India is a country full of culture, history, amazing landscapes and of course lots and lots of people! With a fast growing population you’ll understand just how chaotic this country can be, but nonetheless still a place many go out and seek, taking the time to explore and marvel at its awe inspiring landscapes.
A Country Full Of Colour
If you’re female and planning on travelling to India, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Dress Respectably
India is quite a modest country and many Indian women dress conservatively. Wearing clothes that cover your shoulders, chest and are below the knee are best. I also suggest choosing items that are quite loose fitting (this is great for the hot weather too).
Tons of kaftans, long skirts and pants are on sale for so cheap in India, so one or two will come in handy. I also got some clothes made which was cheaper than actually buying clothes from the markets!
There are some places which are a little more liberal in their dress and in Goa for example, around the beach towns I felt perfectly comfortable wearing a singlet and shorts for the day. Many travellers also sunbathe on the beach in their bikinis, but I still didn’t feel that comfortable doing so. Occasionally I would, but most of the time I had a loose singlet dress over me. It’s really a personal decision.
Loose Fitting Clothing Is The Most Comfortable
There are Men…Everywhere
On the streets, in restaurants at shops wherever you go you will find there are much more men out and about than there are women. It can take some getting used to; not only the lack of women about but also men staring at you. If you are a female solo traveller, you will stick out like a sore thumb and will mostly be staring more out of curiosity than anything else and is quite harmless. Even though I was travelling with Anthony, I still had men staring at me wherever I went. It is just something you have to get used to, of course, dressing respectable helps to stop the more imposing stares.
Spot The Female...
You’ll have the Indian version of the Paparazzi
You will notice that mobile phones will be held up and photos taken of you a lot of the time. Half the time, because they are so quick at snapping your picture, there isn’t much you can do about it. If it’s really obvious and you don’t like it, a firm ‘stop’ or ‘no’ will usually suffice.
I was constantly having my picture taken or being asked if men could have a photo with me. At first, to be honest, I didn’t really mind. After a while though, I got over it-especially the men who would pretend to be looking at their phone directly out in front of them, and then when I walked past heard a loud and obvious ‘click’ sound like a camera shutter coming from their phone.
You'll Almost Feel Like You're Famous!
Decide how you want to Travel
If you are travelling by yourself, I would suggest planning places you want to go, booking good accommodation that has been recommended by other female travellers as well as transportation. I know many women have travelled in India solo, and I admire them because I don’t think I could have done it by myself.
Teaming up with other travellers or females may be a good choice too. Having another person or people around may make you feel safer and good can be good companionship. I guess it comes down to how well you can travel by yourself and/or meet new people.
If you’re a couple and your partner is male, when asking questions or trying to organise tickets etc. you’ll find most of the time the men won’t even answer of talk to you! Many a times, I was trying to ask a question about travel or transport and they would either ignore me or just answer to Anthony because he was standing there. The majority of the time the men will only answer to the men.
Can You Travel Solo?
Got any other tips for women when travelling in India?
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I don’t like a lot of female-only tips posts as I think men traveling have to worry about the same things women do – except for maybe tampons but agree that India is a whole other beast.
Jeannie from Nomadic Chick has documented a lot of this and it’s interesting to see how different the culture is from all others.
I agree with you Ayngelina. But like you said India is a whole different ball game!
I take my hat off to Jeannie and other women who travel there solo because I don’t think I could have.
Great tips! Also, never ignore your gut, it always leads you in the right direction.
Totally agree with you Andi!
I would also suggest starting in a more liberal destination, like Kerala or Goa and making your way to the more ‘difficult’ destinations like Rajasthan or Delhi. It will allow you to get used to the culture – gradually!
Also, I found up in Mcleod Ganj to be a real respite from the male-dominated culture: up there, it feels like Tibetan women run most of the town, and it’s very refreshing to see female staff in guesthouses, restaurants etc. Varkala in Kerala was somewhat similar.
Personally, I think there are soo many guesthouses in India that would benefit from a woman’s touch!
…and the surreptitious camera phone photos drove me absolutely crazy.
Really great advice Megan. Goa & Kerala are definitely more liberal places to start at if it is the first time travelling to India.
And yes….A woman’s touch wouldn’t go astray here and there in some guesthouses!
I also have a lot of respect for women doing the same trip solo. I asked a French woman who had spent several months in India about this and she laughed, “It got to the point where I just came out swinging at the men when they tried to touch.”
Like you, I traveled through India for several months with a husband. But even with that, India is still a challenge – roaming hands, always center of attention, and more. We just returned from Bangladesh – less roaming hands, but SO much attention. Made each day rather intense.
I had to constantly walk around with my hands in my pocket,holding on to my pepper spray in case I needed it .
The beggars surround in droves if you are travelling solo and they are quite persistent.One thing I do is to give them some energy bar or some candy and then move away as fast as I can .
Filling up empty bottles with unhygienic water and passing it of as branded is a common scenario so please do buy from big supermarkets .
The street food looks colorful and inviting and though I am all for the ”immersing -in-the-culture-thing ”i just dont fancy ending up up with diarrhea or cramps. So just ask for the name of the particular food that caught your eye and buy the same in some decent restaurant .
Pinching and groping are nothing new in crowded buses so please do carry your backpack in the front .
Like Megan had suggested I would recommend Kerala or such before heading off to the less liberal minded places
Another scary thing that happened was when I had hailed a tuk-tuk and then suddenly another bloke just jumped in alongside and when I protested even the driver said”OK OK he get down soon no problem no problem ” But i raised my voice and asked me to be let out of the Tuk-tuk and somehow the driver relented.
It always helps to pull the ”I am waiting for my friend to arrive ” while waiting in almost deserted hours of Bus stations or Railway stations when men come up to you faking interest about you.
Please know that there are”pre-paid” tuk-tuk and cabs available near every major Railway and Bus stations ,so use them to avoid being cheated into paying crazy amounts that the drivers demand.
One thing to do is to wrap up your shoes in plastic and keep them inside your backpack when you visit places where you need to pay to keep them outside but may get easily”stolen”as well.
One thing I used to do was make fake phone calls while driving in cabs or tuk-tuks and telling my ”friend” that I am right now near”here&”here” and would be reaching soon . This gives anyone who is focusing on you an idea that you have people out here.
Know for sure where you have your pepper spray or whistle in case you need them urgently .
Keep loose change in easy to find spots so that you can pay for the endless”tickets” that apply exclusively to foreigners.
Never ever think twice to raise your voice. I know that it may seem impolite or rude but it is always better to be safe than sorry .