are welcome Lauren. India is a land of mix culture, religion and people, you will surely have great time here
These tips can be applied to other countries not just India, that’s for this information
Ya, these tips are applicable to other countries also.
Extremely important and helpful tips!