The thought of exploring places all by yourself, without having anyone is also significantly boosting the percentage of female tourists worldwide. However, since the idea of a safe and hassle-free travel experience always goes hand in hand with fun discoveries, here’s a complete guide to some of the best destinations in India, ideal for solo women travelers.
Be it family gatherings, fun reunions with friends, destination weddings or even solo expeditions, India continues to overcome its challenges in emerging as a diverse destination for travelers from across the world. With popular destinations like Goa, Shillong, and Munnar, the country offers a long list of places for solo women travelers that are exciting and safe at the same time.
Destinations for solo women travelers in India
• Goa
• Kovalam
• Ladakh
• Munnar
• Shillong
• Spiti
• Puducherry
• Jaisalmer
• Sikkim
• Mussoorie
• Udaipur
• Rishikesh
• Varanasi
• Mysore
• Nainital
• Shimla
• Hampi
Goa
In the year 2017, the title of “safest state for women in India” was awarded to Goa. Along with its vast coastline, architectural marvels, cultural celebrations, and lip-smacking cuisine, the ‘party capital of India’ should be on every solo women traveller’s bucket list.
Things to do: Visit Dudhsagar falls, Baga beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Aguada Fort and Casino Royale, watch the sunset on the Mandovi river cruise, party at Tito’s street, go scuba diving at Grande Island, Dolphin safari at Candolim beach, cycling at Divar and Chorao Islands, paragliding at Arambol beach, parasailing at Calangute beach, shopping at Anjuna flea market, and Hot Air Balloon safari in south Goa.
How to reach
Goa International Airport is located in Dabolim, around 29 km away from the state’s capital city Panjim.
Madgaon Junction is the preferred railway station, which is 27 km away from Panjim.
Best time to visit: November to mid-February
Kovalam
Majorly famous for its seashores and known for being one of the oldest tourist attractions in India, Kovalam comes under the list of the safest destinations for a solo trip in the country. With well-established infrastructures, and security and safety precautions on the beaches, this city on the Arabian sea offers memorable experiences throughout the journey.
Things to do: Explore the Vellayani lake, delve into the marine life of Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium, visit Shri Padmanabhaswamy temple, Lighthouse beach, Karamana river, and Hawa beach, experience the rural culture of Vizhinjam village, houseboat rides on the backwaters, indulge in ayurvedic treatments and therapies, parasailing and windsurfing at Chowara beach.
How to reach
Trivandrum airport is located in Thiruvananthapuram, around 15 km away from Kovalam.
Trivandrum Central is the preferred railway station, which is 13 km away from Kovalam.
Best time to visit: November to February
Ladakh
Ladakh, also known as ‘Little Tibet’, is considered one of the safest destinations in India for solo women travellers. Strict security, sincere presence of the army, well-guarded regions, distinctive culture, impressive hospitality towards the tourists, and friendly as well as comfortable treatment offered to women travellers make the Union Territory draw more and more tourists every year.
Things to do: Chadar frozen river trek, Indus river rafting, Camel safari in the Nubra valley, Yak safari in the desert, bike ride to Kargil city, shop at Leh market, experience the Magnetic Hill, explore Drass valley, visit Lala’s art cafe, Pangong lake, Royal Leh palace, Tso Moriri, Hall of Fame, Zanskar valley, and Shanti Stupa.
How to reach
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport is located in Leh, around 5 km away from Ladakh.
Jammu Tawi is the preferred railway station, which is 650 km away from Ladakh.
Best time to visit: April to June and mid-September to mid-October
Munnar
Munnar, also known as the ‘Kashmir of Southern India’, takes pride in being a famed destination among travellers. A heavenly hill station sketched with attractions of all kinds, the city is known for being safe due to its lower percentage of crime rates, hence welcoming tourists from all over the world for a carefree getaway.
Things to do: Go mountain biking in the western ghats, rock climbing, trekking, hiking to Anamudi peak, safari tour of Eravikulam national park, elephant safari at the Carmelagiri elephant park, take a Shikara ride in Kundala lake, camp at Top Station, stay in a tree house, visit Kolukkumalai tea plantations, Blossom Park Day forest, Echo point, Lakkam waterfalls, Pothamedu view point, Wonder Valley adventure and amusement park, and Marayoor.
How to reach
Cochin International airport is located in Kochi, around 106.7 km away from Munnar.
Aluva station is the preferred railway station, which is 108.1 km away from Munnar.
Best time to visit: December to February
Shillong
The vibrant culture and ambience of Shillong signify a welcoming vibe for tourists. The ‘Scotland of the East’ is also the only female-dominant state in the country. Moreover, the hospitable approach, along with the state’s compliance in strictly following all the safety regulations make it one of the safest destinations for women travellers in India.
Things to do: Snorkelling, boating, ziplining, rock climbing, and cliff jumping in Dawki, nature camping in Mawsynram, river rafting at Ranikor, waterfall rappelling at Elephant Falls, camping in the island in Umium lake, trek at Umden village, a tour of Mawlongbna village, silk village at Umden and Cherrapunjee, enjoy city view at Shillong peak and shop in Police bazaar.
How to reach
Shillong airport is located in Umroi, around 31.7 km away from the capital city of Meghalaya.
Guwahati station is the preferred railway station, which is 97 km away from Shillong.
Best time to visit: March to June and September
Spiti
Spiti Valley is frequently regarded as a reliable destination for adventure seekers and solo travellers. The locals here are known for being welcoming and making sure that you have a memorable trip. It is advisable to opt for homestays and state-run buses to ensure your safety.
The state of Himachal Pradesh is generally a safe destination where you will see many solo men and women travellers and backpackers.
Things to do: Explore flora and fauna at Pin Valley National Park, pay a visit to the Buddhist monasteries, trek to Dhan Kar lake, visit the Mummy at the village of Giu, camp and stargaze on the peaks, shop at Kaza’s main market, visit the Spiti river, Balacha Pass, world’s highest post office and Nako village, go river rafting, fossil hunting, and Yak safari.
How to reach
Kullu-Manali airport is located in Bhuntar, around 85.2 km away from Spiti.
Shimla station is the preferred railway station, which is 422.8 km away from Spiti.
Best time to visit: May to June
Puducherry
Situated on the coastline of the Bay of Bengal, Puducherry, formerly known as Pondicherry, is known for its rich culture, famous cuisines, and French colonial architecture. The search for some of the safest destinations for women travellers in India includes this Union Territory for all the right reasons. According to the annual crime data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) every year, Puducherry has always been on the list of states with the lowest crime rates.
Things to do: Visit Auroville, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Rock beach, Ousteri lake, Dune Eco Village, Pondicherry Museum, Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum, and Jawahar Toy Museum, go on a heritage walk, take a tour of the colonial architecture of the city, shop at the serenity beach bazaar, Nehru street, Goubert market, The Cotton House, and Casablanca, go for recreational activities at Yoganjalu Natyalayam, surf and sail through the beach waters, and go on a boat ride at Chunnambar boat house.
How to reach
The Puducherry airport is located in Lawspet, around 3.5 km away from Puducherry.
Villupuram Junction is the preferred railway station, which is 37.5 km away from Puducherry.
Best time to visit: October to March
Jaisalmer
The city of Jaisalmer is one of the most well-maintained treasures of Rajasthan. In the year 2010, the Rajasthan government passed a bill that clearly stated, any sort of misbehaviour with tourists will be considered a ‘non-bailable’ offence and to date, the state lives up to that reputation. Jaisalmer, coupled with its vibrant architecture and colourful civilization, is widely popular as a go-to city among solo women travellers.
Things to do: Visit Jaisalmer Fort, Tanot Mata Mandir, Kuldhara Village, Bhaang Lassi shop, Salim Singh Ki Haveli, Khaba Fort, Tazia Tower, and Longewala War Memorial, explore Nathmal Ki Haveli, camp at Sam sand dunes and Khuri sand dunes, watch the sunset at Vyas Chhatri and a cultural show at the Great Thar desert, go for boating at Gadisar lake, and go for Camel safari, parasailing, desert safari as well as quad biking.
How to reach
Jaisalmer airport is located in Shastri Nagar, around 14.6 km away from Jaisalmer city.
Jaisalmer station is the preferred railway station, which is 2.6 km away from Jaisalmer city.
Best time to visit: October to March
Sikkim
The Northeast is one of the most beautiful parts of our country and in this gorgeous space lies the blissful Sikkim. With its amalgamation of high mountains and low valleys, Sikkim is one of those destinations in Northeast India that has something for every kind of traveller. Ranging from adventurous activities to religious sites, and bundled with the amazing hospitality of the residents makes Sikkim is one of the best destinations for solo women travellers in India.
Things to do: Goecha La trek, Rafting in Teesta river, Kanchenjunga base camp trek, paragliding, cycling on the silk route, trek to Dzongri, visit Singalila national park, Khangchendonga, Tsongmo lake, go Bungee Jumping at Singshore bridge, Yak safari ride, hang gliding, drive on Nathula Pass, a trip to Latung, Yuksom, and Pelling, and trek to Green lake.
How to reach
Bagdogra airport is located in Bagdogra, around 141.7 km away from Sikkim.
New Jalpaiguri Junction is the preferred railway station, which is 116 km away from Sikkim.
Best time to visit: March to June and September to December
Image Credit: Prantik Mitra/Unsplash
Mussoorie
Mussoorie, also known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’ is a major tourist destination in Uttarakhand. In the year 2017, Uttarakhand was titled the second-best state in terms of lowest crime rates by NCRB. From well-guarded homestays to serene mountains, winding lanes, and lovely tourist spots, Mussoorie is considered one of the safest destinations for solo women travellers in every aspect.
Things to do: Boat ride at the Mussoorie lake, stroll along Camel’s Back road, visit Mossy falls, George’s Everest House, and Gun Hill, hike through Lal Tibba, zip line, zip swing, superman ride and rappelling at Mussoorie adventure park, explore Company Garden, spend quality time at Library bazaar, trek to Happy Valley, drop by Lake Mist, Kempty falls, and shop at Sisters bazaar and Mall Road.
How to reach
Jolly Grant airport is located in Dehradun, around 60.6 km away from Mussoorie.
Dehradun station is the preferred railway station, which is 34.1 km away from Mussoorie.
Best time to visit: March to June
Udaipur
Rajasthan has the warmest people you could ever meet. They are friendly, generous and helpful. As of 2022, according to a survey published by Swagachi, Udaipur’s safety index score was rated high with a score of 64. Additionally, the score for ‘walking during the day’ was rated 83 (very high). With a clearly low crime rate index, Udaipur is one of the safest destinations in India for women travellers.
Things to do: Explore the City Palace, visit Jagdish temple, Tiger lake, Taj Lake Palace, Monsoon Palace, and Lake Pichola, go for a heritage walk, Udaipur nature trail hiking, a horse ride, speed boat ride on Fateh Sagar lake, explore Sajjangarh wildlife sanctuary, and set on Udaipur food tour.
How to reach
Maharana Pratap airport is located in Dabok, around 20 km away from Udaipur.
Udaipur station is the preferred railway station, which is 2.5 km away from Udaipur.
Best time to visit: September to March
Rishikesh
Rishikesh is often referred to as the ‘yoga capital of the world’ and is located in Uttarakhand, which is already regarded as one of the most reliable places for a heartful vacation. As per Numbeo’s statistical report, Rishikesh’s safety index is much higher compared to its crime index. With a score of 81.32 on the safety index, the city has also been rated high in terms of ‘walking alone during daylight’ as well as ‘walking alone during the night.’ Combined these together, there cannot be a better destination than this for solo women travellers to explore in peace.
Things to do: Visit Shiv Puri, Lakshman Jhula, Ram Jhula, Parmarth Niketan ashram, and Tera Manzil temple, go rafting, bungee jumping, flying fox, giant swing, cliff jumping, kayaking, camping, hot air ballooning, and watch Ganga aarti at Triveni ghat.
How to reach
Jolly Grant airport is located in Dehradun, around 20.9 km away from Rishikesh.
Haridwar Junction is the preferred railway station, which is 22.3 km away from Rishikesh.
Best time to visit: October to February
Varanasi
If there is one place in India, which could give you a glimpse of the entire magnanimous country, it is Varanasi. But, what stands out the most is the people and hospitality of the place. It is they who make Varanasi one of the best places to visit for solo women travellers in India. One of the oldest living cities in India, this destination boasts a higher safety index (62.13) compared to the crime index, as per a statistical report published by Numbeo.
Things to do: Visit Dashashwamedh ghat, discover the temples of Varanasi, behold the glory of the evening aarti ceremony, take a holy bath in the Ganges, morning boat ride in the Ganges river, take a tour of Sarnath, stroll along the ghats, and relish local street food.
How to reach
Lal Bahadur Shastri airport is located in Babatpur, around 23.7 km away from Varanasi.
Banaras station is the preferred railway station, which is 2.8 km away from Varanasi.
Best time to visit: November to February
Mysore
The cultural centre of Karnataka, Mysore is a must-visit place for those who incline toward Indian culture and history. The city is host to several palaces and gardens, which offer beauty, grandeur, and a glimpse of the glorious past that enriches the roots of Mysore. These factors make it a much-preferred destination for solo women travellers in India.
Things to do: Explore the glory of the Mysore Palace, visit the Somananthapura temple, St. Pilomena’s church, Lalitha Mahal palace, Rail museum, Brindavan gardens, Mysore zoo, and Jaganmohan palace, explore folk art at the folklore museum, plan a picnic at the Karanji lake, seek blessings at Chamundeshwari temple, and have a fun day at GSR fantasy park.
How to reach
Kempegowda International airport is located in Bengaluru, around 194.8 km away from Mysore.
Mysore Junction is the preferred railway station, which is 2.8 km away from Mysore.
Best time to visit: October to February
Nainital
Nainital, the largest hill-resort town situated in the serene valleys of Uttarakhand, is a must-visit place for solo women travelers in India. Populated by Kumauni’s with the brightest smiles, lovely gestures, warmth and the best of hospitality, this destination in India is all safe and fun to discover.
Things to do: Go for boat rides at Naini lake, shop at the Tibetan market, behold the Himalayan view from Tiffin top, enjoy ropeway rides, paragliding, flying fox, kayaking, horse riding, and kali river rafting, visit Jim Corbett, trek to Cheena park, stroll through the Mall road, and have a beautiful time at Pangol and Kilbury bird sanctuary.
How to reach
Pantnagar airport is located in Udham Singh Nagar, around 69.8 km away from Nainital.
Kathgodham station is the preferred railway station, which is 41 km away from Nainital.
Best time to visit: March to June
Shimla
One of the most well-known hill stations of northern India, Shimla was the summer capital of British India. The mountainous destination is painted with colourful houses, vibrant culture, secure lanes, warm people, and striking landscapes. The city is often considered a go-to destination for travellers of all kinds.
Things to do: Visit Shimla ridge, Chadwick waterfalls, Jakhoo temple, and Naldehra, go trekking, river rafting, paragliding, bungee jumping, and riding on a toy car, hit the mall road for shopping, skate at Shimla’s ice skating rink, enjoy the sunset at Scandal point, take a walk in the pine forest, take a heritage walk in Kuthar fort, and ski at Kufri.
How to reach
Chandigarh airport is located in Punjab, around 123.5 km away from Shimla.
Kalka station is the preferred railway station, which is 96 km away from Shimla.
Best time to visit: March to June
Hampi
Every time, the list of the safest destinations in India is searched for, Karnataka’s Hampi always makes it to the list. Here, the natives are promisingly friendly and hospitable. A UNESCO world heritage site, Hampi’s natural landscape and its distant location far from the bustling city lives give it an edge over other destinations.
Things to do: Visit the Virupaksha temple, Anjaneya hill, Vijaya Vitthala temple, Narasimha statue, Tungabhadra river, and Lakshmi Narasimha temple, explore Vijayanagara’s ruins, go for a coracle ride, rock climbing, cliff jumping, and boat ride, explore staying in a hut in Hippie island, and shop at Hampi bazaar.
How to reach
Ballary airport is located in Ballary, around 62 km away from Hampi.
Hospet Junction is the preferred railway station, which is 13.3 km away from Hampi.
Best time to visit: October to February