Is India Safe for Tourists?

For most tourists on the standard routes, India is a trip that goes well. Millions of visitors come every year, and what goes wrong is mostly everyday hassle: overcharging, touts, pickpockets in crowded places, stomach upsets and hair-raising traffic. Serious incidents are far less common, but they do happen, so it pays to travel with a little preparation. That is the honest answer, and the rest of this guide explains what to do with it.

We are a family-run tour operator based in Jaipur, and we have been arranging private trips across India, Nepal and Bhutan since 2007. We have hosted more than 7,900 travellers, so what follows comes from what actually happens on the ground rather than from a brochure.

What Actually Goes Wrong for Tourists in India?

In our experience, nearly all problems fall into a short list. Knowing it in advance takes most of the sting out of it.

• Touts and commissions. Someone at a station or monument offers to be your guide, or tells you the place you want is "closed today" and steers you to a shop. Politely decline and keep walking.
• Overcharging. Street taxis and rickshaws quote foreigners higher prices. Agree the fare before you get in, or use a pre-booked car or an app-based ride.
• Gem, carpet and "government" shop pressure. A friendly stranger or driver suggests a stop where you will be pushed to buy. You never have to go in.
• Fake ticket sellers. At major monuments, buy tickets from the official counter or the official website, not from people approaching you outside.
• Pickpocketing. It happens in crowded markets, stations and festivals, as in any big city. Carry only what you need and keep your phone out of back pockets.
• Stomach upsets. By far the most common health issue. Drink sealed or filtered water and choose food that is cooked fresh and served hot. See our health guide.
• Traffic. Roads are busy and driving habits differ from home. Cross carefully, and avoid driving yourself.

Is India Safe for Women Travelling Alone?

Many women travel India alone and have excellent trips, and many also report unwanted attention such as staring, requests for photographs, comments and, in some places, harassment. Both are real, so it is worth planning for the second.

• Arrive in new cities in daylight, and use pre-booked or app-based transport after dark.
• Choose hotels with good recent reviews from other women, and share your live location with someone at home.
• Dress modestly. It reduces attention and is also respectful at religious sites.
• If a situation feels wrong, leave it. You do not owe anyone politeness at the cost of your comfort.

Travelling with a private driver and guide changes the experience considerably, because you are never negotiating a ride or waiting alone for transport. Our solo travel guide goes into more detail for women travelling alone.

How Does a Private Tour Change the Risk?

Most of the problems above come from being on your own in busy places with strangers who want your money. A private trip takes away most of those situations.

• You have your own driver and guide. No haggling with street taxis, no wondering whether a ride is the right price, and someone who knows each place with you.
• We choose the hotels and drivers ourselves. They are people and properties we know and book directly, not anonymous listings.
• Tickets and entry are handled. You avoid the fake sellers and the queues.
• You have 24/7 support. Guests can call or message us at any hour during the trip, and we will do our best to solve whatever has come up.

What About Government Travel Advice?

Government travel advice for India is written by region, not for the country as a whole, and it is updated from time to time. Before you book any trip, read the current advice from your own government for the specific places on your route:

• US State Department travel advisories
• UK Foreign Office advice for India
• Australian Smartraveller advice for India
• Canadian travel advice for India

Also check that your travel insurance covers every region on your route. Send us your planned stops and we will talk through each one with you before you book.

Is Any Time of Year Harder?

Safety is partly about season. Heat in Rajasthan and the plains from April to June can be punishing, heavy monsoon rain can slow road and rail travel, and Delhi's air quality is often poor between November and January. Our best-time-to-visit guide shows what each month feels like, region by region.

Ten Habits That Keep Most Trips Trouble-Free

• Buy travel insurance with medical cover and emergency evacuation.
• Drink only sealed, boiled or filtered water.
• Agree prices before you start any ride or service.
• Buy monument tickets from official counters or websites.
• Keep copies of your passport and visa, stored separately from the originals.
• Use a money belt or a secure bag in crowds, and carry limited cash.
• Save your hotel and driver numbers in your phone.
• Do not accept food or drink from strangers.
• Be wary of anyone who says an attraction is closed or has moved.
• Trust your instincts. Leave any situation that feels wrong.

Emergency Numbers Worth Saving

• 112 — the national emergency number. It connects to police, fire and ambulance, and can be dialled even without a SIM.
• 1363 — the Ministry of Tourism's 24-hour tourist helpline, which advises visitors in twelve languages including English. It is a guidance line rather than an emergency service, so call 112 first for anything urgent.
• 1091 — the women-in-distress helpline, with 181 also used in many states.
• 139 — Indian Railways help, for problems on a train.

A foreign SIM roaming in India may not connect to short codes such as 1363. If a number will not go through, ask your hotel to call for you, and keep our number and your driver's saved as a fallback.

The Bottom Line

India rewards preparation. Know the common scams, drink safe water, insure the trip, check your own government's advice, and travel with people who handle the awkward parts for you. If you would like a trip built around exactly that, tell us your dates and route and we will reply within 24 hours.