Is India a safe country to travel?
India is one of the most visited countries by backpackers and travellers worldwide. When exploring Asia, India is undeniably one of the top destinations favoured by globetrotters. However, a common question that comes up is, “Is India a safe country to travel?”
Answering this question isn’t straightforward, as safety often depends on individual experiences. India is a vast and diverse country, with a rich tapestry of landscapes, cultures, cuisines, and states. Every visitor’s experience is unique. Moreover, any country can be unsafe at times. Personally, I didn’t find India particularly unsafe, though there were moments when I was grateful for having planned ahead and staying aware of my surroundings.
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So, how safe is India?
I travelled to India in May for 20 days with P (my boyfriend), and I felt safe throughout our journey. In general, Asia is a relatively safe continent—at least in my experience. I’ve had the most incredible adventures and always felt at home in Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and China. Sometimes I wonder if this is due to the region’s strong religious presence—whether it be Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, or other faiths.
When planning my trip to India, I took into consideration the experiences of friends and fellow travellers. Their stories helped me prepare and stay aware of what could potentially go wrong.
India is an incredibly large and diverse country, perhaps the most diverse I’ve ever visited. It offers a spectacular array of cultures that shift from one region to another, along with local cuisines that vary from north to south. The landscapes are equally mind-blowing—you can find mountains, endless rainforests, stunning beaches, and a melting pot of religions. While I found India to be welcoming and safe, I’ve heard different experiences from friends who travelled there when they were younger.
How Should You Plan to Travel to India?
After travelling to several other countries around the world, I felt it was finally time to visit India and immerse myself in its culture and food. With over 10 years of travel experience to remote places, India was both expected and unexpected, which brings me to an important point: How should you plan a trip to India to ensure safety?
India is an amazing destination, but I wouldn’t recommend it as your first-ever trip to Asia.
This doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone, but I’m glad I didn’t visit India as my first country outside of Europe. You might wonder why. Well, India is the second-most populous country, and if you’re travelling for the first time—especially from a European country or a small town—it can be overwhelming. New Delhi, for example, where most international flights arrive, is a sensory overload. Even for experienced travelers, it can be a lot to take in! (You can read more about my first interaction with New Delhi here.)
Travelling Solo in India—Think Twice
This one might surprise you since I often write about my solo trips. But from what I’ve heard from friends who’ve travelled to India, people might approach you for pictures, talk to you non-stop, and there’s a different concept of personal space.
I imagined countless scenarios based on what people told me. In reality, it wasn’t as intense as I expected, but it was off-season, so there weren’t as many people on the streets during the day. However, friends who travelled during peak season have shared stories of being overwhelmed by the attention.
I wouldn’t recommend travelling solo across India in the same way P and I did. While I have experience travelling alone, as a woman, I wouldn’t embark on the same trip solo—unless it was with an organized group.
That said, I would absolutely travel to India again and solo, but as part of a group or with friends. There are plenty of group trips to India available, and the best part is that you don’t have to miss out on anything just because you’re travelling alone.
Here are some of the best group trips to India that we considered:
If Traveling with Friends, Plan Ahead
Some countries, like Thailand, allow you to go with the flow, but others require a bit more planning—especially if you have limited time and budget. Buying things in advance can help with currency exchange fees, but some things are better arranged in person, such as taxis and transfers. We could have booked everything from our flat in London, but then we would have missed the opportunity to bargain and explore.
For our trip, I booked the first four hotels, cricket match tickets, the overnight train from Jaipur to Mumbai, Taj Mahal entry, and Jaipur’s activities (by the way, we had the best guide in Jaipur!). I used Get Your Guide for most activities, including hiring guides.
Why India Might Not Be the Best First Trip Outside Your Home Country/Continent
This is just my opinion, but I know some friends who had an amazing time in India as their first trip. However, there are things you’ll see that you can’t unsee. For instance, I literally saw someone using the street as a bathroom. You have to be prepared for some truly unexpected sights. India may not be for everyone, but I believe everyone should experience the beauty of this country.
My first-ever trip outside Europe was to Vietnam, which was a bit of a culture shock at the time. Any Asian country is very different from Western countries, especially in Europe. Nevertheless, if you’re the type of person who loves diving into the deep end, go for it! I am sure you will have a good time!
Tips to Avoid Screaming “Tourist” in India
“When in Rome, be Roman.” This is one of my travel mottos. I like to blend in as much as possible when travelling. While I didn’t feel the need to hide my phone in India like I did in Brazil, I did feel the need to cover my shoulders and legs. In any country, it’s important to be mindful of the local culture. I did some research to avoid being disrespectful and learned a few key phrases in case I needed help.
So, Is India a Safe Country to Travel?
If you want a quick answer: YES! I felt safe almost all the time. The only moment I felt uneasy was on my last day in Jaipur when I decided to visit the City Palace alone. I made sure to cover myself so people wouldn’t immediately recognize me as a tourist, which made me feel more comfortable. One thing to note is that in India, tourists are often seen as sources of money. While this is understandable, it can sometimes lead to awkward situations.
India is an amazing country, and I’m very happy to have finally experienced the culture of both North and South India. The food was incredible, and the experiences were unforgettable! 100% recommend you to visit Incredible India.
So those are my tips on safety in India. Overall, I felt very safe and would return in a heartbeat. I hope you have an amazing time there.
Safe Travels!
Miri x
