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Women travellers
India is generally perfectly safe for women travellers, even for those travelling alone. Cities are generally quite OK although if you are out after dark. Staying safe is really a matter of common sense, although a few tips from those who have gone before always help. Below are some tips from a seasoned solo female traveller.
Dress modestly. Long Skirts are better than short shirts, slacks (loose fitting) are better than jeans. Shorts, sleeveless blouses and tight fitting clothing are frowned on.
Walk confidently in the street, as though you were going somewhere, and answer men's glances with a haughty look.
Treat service people impersonally. Don't invite their confidences. Ignore any personal remarks and report bad behaviour to the proper authorities, e.g. hotel and restaurant managers, the police, train conductors.
Don't go home with people you meet on the street - you'll be asked frequently to visit family homes. Most of the time it will be safe, but why take chances?
Lock your hotel room when you are in it. If you don't know who is knocking at your door, phone down or ask who's there before opening it.
Try to arrive in towns before nightfall. If you do arrive late, refuse to share a rickshaw or taxi with the driver's brother, cousin or friend.
Remember, Indians are basically modest and passers-by will be more than willing to help a woman being bothered.
If you want ot go out in the evening, try to arrange a rickshaw during the day to pick you up in the evening. Inform the hotel - even if it is only a hostel -where you are going and when you expect to return. If anything does happen they will know both where the driver is and where you went. Make sure that your driver understands he is to come and pick you up again.
Although you are unlikely to be at any physical risk, one of the wearying aspects of travelling in some parts of India, especially if you are alone, is the (unwanted) attention you will attract from young local men from time to time. If you don't want to be the constant object of what is euphemistically called 'Eve teasing' (harassment in various forms including public groping) then pay attention to local norms of dress and behaviour.
Dressing modestly helps. This means not wearing sleeveless tops, shorts or even jeans. Loose clothing that covers your legs and shoulders is best. The shalwar kameez or traditional Punjabi shirt and pyjama combination is becoming increasingly popular among western woman travellers because it's practical and cheap and, most of all, it's considered respectable attire. A cotton salwar kameez is also surprisingly cool in a hot climate and keeps the burning sun off your skin. A scarf (or the duppatta that is worn with the shalwar kameez) is handy if you intend travelling in Muslim areas (eg Kargil in Ladakh, or parts of Andhra Pradesh ) where women invariably cover their heads.
Many places to eat have separate areas for women and families, usually called the 'family room'. If you are on your own and the main eating area is full of men, and you feel uncomfortable, head for the family room. The food is the same as 'outside' but sometimes you may be charged a little more. The service is generally very good.
On buses, the front section is usually deemed the area unofficially reserved for unaccompanied women, and families. If you are travelling alone you may feel more comfortable sitting in this part of the bus.
Long-distance trains often have special carriages reserved for women and children. Having said that, they can be so noisy with small children you may wish you may have opted for an ordinary carriage.
On the whole, a woman travelling alone is still very unusual in all but the most
tourist areas, and much of the time you will find that there is a great concern for your safety and welfare, and that people will go out of their way to assist you.
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