Modern women are often told they can achieve anything. The message is clear: the world is theirs for the taking. But when a woman sets out alone, backpack or hiking boots in tow, that sense of limitless possibility is quickly challenged. Suddenly, doubts arise and questions about whether women are too fragile to travel solo replace encouragement. 

Women around the world are wary of traveling by themselves, and the fear can be especially heightened when you hit Indian soil. While India has undoubtedly given itself a bad reputation—whether for lingering eyes or spine-chilling headlines, especially concerning solo women travelers—we want to make it clear that it’s not as chilling as it sounds. To better understand this, let’s look at real experiences that challenge these perceptions. 

If you’re willing to take the plunge and walk out of your door, there is nothing to stop you. You can create your own solo travel stories so long as you are mindful of the culture you’re exploring. You should remain alert, perhaps brush up on your self-defense, and take the precautions you do every single day. Below, we look at some real-life stories of Indian women who dared step out of their homes and travel solo. These solo travel stories are not fiction but are real to make you believe you can also go off on your own solo adventure. Consider the following stories for inspiration if you intend to start traveling solo. 

Cheryl Mukherjee’s Travel Experiences 

Cheryl was nineteen when she decided she wanted solo travel experiences. Cheryl, a graduate in applied psychology, didn’t inform her parents until she completed sufficient research about the places she wanted to visit. Although from West Bengal, Cheryl considered the state a safe bet because it had a different version of nostalgia than she was used to. Cheryl was never raised in Kolkata, but like a stereotypical Bengali, she learned Ravindra Sangeet, watched Satyajeet Ray’s movies, and sang children’s rhymes. 

Cheryl came from a family of doctors who weighed decisions in pros and cons, rationality, and logic. They had short discussions at home every day to gradually and systematically desensitize them, ensuring none of them were shocked. Cheryl says she would have done something similar had she been a boy. 

Cheryl had only travelled with her parents, and the trips were always short with all the luxuries at their disposal. However, Cheryl’s solo travels are in stark contrast. They belong to real-life solo travel success stories in India. Cheryl’s solo travel personal Journeys last as long as two months with sufficient resources, healthy and cheap meals, without a rigid itinerary because Cheryl prefers walking and using public transportation to minimize costs. She also carries a bar of soap to wash her clothes. 

Cheryl doesn’t bother about who is in the plan with her because when she decided to switch from a family traveler to a solo traveler, the entire dynamics changed for her. 

Did Cheryl Receive Similar Opportunities as Male Travelers? 

Many times, Cheryl felt discriminated against because she was a woman solo traveler. In some places, she discovered that adventure sports were more expensive for women because they needed more assistance than their male counterparts did. As a woman, Cheryl wasn’t allowed to enter some places of faith. Travel agents did not want to accept documentary responsibility for women solo travelers. These are just some of the problems. Hostels have strict time restrictions and reporting hours for women and make a fuss about permissions and signed papers. Men are not required to go through similar things. However, the larger problem remains the taboo against women solo travelers, due to various reasons that men wouldn’t even consider when booking their tickets. 

Cheryl isn’t a big advisor, but as a woman, she feels self-conscious and empowered due to traveling solo. She is more aware of her weaknesses and strengths. She has learned to love herself without waiting for someone else to do it first, and that has made all the difference. 

Niharika Pathak 

If you are looking for real-life solo travel success stories in India, you cannot miss the adventurous story of Niharika Pathak, an engineer turned full-time traveler. Niharika goes by the belief “you are never really alone.” Niharika always wanted to explore the magnificent planet Earth on her own terms. Therefore, she gifted herself the freedom of wanderlust on her twenty-fourth birthday. Niharika had been working on two jobs and saving 60% of her income for twenty-four months to achieve her goal. 

It was unheard of her family to take a year’s sabbatical to travel by quitting a well-settled job, and the idea was unacceptable. Initially, Niharika educated her family about her plan. Fortunately for Niharika, the heart-to-heart conversation with them brought the entire family together with full support and love. 

Niharika decided to split her time between volunteering and traveling. Her journey to Everest was closest to her heart, and spending thirty days in the Himalayas was surreal. She connected with her roots and had a fresh approach to life and general things after the expedition. 

Niharika began her first year of solo travels, biking through Ladakh. Although she was circumspect about traveling solo on a bike, she believed it might be challenging for a woman at twenty-four. However, after finding a group of travelers from all over India who were on the same wavelength, Niharika found her faith renewed to go solo. With supportive fellow bikers appreciating Niharika’s efforts, she never felt out of place. In fact, she learned it was safe to let it down. 

Niharika planned to go super local in Rajasthan. After arriving in Jaipur, Niharika took a bus to Ajmer and then to Pushkar. She also travelled to Kumbhalgarh. A local bangle seller asked Niharika where she was from, and after hearing that Niharika was on her own, appreciated her guts for gifting her a couple of bangles, with the advice that whenever she wore them, she should remember him as a genuine well-wisher. 

Niharika also volunteered in Amritsar, where she taught English at a place and was told by the owner that she was the only Indian volunteer he had ever had. He also provided pointers on her onward journey and all the support Niharika needed. 

What Surprised Niharika the Most During Her Journey? 

When describing her solo travel stories, Niharika claims that India has progressed rapidly. She has witnessed locals welcoming solo travelers into their homes. Niharika says Indians are very accepting, and she felt love in a tangible way when traveling in India. Niharika believed that after people discovered she was on her own, especially boys, they would try to have a go at her or make her uncomfortable. Thankfully, nothing of the sort happened because Niharika made excellent male friends on the road. 

Niharika believed that figuring out the Railways, buses, and planning logistics would challenge her. However, she was surprised to find everything online, and booking was super easy as long as she had a debit/credit card, which most travelers do. Niharika feels that men can do much more than women, and at times, that she feels restricted when stepping out after dark. However, Niharika is determined to continue going regardless of the fact. 

Niharika was in Pushkar when Prime Minister Modi demonetized Indian currency, leaving her with merely ₹ 200. There were dysfunctional ATMs, and any method to obtain cash had disappeared. She shared her problem with the hotel manager, and without a second thought, he offered her ₹ 2000 in ₹ 100 bills. He was aware that Niharika had to take the bus to Jaipur the next day with the fare and food bills to pay in cash. Niharika repaid the cash later by transferring money but was just five minutes shy of a meltdown when the manager rescued her. 

Along every journey, you will find people who are soul sisters, sharing your thought process and falling in love with you for exactly who you are. In return, they will make you fall in love with them as well. Therefore, “you are never really alone.” 

Priya Krishnamoorthy 

Priya was just 17 when she travelled solo by train from Mumbai to Chennai. Although Priya had people dropping off and taking from two different stations, she discovered she could travel alone without fear or a companion. Priya recently solo-travelled to Assam, couch-surfed in rundown hotels, lodges, and homestays. In Guwahati, Priya couch-surfed with a male who was curious about her solo travels. He first asked, “How do you know you will be safe at my place? The question is valid, and Priya replied ‘I always see what other travelers, particularly female, have to say about a host.’ Priya always checks references when considering engaging with a community site like Couch Surfing or a B&B. 

Priya loves the local experience and seeks hosts or travelers adhering to the travel code. It means travelers respect others’ space. Travel websites are not dating sites. Here, you connect to support and facilitate travel. Furthermore, as a female solo traveler, it is only fair to acknowledge and appreciate the time and help offered by a host without crossing imaginary boundaries. Someone else’s home is not yours, and it is not a hotel either. For example, Priya tries not to stay out too late or create a mess. 

Priya loves to travel without an itinerary because it is a challenge, especially as a woman, as there is comfort in having things arranged. Recently, when Priya was in Guwahati, she tried to plan her onward itinerary to Majuli, a river island in the north of Assam. After reaching Jorhat, a town functioning as a transit point to Majuli, she decided to stay put for the day, without hotel bookings, and with no clue where to head. Her cell phone was on the verge of running out of battery, prompting her to turn to her host in Guwahati. She also reached out to her friends for help, in addition to her host. Ultimately, a distant cousin of a friend’s husband took Priya to a lane packed with budget hotels. Priya settled on a tiny room with a clean bathroom for ₹ 500 per night. After that, Priya called a local friend of her host from Guwahati. The call resulted in the local friend generously offering Priya lunch in a small restaurant serving local fare. The luncheon turned into a three-way, three-hour discussion about local cuisine, recipes, and ingredients with the friend and the restaurant owner. As a female solo traveler from India, it is also essential to be a little bit shameless when asking for help, because there is none to be found. 

What Did Priya Learn about Herself during Her Travels? 

When Priya travelled across the country, she gathered personal experiences from solo travellers in India and says there are just a handful of places where she feels entirely at ease. Some of the places are Orissa, Maharashtra, Ladakh, and parts of Kerala and Goa. Priya says most destinations that receive international travelers are generally safe for solo women travelers from India. Recently, Priya discovered she can travel solo in the north-eastern states. Priya finds the locals of Himachal Pradesh extremely supportive of solo travelers, making her believe there are a few things you live and learn. 

When Priya first started traveling solo, she believed she would never go beyond a few days in India. Over the years, Priya has found it incredibly safe to travel in India or abroad if you remain sensible and avoid judgment. Priya always believed it was challenging to enjoy her own company, which it was at first. However, the more Priya travels, the more she comes to enjoying her own company. Priya coaxes herself to step out of her comfort zone and ask questions, have conversations, and smile often while reserving judgment. It merely involves keeping fear at bay. The fear of getting abused, judged, or attacked. Solo traveling changes the way you look at the world around you. It increases awareness and compassion and boosts your confidence. Eventually, you carry it with you even after you are done with solo traveling.