Ever since I can remember, I’ve dreamt of becoming a traveler and a storyteller. Growing up in early 2000s India, when “traveling” wasn’t seen as a profession, this dream felt distant—but never impossible.
In 2021, after the second lockdown, I took my first solo trip to Jammu. Walking the Vaishno Devi trek felt like a victory—but with time, my solo journeys across North and East India began exposing deeper realities that are often overlooked.
Safety for Solo Female Travelers in India
After a long day of exploring, a traveler needs a safe place to rest. But for women in India, even that can feel risky. Budget hotels often lack CCTV coverage, female staff, or secure service hours. Online hotel reviews can be misleading; keywords like “safe” or “female staff” are helpful but not always accurate.
According to a study by DVR Savita & Shalini Singh, most budget accommodations fail to meet basic safety expectations for women.
Public Toilet Cleanliness: Still a Nightmare
Despite initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, clean toilets are still a struggle—especially for women. Toilets on the Vaishno Devi trek looked promising but were unusable—dirty, clogged, and unhygienic. Hotels in Tier 2 and 3 cities charge heavily but often neglect basic sanitation.
According to research by S.E. Palakkal (2025), behavioral change and civic accountability are as important as infrastructure.
Why Society Still Questions Solo Female Travel
Even in 2025, telling people you’re traveling alone as a woman leads to the same question:
“With whom are you going?”
There’s still a social discomfort around women spending time and money on themselves without male company. I often receive sympathy or concern while traveling, but it rarely feels safe. People still see solo female travelers as “abandoned” or “brave,” not as normal.
We need to normalize independent travel as a choice, not a compromise.
A Hope for the Future
I dream of an India where:
- Hotel staff don’t question solo women.
- Toilets are safe, clean, and accessible.
- Public transportation doesn’t mean enduring stares or comments.
- A woman walking alone isn’t a cause for concern—but a celebration of freedom.
Until then, I will continue to travel—but I’ll also continue to tell the truth.
If you’re a solo female traveler in India or planning to be one—share your story. Let’s change the narrative, one real experience at a time.