Just wanted some thoughts on the general safety of a lone female traveler in india. i've travelled by myself for 3 months in europe, but worry that india may be out of my league--alone at least. any thoughts/comments/suggestions?

I'm going to India alone in the fall. :cheers: From what I've read/heard about from other travelers, it's not at all impossible. But you will need to be prepared to be hassled a bit more than usual, not just for a date but also for "baksheesh"-- money and/or presents.

It's probably a good idea to dress a bit more demurely (but not necessarily like a nun, mind you ;) ). You may even want to consider investing in some Indian-style clothing like a salwar kameez. They're very comfortable and while some of them can look like gunny sacks, a lot of them are really cute and inexpensive, and they're surprisingly cool in the hot weather. However, I do NOT recommend buying a sari and trying to wear that-- they are a BITCH to wrap and pleat, especially if you don't have anyone helping you do it! :unsure:

Get your hands on several different travel guides about India. They will almost always have a section specifically about women traveling alone. I don't normally read those for western countries but for India the information could be invaluable. :)

Where are you planning to go and for how long?

Space Virgin thanks for the response! :thumbup: I'm thinking about going mid-Feb or March of next year. I haven't solidified any plans yet but am getting a horrible itch to get back out and travel--and India has always been very high on my list. I'm not really sure exactly where in India I want to go yet, but if you have any recommendations, I'd appreciate them. Also, I don't have any clue to what kind of money to budget. I've heard it can be done on the cheap, but like I said, I'm just in the beginning stages of planning.

hey... i was curious about this too.. i'm going travelling to India in June and although i'll be with my boyfriend for most of it, the first couple of weeks i'll be alone (he'll be making his way down from nepal). i've had mixed reactions from friends and families about doing the first part alone, but am also quite excited. i've travelled alone to parts of latin america, but it seems such a different travelling experience!! have you been before space virign?

Hi you two !

I've spent a long time in Nepal, not India, but have met dozens of girls who were had travelled alone in India, and the overall mentality toward women from the west is the same.

Like SV said, you will be harassed, and even probably "touched" in trains where overcrowding takes all its meaning ! Based on the cast system, non-hindis are either ranked as the highest cast or lowest (lower than the untouchables), depending on personal believes. And they think that girls from the western world are easy, very very easy. They get this idea from movies and music. That's why sometimes men there behave in such ways with us.

Don't wear short sor over-the-bellybutton cut shirts, nor deep V collars.

Also, there are people who pretend to be your friend, they patiently get you to think so, and trust them. What they do is after a few days of friendly company ask for your "help" ($$$) and disappear... They are very convincing, beware.

I know I'm making it sound very bad out there, but once you know what to stay away from, you will have a great time ! They are one billion, of course some of them are jerks, but you'll meet the people with big hearts also. And India is fascinating. So many different cultures, religions, languages, etc. Still very traditional but opening up to new ways of life.

It takes months to travel through the whole country. If you only have a few weeks, you better concentrate on one area. You'll understand once you're there anyway.

Budget wise : as low as $10 a days is possible, and if you want a more luxurious trip, add a couple of dollars a day.

Has anyone ever lived in India? I'm thinking of studying there for a year. I was scared of the safety and all but the things everyone has said has kind of reassured me. Now what about the food? I love Indian food in the states, but could I tolerate it for a year over there?

rachael,

u will find it a truly amazing experience. i'm indian, in france right now. i've had french freinds working with me in india earlier, and they loved the place and the life.

yes, u may have some difficulty with "real indian food"... but u will adapt quite soon, im sure.

where in india do u plan to study?

do ask more questions if u must...