Safety & Scams

India is generally safe for tourists — violent crime against foreigners is rare. The main risks are fraud, pickpocketing, and sexual harassment for solo female travelers.

The most common scams

• “The Taj/Temple is closed today": The classic. Touts stand in front of every attraction claiming it's closed — and offer a tour to jewelry/carpet/spice shops instead. IGNORE and go directly to the entrance.
• Overpriced rickshaw/taxi fare: ALWAYS negotiate beforehand or insist on the meter. Better: Uber/Ola at fixed prices.
• Prepaid taxi scam at the airport: The official prepaid taxi counter is INSIDE the terminal (not outside). Outside, drivers charge 3–5x the normal price.
• Currency exchange scam: Slow counting, hidden bills, "calculation errors". Always count yourself, in front of the exchanger.
• Jewelry/carpet/spice shop: Rickshaw drivers take you to shops that pay them commission. Intense sales pressure is applied there. Insist on your destination.
• Drugged food/drink: Extremely rare, but it happens — don't accept food/drinks from strangers on the train.

Women alone in India

Solo female travelers are not unusual in India — many do it and have great experiences. But the reality is that sexual harassment (staring, catcalling, touching in crowds) occurs more frequently than in Europe. Strategies:

• Clothing: Cover knees and shoulders, especially in conservative regions (Rajasthan, rural areas). In Goa and Kerala, norms are more relaxed.
• Avoid lonely streets and parks at night. Take Uber/Ola instead of street rickshaws after dark.
• In trains and metro: Use the reserved women's compartments.
• Hotel: Book through well-known platforms and choose hotels with good reviews from solo travelers.
• Trust your instincts — if a situation feels uncomfortable, leave it.