Most of our solo travellers are women, and the questions they ask are always practical: where do I start, how do I get from the airport, and what should I wear?
Here are the places we suggest first, and the habits that help anywhere in India.
1. Which Places Feel Safest for a First Solo Trip?
Meghalaya has a matrilineal Khasi culture and is famously welcoming. Kerala's tourism trail is well developed, with homestays run by families. Rishikesh is a vegetarian, alcohol-free town full of yoga students. Pondicherry's French quarter is calm and walkable.
Our first-trip shortlist
- Meghalaya: Shillong, Sohra, Dawki
- Kerala: Fort Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey
- Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- Pondicherry and Auroville
- Hampi, Karnataka
- Old Manali, Kasol and Jibhi, Himachal
2. How Should You Get Around?
Pre-book airport and station pickups, and ask for the driver's name and number the day before. Use app-based cabs in cities, and avoid unmarked taxis. Book trains in the reserved classes (3AC and above); the ladies' quota is available on many trains.
3. What Should You Wear?
In cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru and Goa, anything goes. At temples, in small towns and in the north, cover your shoulders and knees. A light scarf is the most useful thing you'll pack: it covers your head in gurudwaras, your shoulders in temples, and keeps off the sun and dust.
4. Is Joining a Small Group Better Than Going Alone?
For many first-timers, yes. A small group, or a women-only departure, gives you company on the road and freedom in the evenings. On private trips, our planners check in every evening on WhatsApp.
