The Modern Indian Woman’s Guide To Solo Travel: Where To Go

There’s a new energy to the way women travel today. The modern Indian woman isn’t waiting for a group chat to come together or for someone to “accompany” her. She has her own playlist, her own pace, and a growing desire to step out, explore, and expand into the person she’s becoming. 

I remember those nights as a teenager when I used to lie awake in bed, searching for hotels, planning for my imaginary solo trip. It was more about the fact that somewhere I knew that I wasn't really planning for something conventional as a girl. That gave me a sense of rebellion, which fueled my desire to go on solo trips even more. But this was eight years ago. The travel landscape for earning women has changed a lot, and solo travel has evolved from a rebellion to a reset for Indian women.

And while India is sprawling, layered, and diverse, some pockets truly work beautifully for women travelling alone, places that are warm, intuitive, welcoming, and easy to navigate. Here’s a curated list of 11 destinations where you can follow your curiosity and feel safe and comfortable doing it.

1. Pondicherry

Small, calm, and beautifully walkable, it’s the kind of place where you can café-hop through the French Quarter, read by the sea, or wander through boutiques without feeling watched. It feels safe because the town has a naturally respectful, slow-paced culture, with locals and travellers who are used to seeing women explore independently.

Best Time to Visit: October to March
Must-Visit Places: White Town, Promenade Beach, Auroville, Paradise Beach, Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Where to Stay: Palais de Mahe, La Villa, The Promenade, Maison Perumal, Micasa Hostels Pondicherry 
Where to Eat & Café-Hop: Coromandel Café, Café Des Arts, Sicilys, Villa Shanti, Le Dupleix

2. Jaipur

Jaipur makes solo travel feel effortless. The city is structured, well-connected, and filled with vibrant spaces, from forts and museums to design stores and rooftop cafés. Women feel comfortable here because the main areas stay lively through the day, commute options are reliable, and boutique hotels are genuinely attentive to solo travellers. It’s colourful and picturesque. Bring those tripods along, ladies!

Best Time to Visit: October to March
Must-Visit Places: Amer Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Johri Bazaar, Masala Chowk
Where to Stay: 28 Kothi, Jasvilas, Narain Niwas Palace, Hotel Sarang Palace, Rambagh Palace (luxury)
Where to Eat & Café-Hop: Tapri Central, Anokhi Café, Bar Palladio, Verandah at Rambagh, The Johri 

3. Udaipur

Udaipur is all soft sunsets and slow living. Its compact layout is a dream: most cafés, viewpoints, and heritage spots sit close to each other, so you never feel stranded or overwhelmed. The city’s warmth emanates from its people, who are hosts who treat solo women with respect, shopkeepers who don’t hover, and a general atmosphere that feels calm and safe.

Best Time to Visit: September to March
Must-Visit Places: City Palace, Lake Pichola, Bagore Ki Haveli, Saheliyon Ki Bari, Jagdish Temple, Fateh Sagar Lake, Ambrai Ghat
Where to Stay: Jagat Niwas Palace, Amet Haveli, Trident Udaipur, Bujera Fort
Where to Eat & Café-Hop: Ambrai, Upré by 1559 AD, Jheel’s Ginger Coffee Bar, Café Edelweiss

4. Rishikesh

Rishikesh has a grounding energy that makes solo travel feel wholesome. Yoga studios, riverfront cafés, hostels, and ashrams bring a steady flow of women travellers, which naturally creates a sense of community and comfort. For those who love adventures, rafting in the Ganga River is one of the best ways to remember Rishikesh, trust me. The town is used to independent travellers, so you can walk, sit, eat, or explore without being bothered. It’s that rare blend of spiritual and social, without feeling chaotic.

Best Time to Visit: October to March
Must-Visit Places: Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula, Beatles Ashram, Neer Garh Waterfall, Triveni Ghat Aarti, Tapovan cafés
Where to Stay: Divine Resort, Zostel Rishikesh, Hotel Ishan, Moustache Rishikesh
Where to Eat & Café-Hop: The Ganga View Café, Café Karma, Beatles Café, Little Buddha Café, Ira’s Kitchen 

5. Sikkim 

Consistently rated one of India’s safest regions for women, Sikkim offers clean cities, respectful locals, and a naturally gentle culture. Whether you’re walking down MG Marg or heading to a monastery in the hills, you feel looked after without feeling restricted. It’s scenic, structured, and quietly empowering.

Best Time to Visit: March to June, September to November
Must-Visit Places: MG Marg, Tsomgo Lake, Tashi Viewpoint, Rumtek Monastery, Pemayangtse Monastery, Pelling Skywalk, Rabdentse Ruins
Where to Stay: The Elgin Nor-Khill (Gangtok), Mayfair Spa Resort (Gangtok), The Elgin Mount Pandim (Pelling), Udaan Olive Hotel (Pelling)
Where to Eat & Café-Hop: Bakers Café (Gangtok), The Local Café (Gangtok), Lotus Bakery (Pelling), Melting Point (Pelling)

6. Shillong

Shillong has soul. Music cafés, indie bakeries, flea markets, and a matrilineal culture shape a city where women feel comfortable taking up space. Public areas stay active, streets are lively, and locals are warm, all of which make it an excellent solo destination. On a work trip, I stepped out of my luxurious itinerary to have an evening to myself around Police Bazar, and it was so pleasant and full of delicious discoveries. Day trips to Umiam Lake or Laitlum add just the right amount of adventure.

Best Time to Visit: September to April
Must-Visit Places: Ward’s Lake, Police Bazaar, Umiam Lake, Laitlum Canyons, Don Bosco Museum, Elephant Falls, Dylan’s Café
Where to Stay: The Heritage Club Tripura Castle, Café Shillong Bed & Breakfast, Ri Kynjai (luxury), The Loft
Where to Eat & Café-Hop: Café Shillong, Dylan’s Café, The Evening Club, Deja Vu, Smoky Falls Tribe Coffee 

7. Hampi

Hampi is for the woman who loves landscapes that feel slightly unreal. With ruins, boulders, bicycles, and a strong backpacker community, it’s a place where solo exploration feels natural. People here are used to travellers doing their own thing, and the vibe is laidback without being lonely. Cafés, homestays, and fellow wanderers create a reliable sense of safety.

Best Time to Visit: October to February
Must-Visit Places: Virupaksha Temple, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Hemakuta Hill, Lotus Mahal, Royal Enclosure, Riverside ruins
Where to Stay: Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace (luxury), Heritage Resort, Gopi Guest House, Clark’s Inn
Where to Eat & Café-Hop: Laughing Buddha Café, Mango Tree, Gopi Rooftop Café, The Bridge Restaurant 

8. Udupi & Coastal Karnataka

If you want beaches without the noise, this coastline is your zone. Clean shores, old temples, seafood thalis, and genuinely safe public spaces make Udupi and its neighbours a fantastic solo pick. Homestays are warm, towns are uncluttered, and locals tend to be respectful and helpful. It’s coastal peace without the party crowds.

Best Time to Visit: November to February
Must-Visit Places: Malpe Beach, St Mary’s Island, Kapu Beach, Hoode Beach, Sri Krishna Temple, coastal food spots
Where to Stay: Paradise Isle Beach Resort, Malpe Sea Front Cottages, Udupi Residency, Trasi Blue Water Stay
Where to Eat & Café-Hop: Woodlands, Mitra Samaj, Oh! Café, Malpe Beach Shacks, Coastal Platter 

9. Munnar

Think mist, tea gardens, cool breezes, and an itinerary that never pressures you. Munnar is ideal for women who want nature without remote or risky terrain. The town is built around easy sightseeing, well-marked viewpoints, and safe stays. People are calm, polite, and used to solo visitors, which means you can explore with confidence.

Best Time to Visit: October to May
Must-Visit Places: Tea Gardens, Tea Museum, Top Station, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Pothamedu Viewpoint
Where to Stay: Windermere Estate, Blackberry Hills Retreat, Tea County Munnar, The Tall Trees
Where to Eat & Café-Hop: Rapsy Restaurant, Copper Castle Café, Taste of Kerala, Hotel Sri Mahaveer 

10. Coorg

Coorg is a soft landing for women seeking quiet. Plantation stays, coffee trails, and Kodava hospitality make the region one of the safest wellness-style escapes. You’re hosted, you’re looked after, and the region doesn’t have an aggressive tourist culture, a big plus for solo travellers who want peace with a side of great food.

Best Time to Visit: October to April
Must-Visit Places: Abbey Falls, Raja’s Seat, Coffee Plantations, Mandalpatti, Talacauvery, Namdroling Monastery
Where to Stay: Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa, Evolve Back Coorg, The Tamara Coorg, Old Kent Estates
Where to Eat & Café-Hop: Beans N Brews Café, Coorg Cuisine, Ainmane Café, The Rainbow Room 

11. Landour

If solo travel had a postcard, it would look like Landour. Some of the warmest memories from my college days have been in Landour. Pine forests, old-world bakeries, bookshops, and quiet winding roads make it perfect for women who want slow mountain days. It’s safe because it’s small, community-driven, and free from the chaos that can come with bigger hill stations. The vibe is warm and literary, like a retreat you gift yourself.

Best Time to Visit: October to June
Must-Visit Places: Sisters’ Bazaar, Landour Bakehouse, Rokeby Manor, Lal Tibba, Chaar Dukan, Kellogg Memorial Church
Where to Stay: Rokeby Manor, La Villa Bethany, Doma’s Inn, Rokeby Residences
Where to Eat & Café-Hop: Emily’s at Rokeby, Landour Bakehouse, Café Ivy, Anil’s Café at Chaar Dukan

Solo travel isn’t about proving independence; it’s about practising it. India is full of places that treat women with respect and make space for their journeys, emotional, physical, and creative. Pick a spot that matches your energy right now, pack your curiosity, and let the world feel a little bigger again.