Solo Female Travel India: Everything you need to know before starting your trip
Before I embarked on my trip, I did a general Google search about safety for solo female travel in India. If you’ve ever done this, you know it can be a bit discouraging, but I went on with it nonetheless.
Since I was planning on working while travelling around, I didn’t buy a return ticket. In my mind, I figured if I won’t like it or if it’s going to be too challenging, I’ll book a flight back home immediately.
My original plan was to stay around one month and see as much as I can of the Rajasthan area. I ended up loving the country and extended my trip to 2 whole months. And while Rajasthan was my favourite part of India, I managed to go down south and experience the country’s diversity.
While I never had any major issues and never felt unsafe, India has its challenges like many other countries. In this article I am going to share some of these challenges and what I did to ensure I had a great trip!
Why is India considered unsafe?
As I mentioned, a simple Google search will show you that statistically it is one of the most dangerous countries for females due to the high risk of sexual violence. And while I am not trying to scare anyone, I feel that if you decide to travel by yourself, you should be aware of this. Remember: always question everything and think everything twice.
What to do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation
If you ever find yourself in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation, call 112 and ask for the police department. You can also call 1091, India’s Women Helpline Number, if you’re the victim of sexual harassment. Save these numbers and always have a working phone on hand.
What to expect?
1. Tuk Tuk/Taxi drivers scams:
Honestly, this was my biggest issue while travelling in India and while it’s not that big of a deal it can get frustrating at times.
Never get in a taxi or tuk-tuk off the street without negotiating the final price first. This should be your golden rule in India when it comes to getting around cities. Always push for them to turn on the meter, they mostly won’t but try nonetheless.
Sometimes taxi drivers or tuk-tuk drivers would tell me that the hotel I booked no longer existed or is a bad place to stay and offer to take me somewhere else. Again, this is 100% a scam, make sure to say you have already paid and someone is waiting for you there. This only happened to me twice, but you should be aware of it.
Drivers will offer to stop along the way for you to see a temple or some tourist attraction. Be aware that they will ask for more money if you accept. This happened to me in Bangalore, the driver asked for more money because he stopped for 2 minutes for me to take a photo of a building that he offered to show me. Say you’re in a hurry or that you’ve already seen it to avoid this situation.
2. Souvenir shops scams:
When walking inside a souvenir shop or clothing shop they will always tell you how their product is vastly superior to other shops. This way they can justify the asking price because the item is “hand-made” or high quality.
Most of the time, when you hire a tuk-tuk driver for the day, they will try to take you to the best stores with the best quality. You’ll be inclined to believe that they’re actually trying to help you get a good deal, but they’re not. The drivers have a commission based on what the tourists they bring to the shops buy. While sometimes it can be a nice experience and they will take you to stores you wouldn’t otherwise go to, don’t feel pressured to buy anything.
3. A lot of attention from men:
If you travel as a solo female in India, you will get a lot of attention from men especially if you have lighter hair. I have blonde hair and literally stuck out like a sore thumb. Again don’t feel pressured into making conversation if you don’t want to, and don’t feel bad to seem rude. I don’t feel bad dismissing a man in my own country if he makes me uncomfortable, why would I feel bad doing it somewhere else?
While Indian women are amazing and I did get to hang out with some of them, I would advise against going out with men you’ve briefly met.
4. Selfies:
One very common thing you will encounter in India is people wanting to take selfies with you. This is by no means ill-intended and from what an Indian woman explained to me it’s mostly people that have a simple life and don’t get to interact with foreigners. I personally didn’t mind it, but if you don’t like it just politely say no.
Overall remember everything is negotiable and simply saying no will help you avoid a lot of these situations.
General safety tips for solo female travellers
1. Buy a local SIM and always carry a power bank with you
Having a working phone is always vital when travelling, even if it’s just to use Google Maps. It’s important to always know where you are or if your driver is taking you where you need to go. You will need to use your phone for getting Uber, research restaurants or find your way around different areas.
When buying a SIM you will need to provide your passport and visa to get an Indian number and also an existing Indian number. I got the people from the hotel reception to help me with the latter. Alternatively, you can always get an eSIM, it’s way easier and you don’t need to provide any kind of documentation.
2. Stay at hotels that have 24-hour reception.
As a solo female traveller it’s important to have someone to ask for advice or recommendations and the people working the hotel reception are always super helpful. The reception will help you with taxis, different tours and it’s always good to know there’s someone there if you get back late. Plus these are the people that can offer you solid advice on what to avoid.
3. Never say you are alone
If you travel as a solo female in India, men will always strike up a conversation with you. When men approached me they would always ask if I’m by myself. Never say yes, you can say you’re with friends or on a business trip with colleagues or simply say you’re with your husband. You can always wear a fake wedding ring as well.
4. Dress modestly
This has to do with both safety and respecting the local culture. India is a conservative country and it’s important to respect their culture. Cover your shoulders and don’t wear short skirts. Always look at how the local women dress. While I was in Delhi because there were days when it was cold outside, I used a scarf to cover my head and I noticed when I did this I got less attention.
5. Tell people you trust your location
It’s important to always have a friend or a family member know where you are. Always communicate your location and what your plans are.
6. Wear a cross-body bag
Pickpockets are everywhere in the world so be sure to always keep your belongings safe. Wearing a cross-body bag will ensure you always have your belongings in sight and in close reach.
7. Don’t be afraid to be rude
I personally think that a lot of tourists get scammed or in uncomfortable situations because they don’t want to be rude. As I already mentioned if you don’t want something just say no and move on, you don’t need to explain yourself.
8. Always research your destination
Researching your destination means you should understand which parts of the city are safe and which are not. When booking a hotel, always look up to see if that’s a safe area. It also means understanding local customs and common scams.
9. Always trust your gut
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and remove yourself from the situation. Women have an amazing instinct and we should never question it. Don’t try to rationalise it, just trust your gut!
10. Use reliable transportation options
India is a very affordable country so if you’re not very adventurous always opt for ride-sharing and tuk-tuks. Travelling between cities always opt for the AC sleeper class when you’re taking the train even if it’s just a short trip. AC Sleeper classes are the safest ones.
Conclusion
Solo female travel in India offers numerous benefits and rewards. You will have the opportunity to gain a profound sense of independence, self-discovery, and empowerment. Travel at your own pace and experience the rich culture that India has to offer.
After spending 2 months in this unique country I would definitely go back! It truly is a country like no other. It’s a trip of personal growth and building confidence, but I do think it’s a destination for the more experienced traveller.
Safe travels!
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