Guide for female traveling in India
I have always heard that it is dangerous to travel to India.
Specially: That it is dangerous to travel alone to India and it is even more dangerous to travel alone and being a female traveling in India.
Over the years I learnt that nowhere in the world is safe enough for being fully trusty, nor dangerous enough that there is no reason to travel there if you really want to do it.
For so many years I have heard from my family, friends and the medias telling: DON’T travel alone to India; and the most: Don’t go as a the solo female traveler that you are!. Thanks to someone who was very important in my life, I decided to fulfill one more dream. The dream destination for years looked much closer when being already in Asia, and after applying for my Visa in Bangkok I started the epic journey, all alone, to cover part of India. (About how to get the Visa to India in Bangkok)
I must admit: I have had a bit of fear and much more apprehensions before heading there. So I started my journey in this huge country with bad expectations and thinking I would leave after few days.
I was fortunate to share with new friends made via Couchsurfing all along my trip, what made my stay easier probably than it could have been if it had been totally alone.
I have also found something that made me very happy: I have found lots of female solo traveling in India! Yes, lots of solo female travelers all over the country, from India and foreigners, taking trains or buses and having great experiences!
Lets’s face it: India is not an easy country to travel.
Lets’s face it: India is not an easy country to travel.To me there was many new things all over the country. Different outfits, different culture, very big and live cities, almost everywhere was crowded (it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world) and the noise and pace of the cities makes you have to always be 100% alert.
The noise was one of the things – plus the heat – that was harder to get used to, after some days I was listening the horns like they where talking to each other with the sound.
Coming from South America, I am used to walk around with eyes in front and in back of myself (and my bag), and always walking carefully and choosing where I walk or who I talk to.
The are basic cautions to take in any big cities but, if you’ve never had the experience to be in a place with that rythm, it can turn to be quite impressive. I think this can be an issue especially if you come from a country where the safety of citizens is awesome and the rate of thefts to persons is lower than in the rest of the world.
Want to avoid harassment?
If you want to avoid harassment and constantly staring men, I suggest to adopt as quickly as possible a bit of the Indian traditions to your wardrobe.
This means: cover as much of your body and don’t wear tight clothes. This enables combinations that maybe you would never wear before in your country, such as ample dresses with big pants under them. But if you want to walk peacefully down the street this might be the solution. Also don’t show too much cleavage even if you die of heat!
Although I do not like the idea of having to change your wardrobe to get some respect from men, it is often healthier and safer just to fit and don’t make acts of rebellion and independence if you want some peace within the chaos of the cities in India. I have seen some white girls wearing tiny shorts and tight dresses who seemed so pissed of about everybody staring at them (C’mon!!!)
Cultural differences are big, except in tourist places like Goa and similar. In the rest of the country, women goes covered almost completely, even when bathing in rivers or the sea, so a girl with fair skin, light hair and eyes (that is already catching some extra attention), in shorts or bikini obviously will draw the attention of all and everyone.
How you travel and get to experience a destination is, after all, your choice, but I believe it is showing respect to adopt part of the culture of the location in dressing, eating or any other cultural codes.
Food poisoning is not a myth (as I thought)
As much as I like to try new foods and especially street food, I must admit that India is a good place to avoid street food if you do not know where to buy safety food. The times I ate with locals I have had no problems, but THE time I ventured alone to try something (most delicious Mango Smoothie ever!!!) I was sick for several days after the tasty adventure.
As it’s known, hygiene measures are not very high and your digestive system would be probably not used to local bacteria and more. Many street food are served with the hands and is really easy to find contaminated water.
My favorite: Common sense!
And please be careful when you go on holiday, specially if you are a solo female traveler, and it basically comes down to: do not get drunk so you do not have awareness of who you are or what you do …. that’s when most unwanted situations will happen. For me it is RULE #1 when traveling alone: NEVER GET DRUNK!
The weather in India is not a little issue, if you can choose the time you will be traveling there keep this in mind: Don’t go to India in Summer!
If you don’t have another option taking some basic measures could prevent you for having health problems . I traveled between April to June and in some areas temperatures are CRAZY and can exceed 45°C, which requires special measures to extreme conditions such as :
– Drink lots of water ( at least 2 liters a day)
– Avoid exercising or walking in the sun between 12 and 16hr
– Avoid drinking alcohol, even a refreshing beer because it promotes dehydration.
– Eating food small amounts several times a day
Public Transports
As for public transport, normal precautions with your personal stuff is most important because buses and trains are usually crowded. Always the important things close to you. Always take care of your stuff, even on a Tuc-Tuc. I never saw any robbery but everyone comment …. so better take some cautions.
In many cities in buses or metro they have special seats for ladies, and men normally offer them to you.
Train travel is generally safe and comfortable and there is no problem in traveling alone. There are many women traveling alone by train or with their family and you can ask for the “female quota” that accommodates women near to you. (You can see my guide to travel by Train in India)
Something that helped me a lot was to have a local number with available Wi-Fi. For around 150INR *(2.5 USD) I have found the SIM card and then a monthly plan for 200INR (3.3USD) that gave me more than enough juice for messaging and social networking. It can turn to be very useful when looking for details and routes and places you will want to visit.
These are the things that helped me travel safely to India for four months. A memorable trip and a wonderful country which I can’t wait to return to explore more!
Best luck on the road and safe & happy travels!
Have you ever travel in India as a solo female traveller? How was your experience? You have any tips to enjoy and have a safe journey in India?
hi there Nomadic Chica, came across your blog as I am currently planning a trip to Thailand and being from India, I felt curious to read this post!… I must say, it is a well written post. And I agree with the points you have mentioned. In fact, some of it applies to every woman in India!!(unfortunately).. I hope you had a memorable time in India. Also, have you been to Southern part of the country. I ‘m from Kerala and its defnitely worth a visit. If you havent been to Kerala, do plan a trip next time you are in the country!
Many thanks for your kind words. I LOVED India actually! Still need to go back to visit south part of the country, maybe next year!
I just got back from India a few weeks ago. I found that I was much cooler after I purchased some local clothes which are very lightweight and easy to hand wash. I traveled with my husband but he wasn’t always with me. I didn’t have any issues with men staring at me probably due to buying local clothes which were very inexpensive. I bought a swimming suit in Goa that was very modest and wore a towel over one shoulder and a piece of cloth around my waist when I wasn’t in the water. It was fine.
When we were in Delhi, many people tried to scam us. I didn’t care for Delhi due to that, the noise, and air quality but the smaller towns were very nice. I also didn’t get sick either. I took a probiotic every day and was very careful in what I ate and drank.
I found that if you carry yourself with confidence and act like a local, you will be fine.
I’m very happy you had a great experience too! I think always best tactic it’s try to mingle and not look too much as atourist makes everything better when traveling to a foreigner country 😉 Happy travels!
India is definitely one of those countries that I’d be worried about travelling solo in. Thanks for these tips!
Hi @Melisa, I must tell you that I was also kind of affraid before going there, but being there I realized I was SO wrong! India is not a bad place for a female solo traveler!
Your recommendations about clothing are really appropriate anywhere. It all depends on what kind of attention you want and as a solo woman traveler safety should be first priority. Covering up may not be comfortable but as a wise traveler once told me: Dress to see and not be seen.
Yes, @Elaine, specially when it’s summer, being all covered it’s not funny at all when you’re not used to it, but safety and saving from creepy looks I think it’s better! Love your friend’s phrase btw 😉
Awesome article companera, especially the part about not getting drunk! Doing that has lead me to some tough situations while traveling! I can’t wait to get to India some day, and I’ll look to your blog for advice before I do!
The getting drunk part could specially save so many girls from those situations. I hope you reach India soon! Let me know when you’ll be close to it! Enjoy!
Great suggestions! It can be important in many locations to blend in, especially when traveling solo.
Great you did find them useful @Marissa! Thank you!