“Is India safe?” is probably the single most-asked question we get before someone books. It’s a big trip, and there’s a lot of noise online, some of it wildly exaggerated in both directions. So instead of the usual reassurance-only version, here’s the honest one: what’s actually a real concern, what’s overblown, and what we do about it.
“Am I going to get scammed?”
Partly true, and worth taking seriously – but it shouldn’t be the thing that stops you going. Overcharging, taxi scams, and pushy “guides” who appear out of nowhere are real. The way through it isn’t paranoia, it’s knowing roughly what you should be paying and not feeling pressured into anything on the spot.
This is also one of the easiest things an organised trip removes almost entirely – you’re not negotiating every taxi, activity, or excursion yourself from scratch.
“What about the roads and getting around?”
The traffic looks a lot worse than it actually is once you understand it. Crossing a busy Indian road for the first time can genuinely feel like learning a new skill. We have never seen roads busier and more hectic, but it just works. It looks like chaos from the outside, but there’s a rhythm to it, and it clicks faster than you’d expect.
Organised transport takes most of the stress out of this. You’re not landing in India and immediately having to figure out how to get from the airport to your hotel with a backpack and a prayer.
“Is it different for women travelling alone?”
Yes – and we’re not going to pretend otherwise. Staring and unwanted attention can happen, and some situations call for more awareness than you might be used to at home. That’s a real, honest difference, not a scare story.
But there’s an important distinction between “India is dangerous for women” and “there are cultural and situational differences worth being aware of.” It’s very much the second. Millions of women travel India solo every year and have incredible experiences. A few sensible habits go a long way – trusting your gut if something feels off, sticking to known transport rather than random offers, staying reasonably cautious late at night, and keeping someone in the loop on your plans. It’s all about common sense, you need this everywhere, not just in India.
This is also exactly where travelling with a group changes things. You’re not navigating every unfamiliar moment completely alone – there are other travellers around you and local guides who actually know the area.
“What about getting ill?”
“Am I going to get Delhi belly?” is basically a rite of passage question at this point. Preparation beats paranoia here – stick to bottled or filtered water, be a bit more selective with food (especially in the first few days), and wash your hands more than you think you need to. If you do feel off for a day, that’s not a sign you did something wrong – sometimes your stomach just needs a couple of days to adjust to somewhere new. I have spent a combined 3 months in India travelling and never caught a single stomach bug, if you are careful and eat at reputable restaurants, you will be fine.
How Onda actually handles this
We built the trip the way we did because we didn’t want anyone arriving in India and being thrown straight in at the deep end. In practice that means: your airport arrival is organised, group transport is arranged, you’re with local guides who know the area, accommodation is booked ahead of time, and you’re not expected to negotiate taxis or haggle your way through activities on your own. The itinerary has real structure without being rigid, and there’s always someone from Onda who knows where the group is and how to reach local support if something comes up.
Safety on a trip like this was never about removing all uncertainty – that’s not realistic, and it’s not really the point of travelling anyway. It’s about removing the unnecessary uncertainty, so what’s left is the good kind: the stuff you can’t plan for, that ends up being the best part of the trip.
India isn’t somewhere to switch your brain off completely. But it’s not somewhere to be frightened of either. A bit of awareness, some common sense, and a solid plan for the parts that would otherwise be stressful – that’s really all it takes.
You can look at our itineraries here for January & March
No – stick to bottled or filtered water, including for brushing your teeth. It’s an easy habit to build in and avoids most stomach issues before they start.
Yes, always. Beyond the basics, make sure it covers activities you’re likely to do and any medical situations, not just lost luggage.
Broadly yes, and millions of women do it every year – but it’s honest to say there are cultural differences worth being aware of, like more staring or unwanted attention than you might be used to at home. Travelling with a group changes this significantly, since you’re rarely navigating unfamiliar situations completely alone.
This varies by region and personal medical history, so check with a travel health clinic or GP well before you go.
They’re fine, but agree the price (or use the meter) before you get in, and use reputable/known providers where possible rather than the first person who approaches you. The best way to get around is to use an app like uber, they cut out the haggling and make it super easy to get around without being scammed.
Know roughly what things should cost before you arrive, don’t feel pressured into anything on the spot, and be a little wary of unsolicited “helpful” strangers steering you toward a specific shop or activity. Most scams rely on you not knowing any of that in advance.
