15 Essential Tips For Solo Female Travelers In India (2024)

Traveling to India might seem to be chaotic at first for female travelers. However, being equipped with appropriate knowledge about the places and people, and having a positive attitude could make your travel one of the most rewarding experiences. A solo trip in India could give you a chance to engage with the locals, take the most fun out of the trip, and also help you click several eye-catching pictures in the vibrant country. However, if you are a female and traveling solo in India, you should be a little prepared and cautious. We have got some helpful tips for solo female travelers in India.

15 Essential Tips For Solo Female Travelers In India

1. Do Proper Research About The Place Beforehand

One of the most important tips for solo female travelers in India is to do proper research about the places that you are visiting beforehand. Doing the proper research before your visit would help you understand the culture, traditions, and customs of the place that you are going to explore. Reading guidebooks and blogs written by other solo female travelers in India would help you a lot. You can also check online forums to gain insight into the country.

2. Begin The Trip With A Strategy

“Every big thing begins with a strategy.” You should start your trip with a strategy. Plan the travel trip beforehand. Know about the destinations that you would be visiting, and book your stay place in advance. It is good to choose a close destination if you are traveling solo for the first time.

3. Keep The Emergency Numbers Handy

Safety should be your priority, especially when you are a solo female traveler in India. So, it is wise for you to keep some of the emergency numbers handy. Below we have listed a few of the important emergency numbers in India.

• Tourist helpline: 1800-11-1363
• Women’s helpline: 181
• All in on emergency number: 112
• Police: 100
• Fire: 101
• Indian Railway helpline numbers: 182, 138, and 1322

4. Do Not Go On Lesser Known Path

A saying goes, “Always choose the less traveled path.” However, for solo female travelers in India, it should not be appropriate. It is good to choose the most popular routes and destinations if you are traveling solo trip for the first time.

You can begin with the Golden Triangle, i.e. Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. You will enjoy the trip and explore incredible India quite safely. You can also choose to travel toward Southern India, especially Kerala, which is known as the “God’s Own Country” and where you can find peace and beauty.

5. Try To Be A Part Of Group Tours

NOTE: We would suggest you go with an organized tour group instead of traveling alone.

If you are a solo female traveler in India then try to be a part of different group tours and that would help you travel safely. Traveling in a group of solo female travelers could be the best means to deal with all your worries while traveling. Moreover, you also get a chance to make some new like-minded friends and also make some memories for a lifetime.

6. Getting Around Safely And Conveniently In India

India is a wonderful place and you find it quite easy to get around in the country, with so much of autorickshaws, buses, taxis, metros, trains, and flights available for travelers. You can down trusted cab agencies applications like Uber, or Ola as these cab agencies have GPS-enabled systems that make your journey smooth and safe. Make sure, if you are choosing an autorickshaw, to go with an auto that has a working meter. It is always good to keep google maps open while traveling in local road transport vehicles. Moreover, always keep the taxi or auto’s registration number noted and send it to some of your friends and family members.

7. Do Not Choose To Use Public Transport During Odd Hours

Though it might sound safe to choose to use public transport while on a solo travel trip, you should not travel by public transport during odd hours. In case you are aware that you are going to be late, do not board a bus or local taxi, rather call up your homestay or hostel and ask them to send their cab or book a cab from a renowned or trusted cab agency. You can get a few female driver services across the country, such as WomenCabs and TaxShe in Bangalore, Priyadarshinitaxi in Mumbai, etc.

8. Keep Your Loved Ones Informed About Your Trip

An essential tip for solo female travelers in India is that while traveling alone you should keep your loved ones informed about the trip details and addresses of your hostel or homestay. Also, keep in mind to share your live location while traveling with your dear ones so that they can keep a check on the track you are traveling.

9. Choose Local Customs While Selecting Clothing

It is good to dress appropriately and choose local customs when you are in India, especially in villages or small towns. This would keep you away from all the unwanted stares of random people. However, there is more freedom to wear what you like in urban cities like Goa, Mumbai, or Delhi. Still, make sure not to wear more revealing clothes, just to remain safe when you are traveling solo.

In India, people cover their heads while visiting most religious places. If you want you can do the same.

10. Carry Enough Cash and Essential Types Of Equipment

You need to carry enough cash with you so that you do not run out of cash in an unknown place, especially where you won’t find ATMs, like in the hills. Moreover, you should also equip yourself with all emergency pieces of equipment like a torch, pepper spray, emergency alarm, power bank, sanitary napkins, etc.

11. Take A Local SIM Card

While traveling in India, you should get a local SIM card. It is quite easy to get a SIM card in the Indian sub-continent. If you are arriving in India on an e-tourist visa then you will be issued a ready-to-call SIM card at the immigration counter. This card would have 50MB of data, a credit of Rs.50, and also a welcome pack that comprises the do’s and don’t’s, tourism information, emergency numbers, and maps. These SIM cards can be availed at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Chennai, Panjim, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Amritsar.

To get a SIM card you will have to submit a copy of your visa and passport. The card should be activated within two hours of purchase.

12. Do Not Reveal Too Much To Strangers

Being a solo female traveler in India, you might have to speak to strangers or locals at times, especially to know about specific addresses or routes. However, make sure not to reveal too much to strangers. Do not share your contact number or your stay place address with strangers.

13. Learn To Say “No” Confidently

It is good to be polite, but you should learn to say “no” confidently when you feel something unwanted. You need not have to say yes to everything or agree with everything that everyone says to you. Gain confidence and say “no” and trust your instincts. No need to pay attention to random creeps while you are traveling solo in India.

14. Prefer Staying At Hostels Or Homestays

One more tip that could benefit you if you are a solo female traveler in India is that you should prefer staying at hostels or homestays. This will help you to get a chance to meet fellow solo female travelers. It can be as safe as staying in a well known and reputed hotel room alone.

15. Go With The Travel Flow And Let Go Of The Fear

Enjoying your trip means letting go of fear, worries, and anxiety and exploring places deliberately. Traveling solo to new places might make you a bit worried and afraid. However, be confident, let go of the fear, and go with the travel flow. Keep reminding yourself why you choose to get into a solo travel journey, there would be nothing more liberating than this.

Conclusion

Traveling solo is not just about exploring, it is about meeting new people, making new friends, and enjoying new places the most. Be confident and enjoy your solo travel to its best in India. You will surely make a lifetime memory in this diversified country.