I hear from women tourists online that they got their ass grabbed 1 or more times on public transport. (Even times where they’re with men.) Thats trauma and I wonder if I could one day go to India as a tourist without gaining trauma. I don’t want to be scared of going there.
I still want to go one day, but these reviews mentioning SA scare me.
I cannot recommend traveling alone and fem in India. Thailand is very safe in case you are wondering.
I know many women who have traveled alone there without problem but I also know many who were assaulted, followed, harassed, etc. India in general has very high amount of annual cases, for locals and tourists alike.
I (female body and look female) went to India alone in 2010. I was not sexually assaulted or sexually threatened, but I was aggressively threatened over getting a tip. The first hotel I arrived at, a male porter carried my bag to my room and for some reason two other male employees followed. They all came into my room, and when he put my bag down, demanded a tip. I gave him a £5 note (hadn’t yet got any rupees, you can’t get them until you arrive). He complained it wasn’t enough and demanded more but I said no. The three of them got really aggressive and backed me against the wall, crowding around me angrily demanding more. I was scared but didn’t want to show it. I got into a struggle with them and ended up managing to shove them out of the room and lock the door.
Woah. Big props to you defending your space! That’s scary. I’m so sorry that was one of your first hotel experiences there.
Yeah India is rough for solo-travelling fems. Most fems I’ve met who’ve been to India without issues traveled with masc companions (partners / friends / travel buddies met on the road).
I can confirm that continental South-East Asia is a lot safer.
