5 Best Places For Solo Female Travel In India (You've Probably Never Heard Of)
India is the cultural gem of Asia. With such a large country comes a great deal of diversity, which is not to be missed. Many people have a trip to India on their bucket list, but, for often unknown reasons, it can seem like a daunting place to visit, especially solo. We get it. It's big, there are so many destinations to choose from, it's busy and loud, and all-inclusive hotels are like the Loch Ness monster. Nevertheless, no one should miss out on such a life-changing adventure, which is why we've put together this guide of the best places for solo female travel in India, so that you can turn planning your perfect trip from a nightmare into a dream.
Is India Safe?
India gets a bad rap as a land of crooks and savages, where you should be using a mirror to peek around every corner while out for a stroll.
We might be exaggerating, but tell anyone you're planning a solo trip to India and listen to their responses. We imagine they'd go a little like this…"ooh be careful", "you're going on your own?", "make sure to hold onto your possessions", and the old favourite "my cousin's wife's sister's daughter's niece went to India alone and got mugged 20 times, had all of her money stolen, and ended up in hospital with food poisoning". Can we insert an eye roll here?!
That's not to say there is no crime in India, and there are things you should be aware of before you travel, but generally speaking, India is as safe as many other well-traveled countries, and safety is not a reason to avoid the country.
The biggest thing you need to watch out for is petty theft in big cities. Like most countries, when traveling in busy places, there may well be a pair of sneaky hands trying to wriggle their way into your bag as you hang onto the train for dear life. I'm sure you don't need telling, but follow obvious tourist safety advice such as keeping your bags zipped up, and ensuring flashy belongings are hidden when in busy places.
Another issue to look out for is people trying to scam you. This could even be from people you would usually look up to, or turn to in a crisis, such as the police. This is not the time to trust that everyone has good intentions. Although the majority of Indians are warm, loving, and hospitable, there will always be people who look at you with 'tourist' stamped across your forehead and see dollar bill signs in front of their eyes.
As is, unfortunately, the case all over the world, there have been cases of sexual assault against female solo travelers, and while in the 21st century, it shouldn't be a problem women have to deal with, keeping your eyes open and being aware of your surroundings is necessary for all females traveling alone.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that homosexuality is illegal in India, with penalties of a fine or imprisonment. Although this outdated law is well overdue in its removal, it is still firmly in place and worth bearing in mind. Police especially have been known to harass the LGBTQ+ community, so if that's you, India may not be the most welcoming place to visit. If open acceptance of your lifestyle is important to you while traveling, you may wish to reconsider India and head to a more gay-friendly destination such as Canada, Spain, or New Zealand.
How To Travel Solo In India
There are plenty of ways to get around India, which is just as well because the country is huge. The number one skill you need to travel solo as a female in India? Patience. Be prepared that EVERYTHING will take longer than expected, so leave room in your itinerary for unexpected delays.
In India, travel will eat up a lot of your time, which is why it's not a recommended destination for short trips. However, traveling between places isn't lost time, it's part of the experience.
The quickest way to get around is, of course, by flying. If you're traveling long distances between destinations, such as from the north of the country to the south, you really should consider a domestic flight. Air India is the main flight operator, and while you won't find slippers, hot flannels, and 3-course meals awaiting you, the budget carrier is reliable, good value, and has lots of flights operating daily.
You can't visit India without hopping on at least 1 train, it's part of the India experience bingo, along with seeing the Taj Mahal. Traveling by train is one of the best ways of seeing the real India. If you're looking to travel a long distance, you can book an overnight sleeper train, which we have a few tips for. Firstly, buy the best ticket you can afford. A first-class seat with air conditioning may seem unnecessary, but trust us that it's worth it. Buy your ticket in advance to ensure you get a good seat, and take a padlock with you so that no one can get into your luggage. Your bags won't always be right next to you, so make sure you keep valuables on your person.
For shorter distances, buses, tuk-tuks, and taxis are some of the best modes of transport. Now, there are taxi companies operating in India that are completely female-owned and operated, which are for solo females and female travelers. The most popular company is Womencabs which operates in several cities including Bangalore and Mumbai.
How Long Do You Need In India?
As the 7th largest country in the world, you could travel India for years without seeing all of its treasures. With that in mind, the longer you can travel, the better. If you can spare a few months, you'll create an epic catalog of memories not easily forgotten.
If you have less than 3 weeks to explore, we'd recommend heading elsewhere. Check out our inspiration page for destinations that might be more suited to your time frame.
If you have 3 weeks, don't try to explore the whole country. In fact, don't try to see everything if you have any amount of time under 6-8 months dedicated to traveling India. With just 3 weeks to spare, you should pick 1 or 2 destinations to dive into head first.
If you have a couple of months, you'll be able to explore a larger region, and if you're planning to hang around for at least 6 months, you'll really feel the benefit of being able to fully explore most of the country.
Best Places For Solo Female Travel In India
There are so many highlights that it would be impossible to list them all, but we think these are the 5 best places for solo female travel in India.
Goa
Goa is the perfect place to ease you into the culture shock that India can bring to some people traveling from the western world. Goa sits on the southwestern coast and is known for its laid-back lifestyle and beautiful beaches. Don't think this slice of paradise is only for sunbathers, there are plenty of other things to do including the famous Saturday night street market, the Mangeshi Temple, and the tumbling Dudhsagar Falls, which translates to 'sea of milk' and is over 300 meters high.
If it is the beach lifestyle you're interested in, Calangute Beach and Palolem Beach are well known for their soft, sandy shores.
Kasol
If the relaxed, hippie lifestyle of Goa suits you to a tee, Kasol is another must-visit on our list of female travel destinations. Perfect for adventure lovers, Kasol sits in the Parvati Valley, situated in the Himachal Pradesh district of Northern India. It is a hub for backpackers and trekkers which makes it a friendly spot for solo female travelers.
The town is made up of reggae bars, cute cafés, and wondrous flea markets, and is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit in India.
Often referred to as 'mini Israel' due to the sheer number of Israeli immigrants living in the town, the main highlights of Kasol include the Manikaran hot springs, the Parvati Shangri-la Festival, the abundance of Israeli inspired food, and the many hikes around the area.
Ladakh
Ladakh is often pinned not only as one of the best places for female solo travel in India but for anyone thinking of heading to this part of the world.
The word 'paradise' gets thrown around a lot when talking about Ladakh and it's not hard to see why. When you think of India, you might have images of bustling, colorful cities with tuk-tuks hurtling through the streets at an alarming speed flashing through your mind. What you probably don't picture is the snow-capped mountains and tranquil lakes that make up Ladakh. When exploring the area, you can let go of any worries and allow yourself to be completely immersed in the nature all around you.
You don't need to worry so much about pickpockets or being catcalled while in Ladakh. The town is friendly to visitors, and with so much room in this mountain range for everyone, it's easy to keep your distance and enjoy the solitude. Saying that, it's important to implore good safety measures wherever you are.
You could spend months in Ladakh without managing to cover it all, but some of the top attractions are Pangong Tso lake, the Chadar Trek, which is well-loved by adventure enthusiasts as it goes across frozen rivers, and the Spituk monastery. Whilst in Ladakh, you can also enjoy a mash-up of different cuisines, including Tibetan, Chinese, Korean, and of course, Indian. One of the most popular local dishes is Thukpa, which is a noodle soup with any combination of meat and veggies thrown in.
Lavasa
Indian and Italian don't typically go hand in hand. Italy is known for its sophistication and rolling hills full of grapevines, whereas India is famous for being a joyful explosion of color and noise. However, Lavasa is a private, planned city that's been inspired by the Italian town, Portofino and is located near Pune.
It's not all pastel buildings and twinkling lakes, Lavasa has issues when it comes to the maintenance of the city due to financial troubles which means it's currently unfinished. However, as a tourist, this isn't something you need to worry about, and you can sit back and relax in the lush greenery, or explore any of the top sites.
Warasgaon Lake is an attraction by itself and is the focal point in the city of Lavasa. Whilst you can enjoy a relaxing stroll around its shores, it's most known for a whole host of water activities, including jet skiing and kayaking. Other points of interest include the Temghar Dam, the Lavasa Nature Trail, and the Bamboosa bamboo factory.
Pondicherry/Puducherry
Known by 2 names, the city of Pondicherry sits on the southeast coast of India and is the backdrop of many movies, including the 2012 multi-award-winning, Life Of Pi.
Pondicherry sticks out like a sore thumb among other Indian cities, due to being a French colonial settlement until 1954. It's now a Union Territory town, but the French influence is still heavy to this day, especially in the French Quarter.
Dubbed the 'French capital of India', Pondicherry could easily be mistaken as a city nestled deep in the heart of Europe, The city is full of quaint boutiques, ancient churches, and a lakeside promenade.
With a plethora of beaches and more culture than you can shake a stick at, Pondicherry really is one of the best places for solo female travel in India and marries nature, history, and the arts together.
An unlikely fact about Pondicherry is that it is one of the best spots for scuba diving in the whole country, with clear waters and an abundance of marine life. Some sites worth visiting include Ousteri Lake, the Tamil quarters, and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
More Of The Best Places In India For Solo Travelers
There are so many destinations worthy of a spot on our list of the best places for solo female travel in India, that it didn't seem fair to leave them out. Other great spots to visit as a lone traveler include Sikkim, Udaipur, Coorg, Darjeeling, Spiti Valley, Kaziranga, and Jaisalmer.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're looking to explore religious sites, experiment with new cuisines, get swept up in the hustle and bustle of city life, be revived by mirrored lakes and impressive mountain ranges, or even go scuba diving, India truly does have it all and is one of the most enriching female travel destinations. If you choose to make India your next solo adventure, be sure to tell us all about it and share your tips and pics in our community, where we love to hear about your experiences!