Best places for a female traveling solo in India

20 Best places for a female traveling solo in India

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Traveling solo in India is still not very popular and I come across people who raise their brow when I mention about traveling alone in India. I still remember my first solo trip 12 years back, it happened because I was determined to travel. In those days solo female travel in India was not very common. I traveled alone because I had two options, one I cancel the trip, the second I go alone. I chose to travel on my own, it was nerve-wracking because I was nervous but it turned out one of my best trips. That was the beginning of my traveling solo in India.

After that, I took many solo trips across India and fortunately never had any bad experience. Once in a while, I like to be on my own but I like to travel with other. Over the years I realized that traveling alone is better than traveling with incompatible people. I am not one of those who made “Solo female travel” a fashion statement or women empowerment thing. For me its one way of traveling depending upon the situation.

I have come across many girls and women who don’t travel because they don’t have someone to accompany them or plan a trip for them or they don’t know where to travel.

A solo female can travel to any place but some places are more friendly and safe for traveling solo in India. The big question is which are good places for a female traveling alone in India?

Here I also like to mention that if you hire a cab for the whole trip and travel from hotel to sightseeing then you not able to experience the culture. Secondly, every solo traveler doesn’t have unlimited resources and budget.

Also read Travel tips for India

I have come across many suggestions and posts where best places to travel alone were not the kind of places which have good public transport system. I consider a place good for solo female travel which gives you the freedom to do things in many ways. Where you have the option to do things as you wish without depending on one thing. A beautiful place or popular place doesn’t qualify for solo traveling.

After traveling for so many years, I am listing some of my favorite solo female travel destinations in India. These are good for anyone traveling alone in India, these are safe as well as budget friendly. Here are some very useful tips for planning your first solo trip.

These are my 20 favorite destinations for traveling solo in India

Shimla In Himachal Pradesh

Shimla is popularly known as the queen of hills and its one of the most popular hill station of North of India. Though it gets crowded in summer months with tourists coming from across India.

I have been to Shimla twice, once with a female friend and another time alone, I felt safe here.
The mall road is crowded most of the time and open area in front of Christ church is always full of tourists clicking photographs. I like to sit on the benches near the church and enjoyed my time watching the activities here. No one ever pushed me to buy a souvenir or take a ride on a horse, which I noticed was popular among tourists.

The Mall Road, The Ridge, Christ Church, and Jakhoo temple are the most popular places to visit in Shimla. A half-day trip to Kufri and Mashorba from Shimla is one of my favorites.

How to travel to Shimla

There are direct buses and flights from Delhi to Shimla.
But my favorite mode of travel is by train. There are many trains from Delhi to Kalka and from Kalka to Shimla, I always traveled by toy train. Most of the trains running from Delhi to Kalka are connected with toy trains going to Shimla. These trains wait for the main train’s arrival.Christ church Shimla with clouds

Manali in Himachal Pradesh

It’s also known as Hippie town of India. The main Manali is popular among honeymooners and family travelers. The old Manali is popular among western and solo travelers because of its culture. Old Manali and Manali are separated by Beas river and only 2 to 3 km apart.

The Manali was on Hippie’s trail in ’70s, over the decades it evolved and now it’s a safe place for all kind of travelers.

Hidimba Devi temple, Manu temple, Mall Road, and Salong valley are popular places to visit in Manali. Catching a trout in Beas river is allowed after permission, it’s one of the most fun activity.
Also, take a day trip to Rohtang pass to enjoy the snow and activities around it. The ride to Rohtang pass and surrounding areas is mesmerizing.

I had the most diverse food here. The international cuisine, which is mainly continental and Italian is must eat when in old Manali area.

How to travel to Manali

The best way to travel by bus or by car from Delhi. Manali is approximately 600 Km from Delhi and takes around 14 hours by road. Most of the buses start from Delhi in the evening and reach Manali next morning around 9.00 AM
If you are in Chandigarh then take a bus to Manali, which is 300 Km. There are frequent buses between two cities.Manali

Rishikesh in Uttrakhand

It’s the spiritual destination of India but other than that there is a lot more to see and do here. Rishikesh is very popular among people looking for peaceful surroundings, religious environment, spirituality and yoga retreats. The atmosphere in Rishikesh is surreal and I came across many solo travelers who were staying here for days to weeks.

Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula, Parmarth Niketan, Geeta Bhavan, and river Ganga are some of the main places to visit in Rishikesh. Other than this I went for river rafting in Ganga above Shivpuri. Adventure activities like bungee jumping are also done near Rishikesh by trained professionals.

Rishikesh is a perfect amalgamation of spirituality, peace and adventure activities. The cafes next to Ganga are the best place to enjoy food with the view.

There are many hotels on the banks of the river Ganga and the water is quite clean here. In Rishikesh, I saw all kinds of accommodation from luxury retreats to hostels for budget travelers. The environment of Rishikesh is very friendly for a solo female traveler.

How to travel to Rishikesh

There are trains from all major cities of India to Haridwar. Rishikesh is only 25 Km from Haridwar. Buses and taxis are available from Haridwar to Rishikesh.
There are direct buses also for Rishikesh from Delhi.
Dehradun airport is 20 Km from Rishikesh and can be reached by taxi in 35 minutes.Rishikesh

Amritsar in Punjab

This is one of my favorite cities in north India. Situated on the India Pakistan border, Amritsar has a lot to offer to religious/spiritual travelers as well as to the people looking for some fun activities.

The food of Amritsar is another reason, why I love this city so much. Nothing can beat the yummy food you get here. The vegetarian and nonvegetarian food of Amritsar is not for calories conscious people. It’s a safe place to travel solo but the only disadvantage of solo travel is that you can’t try many dishes if on a short trip.

The cloth market of Amritsar has lots to offer to a female traveler, it’s shoppers paradise for Indian woman clothing.

My favorite place in Amritsar is Golden Temple which is also known as Harmindar Sahib. Whenever I go to Amritsar, this is the first place I visit before going anywhere else.

Other must-visit places of Amritsar are Jalliawala Bagh and Durgiana Mandir. An evening trip to Wagah Attari border for flag-lowering ceremony is a must-attend activity when in Amritsar. It’s a fun-filled activity charged with patriotism. Wagah Border is 35 Km from Amritsar.

How to travel to Amritsar

It is well connected by train from all major Indian cities.
The International airport of Raja Sansi in Amritsar has flights from all over India and many international destinations.Golden Temple Amritsar overview

Dharamshala and Mcleodganj in Himachal Pradesh

Dharamshala is a major town in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Mcleodganj is the upper part of Dharamshala and is also known as “Little Lhasa” because many Tibetan people settled here after His holiness Dalai Lama made it his home in exile.
Dharamshala was a prominent place in Himachal but in the last 3 decades, Mcleodganj attracted more tourists.

Dharamshala is a great place to stay and you can view snow-clad Dhauladhar ranges and here you can explore the cedar forests. The Kangra Fort is also close by and a good place to see the history of the region.

Whereas Mcleodganj is more popular and tourist-friendly as well a safe place for a solo female traveler. The culture and the feel of the Mcleodganj are good. The main town is settled around the road leading to the Dalai Lama Temple. It is the main market with many hotels, shops, and restaurants on both sides.

The areas a few minutes away from the main market are more peaceful because there is no hustle and bustle of the main market.
The most popular places to visit here are Dalai Lama temple, St.John Church, Dal Lake, Bhagsu Nag Temple, Namgyal Monastery, and Naddi viewpoint.

If you have time and like trekking then a trek to and stay at Trinud peak is must do a thing. There are camps at the top and you can easily arrange a stay in a small tent for yourself with the help of your hotel in advance. It’s quite safe on top and at night the milky-way looks amazing.

How to travel to Dharamshala and Mcleodganj

The most comfortable and safe way to travel by a Volvo bus from Delhi. Most of these buses are overnight (You can also choose HPSTC bus for day travel). Most buses start from Majnu ka Tilla around 6.30 PM. The bus arrives in next morning around 7.00 AM in McLeodganj.
The nearest airport in Gaggal is 18 Km.Triund

Udaipur in Rajasthan

This white city of Rajasthan or as most people call it the city of lakes is very friendly for solo travelers. If you are traveling alone or with someone, no one is bothered. I have met many solo travelers exploring the monuments and bazaars of Udaipur on their own. Local people are very welcoming because tourism is one of the main business here.

There are many places to see in Udaipur but my favorites are City Palace, Bangor ki Haveli, Jagdish Temple, Jag Mandir, Karni Mata ropeway and Lake Pichola.

I also love to travel to the famous Kumbhalgarh Fort and Ranakpur’s Jain temples from Udaipur.
The history and architecture are mesmerizing, the calmness of Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar lake in the middle of Udaipur makes it a must-visit destination for a solo traveler in India.

Udaipur has one of the best hotels in India on the banks of Lake Pichola. If someone is looking for a luxury hotel experience then there is no place better than Udaipur in Rajasthan.

How to travel to Udaipur

It’s very well connected with all major cities in India by train and air. The frequency of flights and trains to Udaipur is very good.
Udaipur is well connected by road with all small and big towns in Rajasthan by Rajasthan Roadway buses.Boat in Lake Pichola Udaipur

Pushkar in Rajasthan

Pushkar is a small sleepy town 14 Km from Ajmer. The town of Pushkar is settled around the lake, which the main attraction. The main bazaar of Pushkar is on both sides of the road starting near RTDC’s hotel and going to the Pushkar Camel Fairground.

During the annual Pushkar Fair, this small town buzz with lots of activities. Local people from surrounding areas, camel seller from villages and tourist flock the town in equal number. At the time of fair, it gets almost impossible to get any kind of accommodation if you have not booked in advance.

The shops of sides of the road sell the most beautiful and colorful items, which are made by locals. If you like colorful traditional stuff then this is the market for you but you need to bargain hard to get a good price.

Pushkar is a holy city so only vegetarian food is available. The food here is very diverse, you can get a simple thali meal here and at the same shop, you will get wood fire pizza or Falafel.

Brahma temple, Pushkar Lake, Savitri temple on hill and camel safaris are must-visit places and things to do when in Pushkar.
I always visited Pushkar and Ajmer together.

How to travel to Pushkar

Ajmer is well connected by train and buses from all major Indian cities as well as with small towns of Rajasthan. Pushkar is only 14 Km from Ajmer and there are regular buses. You can easily get a cab also from Ajmer station or bus stand for Pushkar.Pushkar lake ghat

Jodhpur in Rajasthan

It is one of those places where I traveled in my initial days of traveling with friends. Last year when I felt like going to a place for 3 days I decided to take a short trip to Jodhpur. I booked a train ticket on an overnight train from Delhi and arrived in Jodhpur the next morning.

I stayed in a Haveli in the old part of Jodhpur. The Mehrangarh Fort was a few minutes walking distances and entered from the “other” gate of fort instead of the main gate. Due to this, I saw those parts of the fort, which most tourists miss because they didn’t realize that there is more than a high rise fort and a museum.

The important places to visit in Jodhpur are Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhavan, Ghanta Ghar, and Mandor gardens.

The half-day village safari to the close by Bishnoi village is something which I recommend to everyone visiting Jodhpur.
Zip lining is also available in Mehrangarh fort, from here you can see the overview of Blue city of Jodhpur.

I totally felt safe when I traveled back to my hotel by an autorickshaw from a restaurant near Ghanta Ghar after dinner.

How to travel to Jodhpur

It is very well connected by train from all major Indian cities.
The bus connectivity is also good and there are frequent buses from different parts of Rajasthan and Delhi.
There are flights to Jodhpur from Jaipur, Delhi, and Mumbai.Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort at Night

Nawalgarh and Ramgarh in Rajasthan

It was another spontaneous trip when I decided to go to the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. I wanted to go to Shekhawati to see the beautiful fresco Havelis. This area of Rajasthan is also known as an open art gallery.

I was trying to plan a trip with my family and friends but nothing worked out for a long time due to different reasons. So, I decided to take a four-day trip and booked a train ticket for Nawalgarh from Delhi.

Nawalgarh and Ramgarh are full of beautiful haveli’s, cenotaphs, water wells with sitting area around them and some temples. All these structures have colorful paintings on their walls and roofs.
Shekhawati is still not commercial in comparison to Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, very fewer people come here.

How to Travel to Shekhawati

There is a direct train to Nawalgarh from Delhi twice a week. Jhunjhunu railway station is 27 Km from the town of Mandawa. Churu railway station is 22 Km from Ramgarh town.
These towns are connected by Rajasthan roadways buses.
Jaipur is 100 to 120 Km from these towns of Shekhawati.Poddar Haveli Nawalgarh Rajasthan

Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh

I was skeptical and hesitant to travel to Varanasi alone. So for many years, I looked for the company but somehow nothing materialized. I went to Varanasi on Dev Diwali, which is the busiest time of the year. I read and saw so many beautiful photographs of Dev Diwali of Varanasi and I was itching to see it myself.

It was not easy to make up my mind to go solo to Varanasi. Around 2 months before the Dev Diwali, I booked my train tickets for Varanasi from Delhi. Well, air tickets were cheaper at that time but I was not sure if I can travel alone so I booked train tickets, in case if I have to change of mind then I will lose the minimum amount.

Two weeks before the trip I got a bit adventurous and booked a hostel instead of a hotel. That was my first-time hostel experience and thankfully it was a good experience.
I did a few walking trips with my hostels. Later on, went to Sarnath and explored the ghats of Ganga in Varanasi on my own.

Varanasi is chaotic and nothing can prepare you for it. I can’t compare my trip to Varanasi with any other place I went to India. Despite everything, traffic, crowd due to festival and garbage in narrow lanes, it was a good solo trip.

Ghats of Ganga, Kashi Vishwanath temple, Ramnagar Fort, Bhairo Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman temples and Jain temple are important places to see in Varanasi.

Sarnath from Varanasi is good for a half or full-day trip.
Other than that I went for the food walk in Varanasi, explore the old markets of Varanasi, did boat rides, walked from one ghat to another and attend an evening aarti on Dashwamedh ghat.

How to travel to Varanasi

It is very well connected with by train to all major cities of India.
There are several flights for Varanasi from Delhi and other parts of India.
I personally not recommend bus travel to Varanasi.Ganga Aarti Varanasi

Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh

The laidback town of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh is another safe place to travel alone in India. The temples of Khajuraho are popular for the erotic sculptures on their walls. Interestingly only 10% of sculptures are erotic in nature still these temples are known for erotica and less appreciated for beautiful carvings.

Khajuraho temples are beautifully carved and one of the important world heritage sites declared by UNESCO.

Khajuraho is a good place to travel solo in India and I have come across many solo travelers in the city. Some of them riding scooters and some bicycles from one group of temples to another.
The temples in Khajuraho are in groups and it’s quite easy to go from one place to another. Outside the temples “guides” will approach you to show the temple, just ignore them and explore the temples as you like.

Apart from a different group of temples visit in Khajuraho also visit the Panna National Park and Panna diamond mines, which are only 40 Km from Khajuraho.
There are some hostels in Khajuraho but hotels in Khajuraho are quite economical.

How to travel to Khajuraho

It is connected with Indian railways though there are limited trains to Khajuraho for Delhi and Mumbai.
There is an airport in Khajuraho and it’s connected with direct flights from Delhi & Varanasi.Khajuraho temple sculptures

Goa

It’s also known as the party capital of India and considered the safest place for a solo female traveler. If you are not sure where to go alone in India then take a trip to Goa. It’s one of the most popular places for solo international travelers. The culture, beaches and laid-back atmosphere of Goa make it a perfect destination for a holiday.

Rant a scooter in Goa and you can explore all the popular tourist places on your own. If you have time go to some offbeat places in Goa or take a day trip to nearby Divar and Chorao Islands. Or if you don’t want to do anything then relax on the beaches of Goa.

If you are a first-time traveler to Goa then visit the churches of South Goa, Panaji, temples in north Goa, spice gardens of Goa, go for a trek to Dudhsagar. Or relax at beaches in north Goa or may be in south Goa. Though I prefer North Goa as there are many markets and activities. If you don’t want to get stuck with popular places then visit some offbeat places in Goa.

How to travel to Goa

Goa is very well connected by trains coming from or passing from Mumbai and also en route trains coming from south India.
The airport of Goa is very well connected with all major Indian cities and some international cities.
It is also connected with Volvo buses from neighboring states.Water sports at Calangute Beach Goa

Hampi in Karnataka

There is something magical about the Hampi which is I can’t explain in words. Hampi is a popular destination among backpackers and western travelers. I can also say it’s the Goa of Karnataka.

Though Hampi is a small town rather I should say Hampi is a village. Local people are accustomed to tourists and the best thing is here you don’t need to think about what to wear in India. Generally, when you go to a small town or village in India, it’s advisable that you cover up to avoid the attention. In Hampi, there is nothing like that you can wear shorts or a short dress or spaghetti top and no one will pay any attention.

The ruins of bazaars, temples, palaces and many other historical monuments from the Vijayanagar empire are the main attraction in Hampi. These ruins and structures are scattered around Hampi in large areas. Other than the ruins Vijaya Vittala Temple, Matunga Hill, Virupaksha Temple, Hazaar Rama temple, Ganesha Temple, Hampi Bazaar, Vithala Temple and Ugra Narasimha Temple are some of the important places to visit in Hampi.

The large boulders scattered around Hampi gives a mysterious feel to the place.

Hampi is divided into two parts one is the main bazaar area in the shadow of Virupaksha Temple and other is across the Tungabhadra river. The across the river area is more of a backpacker’s places with cheap accommodation. But I must admit that this area is very peaceful and where ever you stay, you will find yourself surrounded by nature. There are green paddy fields all across.

How to Travel to Hampi

Hospet is 14 Km from Hampi. All the trains and buses drop you to Hospet and from here take a cab or autorickshaw for Hampi.
There are regular buses and trains to Hospet from Bangalore, Goa, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.Hampi overview from Tungabhadra river

Hyderabad in Telangana

I am sure to many people Hyderabad may sound a strange selection for a solo female traveler in India. There is nothing like that, you may think it’s an old city with old culture but no. The old city of Hyderabad is safe and I never felt strange traveling alone. Yes, I have one suggestion that it is better to dress in regular salwar kurta so that you should not stand out in the crowd screaming “tourist”.

I really like Hyderabad for its beautiful monuments and variety of food you get here.
Charminar, Laad Bazaar, Chowmahalla Palace, Falaknuma Palace, Hussain Sagar Lake, and Golconda fort are some of the must-visit places in Hyderabad.

If you have time then go to Ramoji Rao film city for a day trip, which one of my friends says is at par with Singapore’s universal studios.

If you are a foodie then Hyderabad is a paradise for you. It’s not only the biryani but there are so many other things to eat in Hyderabad.

How to travel to Hyderabad

It is very well connected by the Indian railway’s network with all major cities of India.
The Hyderabad airport is connected with most of the Indian cities and many international cities. Charminar in Hyderabad

Kochi in Kerala

I must say that Kochi or as they say Cochin is one of my favorite places. I am not very fond of Ernakulum but I like the Fort Kochi area. The monuments here are not very big or grand but there is a charm in this sleepy city.

Like many other places, it is a place more about feel and experience. Walking in old fort Kochi has its own charm. If you are walking alone no one will pay any attention or disturb you to sell or show anything.

The Kerala backwaters start from Kochi so one can experience a bit of it here along with the beaches. Fort Kochi is an amalgamation of old with the new. The food culture in Fort Kochi is very diverse, you can have a good continental meal and at the same place, you can have some of Kerala’s cuisine also.
Chinese fishing nets, Mattancherry Palace, Pardesi Synagogue, Cherai beach, St Francis Church, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Willington Island, Bolgatty Palace, and Jew town are some of the popular places to visit in Kochi.

Taking an evening boat cruise which takes you to Arabian sea through a small part of backwaters to see the sunset is one of the favorite activity for me. Kathakali dance performance is another favorite thing to spend an evening in Kochi.

How to Travel to Kochi

It is one of the very well connected by Indian railways. Kochi’s railway station is known as Ernakulam.
Kochi has a national and international airport, there are frequent flights here from all major Indian and many international cities.Walking in Fort Kochi

Alleppey in Kerala

It is popular for the backwaters and base point to explore the backwaters of Kerala. Alleppey is a place to experience nature’s beauty and explore the culture of God’s own country Kerala.

Alleppey is on the banks of Vembanad lake, which is India’s longest freshwater lake running parallel to the Arabian sea. The biodiversity of this area is so unique that UNESCO has declared it the part of World heritage site.

There is an intricate network of backwater canals around Alleppey. A solo traveler can explore the Alleppey backwaters alone without any issue or can travel from Alleppey to Kollam in a tourist boat.

Vembanad Lake, Allapuzza beach, Marari beach and bird sanctuary of Kumarakom are main places to visit in Alleppey. Other than these boating or Canoeing or staying in a houseboat are few things to do when in Alleppey.

Here I ate fresh seafood and traditional Kerala dishes prepared with fresh ingredients.

How to travel to Alleppey

Kochi airport to Alleppey is 80 Km. It is very well connected by buses and trains with Kochi. More about train travel in India and safety tips.
All the trains going to Trivandrum or coming from Trivandrum pass through Alleppey railway station.Shikara boats in Kerala Backwaters

Chennai in Tamilnadu & Pondicherry

These two cities have a special place in my solo travel journey because I had my first solo holidays in Chennai & Pondicherry. As I mentioned earlier my solo trips are not out of choice, it was more about travel or not to travel. Chennai might not be the place to have my first traveling alone but I must say I had a wonderful time here despite some initial hiccups. I walked on the road at midnight but felt safe.

I did some fabulous sari shopping in Chennai and visited the famous Marina beach.

While in Chennai also take a day trip to Mamallapuram, Perambadur, and Kanchipuram or maybe stay in Mamallapuram for a night.

Pondicherry is 150 Km from Chennai and very well connected by road. There are direct buses every 30 minutes and the road conditions are very good for driving.

The culture of the French colony in Pondicherry or the French quarter as it is also known popularly is very different from the main Pondicherry city. The buildings are made in the French style and roads have French names. Roads are clean and for a moment I felt if I am in some other country.

Auroville, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Promenade beach, Basilica of Sacred Heart of Jesus and French memorial are some of the best places to visit in Pondicherry.
If you are a foodie and like to explore different cuisine then it is the place to eat authentic French food.

How to travel to Chennai and Pondicherry

Chennai is connected with all major cities by train.
There are several flights to Chennai from all major Indian airports and is also connected with some international cities.Maitre Mandir Pondicherry

Ooty and Coonoor in Tamilnadu

These are twin tea town in South of India are good for a weekend trip in summer months when the temperature is high in plains. I have not planned to visit the Ooty and Coonoor from Delhi for a weekend trip. I was traveling to Tirupur for some personal work and my travel bug started itching to explore a place I never been to. That’s how my solo trip to twin tea town of Tamilnadu happened.

Another reason for choosing Ooty and Coonoor was Nilgiri mountain railways as I love the feel and experience of the heritage toy trains.

All the trains to Ooty depart in the morning from Mettupalayam, so I have two options either travel by taxi or take a bus. After traveling on my own to many places, I like to experience local things. I decided to travel by bus instead of taxi. The road journey is much faster as compared to train though it is less scenic in comparison.

Doddabetta Peak, Ooty Botanical Gardens, Sim’s Park, Coonoor Tea Estate, Lamb’s Rock, Dolphin’s Nose, Wax World, Ooty Lake, Rose Garden and thread garden in Ooty and Coonoor are popular places to visit.

I like the feel of hill stations of India and one of my favorite thing to do is walking & exploring at a slow pace.

For the return journey, I traveled from Ooty to Mettupalayam by Nilgiri Mountain railways, which was one of the things I wanted to do during my this trip. Nilgiri mountain railway is slow but it was a fantastic journey, which I recommend anyone traveling to Ooty.

How to travel to Ooty and Coonoor

Mettupalayam is connected with some of the south Indian cities by train, while Coimbatore is connected with all major cities in India.
Coimbatore is connected by air with all metro cities of India. From here go to Mettupalayam if taking a toy train for Ooty or Coonoor.
There are regular buses from Coimbatore bus station for Ooty.Coonoor

Shillong in Meghalaya

Meghalaya’s capital Shillong is one of the most popular places to visit in the northeast of India. Shillong is in Khasi hills and most of the people here belong to the Khasi community. The Khasis follow the matriarchal culture, where a woman is head of the family and after marriage man moves to the woman’s house.

In markets, I saw many women running the business. Due to all this, the culture of Shillong is quite different from other parts of India and it’s a safe place for traveling solo in India.
The music, especially the rock culture is an important part of Shillong and in almost every restaurant, I came across live music performance.

Umami lake, Elephant falls, Bara Pani, Ward Lake, Shillong viewpoint, Don Bosco Museum, Lady Hydari Park and Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians are some of the popular places to visit in Shillong.

A day trip to Cherrapunjee, Asia’s cleaned village Mawlynnong and living root bridges are must from Shillong.

How to travel to Shillong

The nearest railway station and airport is in Guwahati, which is 100 km from Shillong.
Guwahati is very well connected with all major cities of India by train. The Meghalaya Transport Corporation buses operate from Guwahati to Shillong.Overview of Shillong

The Andaman Islands

When I think of Andaman islands the picturesque beaches, clear sea water and history of pre-independence India comes to my mind. All these things make Andaman’s islands a perfect choice for a laid-back holiday away from the hustle bustle of the city.

I was a bit skeptical about traveling to these far away islands from Delhi. Yes, far away because Andaman is more than 2,500 Km from Delhi. Like many other solo trips of mine, I went to Andaman alone because I could not find a companion.

Portblair is the biggest island of Andaman and all other islands are scattered around. The infamous Cellular jail is in Portblair and now it’s a monument of national importance due to the history associated with it.

Ross Island, Baratang Island, Viper Island, Chatham Island, Barren Island, Jolly buoy island, Neil Island and Havelock island are some of the main islands around Portblair. These islands are easily reached by boat.

Havelock island is one of the most popular islands of Andaman and Nicobar islands. The pristine beaches and clean sea water of Havelock island make it a popular destination in Andaman. The Radha Nagar beach on Havelock island is declared Asia’s best beach.
Andaman islands are my favorite beach destination in India.

How to travel to Andaman Island

These islands are 1500 Km from mainland India. The most convenient and fast method to travel to Andaman islands is by air. There are direct flights from Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata to Portblair.
There is a ship every week for Portblair from Chennai and Kolkata, which take approximately 3 to 5 days to arrive at Andaman.Havlock sea beach in Andaman Islands

These are some of the favorite solo female travel destinations in India based on my personal experience. If you are traveling solo in India and have any questions, please feel free to ask.

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29 thoughts on “20 Best places for a female traveling solo in India”

  1. What a great post! I’ve got my eye on India and want to plan an itinerary in the next few years. Safety is so important to me so getting a female perspective on the country is amazing. Luckily most of the places I have on my radar are on your list. YAY!

  2. This is a super helpful post. I sooooo want to go to India. People have told me not to go alone, so I was going to go with a tour group first for 2 weeks and then go off on my own for another 2 weeks.

    1. I agree there are so many stories about India being dangerous for female travelers. If you take some basic precautions then it ok to travel alone. The main issue according to me is cultural difference, if that can be understood and taken care of then I guess it’s easy to travel. It’s good idea to familiarize yourself with India by doing a group tour initially.

  3. This is a great post. I loved travelling India by myself but there were a few moments wearing a fake wedding ring helped lol. Would love to return, you have listed many places I havent been to yet!!

  4. Loved the post and the list of destinations you have shared for solo women traveling in India. Have been to most of the places, and not only they are beautiful but each offers something so unique to its travelers.. be it Goa which has so much more than the beaches or Udaipur for its architecture or Pondicherry for its tranquility and aura! Thanks for a reminder of making a trip to Alleppy, Hampi, Andamans and Khajuraho. They have been on our list for a while! Like the way you share your perspective.. “.. solo trips are not out of choice, it was more about travel or not to travel…” That is so true!

    1. Thanks a lot 🙂
      There are so many good places to travel in India. I am sure you will like Alleppey, Hampi, Andaman and Khajuraho. These places are so different from each other and so much to offer.
      If you go to Khajuraho then also visit Orchha.

  5. Aaaw, your article is bringing back so many great memories, I really miss India! Great list of places, I’ve yet to see many of them, but Jodhpur and Varanasi really stole my heart!

  6. I’ve traveled solo but honestly India has scared due to some scary news in the past. I think we don’t know what we don’t know so a list like this is useful. Otherwise I’d be tempted to just go to the big cities or popular places like Goa (on my bucket list!). Thank you also for suggestions on how to get there.

    1. I agree with you that there is so much negative in news. Definitely some bad incidents happened in past and this even scare us also. That’s why I chose some of the safest places when travel solo and using some basic tips always helps.

  7. This is such a great post! I only have personal experience travelling solo in Rajasthan, Goa and Kerala but can absolutely endorse your suggestions for the cities you’ve mentioned in these states. Of the three, I found Kerala to be a lot more friendly in the sense that nobody bothered me there, which was a stark contrast to Goa and Rajasthan where I was constantly being asked to buy things/get in a tuktuk etc.

    I really hope your post helps put a lot of women’s minds at rest about visiting India alone. It’s such a beautiful country, I’d recommend it to anybody!

    1. Thanks a lot 🙂
      I totally agree with you that Kerala is absolutely no fuss place. No one push you to buy and you won’t see beggars asking you for things.
      There are so many interesting things in India but news put off many people from traveling to India. I tried to consolidate a list based on my personal travel experiences.

  8. Beautiful photos. I have to say that I had to take a second look at the one of Jodhpur because at first glance it looked like the top part of the mountain was floating. LOL. It’s lovely to hear that India is relatively safe for single solo travelers. While I don’t do enough of it, it’s always good to have places like this to recommend to my friends who are and it looks like you’ve put a lot of thought and consideration into the places you pick.

  9. This is an excellent and detailed post. I’ve never been to India, and honestly would be nervous to go alone, but commend those that do! Manali and Amritsar sound wonderful and very safe too. Will bookmark this for if I ever go (but with my partner!)

  10. Thanks for the tips on traveling solo thru India. I have always been to scared to travel solo in India because what we see on the news. I do know it’s not like that everywhere in India but still…
    Thats why I love that you made this post!
    I have pinned this post so I can find it when I ever do travel to India.
    Btw your photo’s are amazing!

    1. I agree, there are so many news about women safety in India. At some places one needs to be extra careful.
      Thanks a lot for liking pics 🙂

  11. Thanks for listing all the great and beautiful places of India where ladies can feel safe. There are numerous places in North like Dharamshala, Rishikesh, Shimla, many more from Himachal and in south too like whole of Kerala, Andamans, Chennai and many more too. Great you have listed that how to reach to those places which are not directly connected by flights. You have taken beautiful shots of Incredible India.

  12. Great post. Thanks for providing a detailed article. I really enjoyed reading this blog. I like and appreciate your work. Keep up the good work. Thank you so much for sharing such an awesome blog…

  13. Solo traveling is not an easy journey for female. Before the travel prepares about the destination. You shared the list for female solo traveling is awesome and helpful. Rishikesh is the best destination. I like this place. Great blog. Thanks!

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