For years, India has occupied an intriguing reputation in global travel conversations. It is spoken about with awe and anxiety in equal measure, praised for its history, spirituality and colour, yet often portrayed online as chaotic, unsafe or overwhelming, especially for women travelling alone. Scroll through social media or travel forums long enough, and the warnings begin to blur into something more dramatic than nuanced.That disconnect between online narratives and lived experiences is becoming increasingly visible on Reddit, where travellers are pushing back against one-dimensional portrayals of India. One recent post, shared by a solo female traveller, stood out precisely because it offered a grounded account of what it was actually like to spend a month travelling through the country alone.
The traveller (Background_Age_852) shared her experience on reddit, saying, “I (F32) recently returned from a one-month solo trip to India and I’d like to share my tips and experiences, especially considering how controversial India seems to be as a travel destination, a t least on the interwebs.”She explained that her decision to visit India didn’t come out of nowhere. Friends who were deeply interested in Eastern religions and history had travelled there before, some solo, some together, and their largely positive experiences stayed with her. She added, “Their stories inspired me. I’ve always found India a fascinating country, with a rich and ancient history.”Based on their advice, she planned a route focused on southern and central India, avoiding the much-hyped Golden Triangle. She added, “I visited Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Mysore, Kochi, Visakhapatnam and Bangalore. I also visited other places for landmarks or temples, but I didn’t stay there very long.”Read more: “Waiters hesitated to attend to us …”: After living abroad, this professional explains what India does better than othersShe was upfront about the fear she felt before leaving. “Before embarking on my trip, I searched for information online and basically shat my pants. The stories were quite horrendous.” At the same time, she noticed what she described as an “anti-India hate campaign” across parts of social media. When statistics failed to offer clarity, she chose to trust real-life advice over online panic.“Eventually, I just decided to trust my friends and went.” What followed surprised her, and she agreed that she actually had a great time.She acknowledged that she stood out and that curiosity was unavoidable. “In rare instances, some people came up to me for a picture. Indians tend to stare at anything that stands out, they’re very extroverted, but that was all. No scary situations or anything.”
In fact, she drew an unexpected comparison. “To be honest, I got worse stares in Eastern Europe.”Her experience, she stressed, was shaped by conscious choices rather than blind optimism. She added that speaking to local women made a significant difference, something she felt many travellers overlook.On clothing, she was pragmatic rather than rigid. “I don’t wear cleavage or booty shorts even in the UK, so I wasn’t going to do that in India.”At the same time, she didn’t feel the need to completely alter her wardrobe. She also addressed how her appearance may have shaped her experience.Read more: Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2026: Dates, and what to expect this year“People often see me as Black, mixed or Polynesian. I stood out, but I’m not blonde—and my blonde friends didn’t have problems either.”One non-negotiable aspect, she said, was accommodation and that she didn’t cheap out, and always stayed in hotels.The discussion that followed echoed many of her points. One commenter, identifying as a South Asian man, summed up a widely shared view: “For anyone in India, regardless of gender, this advice is perfect.”He listed practical rules: stick to central and southern regions, take cues from how many women are out in public, dress appropriately, don’t compromise on hotels, eat at proper restaurants or mall food courts, and plan transport in advance.
Other commenters pushed back against the idea that northern India should be written off entirely. A white woman shared her experience travelling through Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, calling places like Reckong Peo and Rishikesh “incredible.” Another South Asian woman highlighted how much she loved India’s northeastern states.What made the thread resonate wasn’t the claim that India is perfect or problem-free. It was the absence of extremes. Instead of fear-mongering or defensive nationalism, the post reflected something far more useful for travellers: context, self-awareness and practical decision-making.In a digital landscape where travel narratives are often driven by outrage or viral anecdotes, this Reddit account offered a quieter reminder—that India, like most places, is neither a nightmare nor a fantasy. How it feels depends largely on where you go, how you travel, and how willing you are to listen to people who live there.Disclaimer: The above article is based on a Reddit post and Times of India has not verified the veracity of the claim
