Safe Travel Indiafor Foreign Tourists
Your comprehensive safety handbook for traveling in India. Transportation, health, scam awareness, emergency numbers, women safety, and solo travel tips.
Transportation Safety
Hire a Verified Private Driver
The safest way to travel in India is with a pre-booked, verified private driver. Companies like Triveni Cabs provide GPS-tracked vehicles, background-checked drivers, and 24/7 support. This eliminates risks from random taxis or ride-hailing in unfamiliar areas.
Avoid Unmarked Taxis
Never take unmarked or unofficial taxis at airports or stations. Use pre-paid taxi counters at airports, or better yet, pre-book your pickup. If using Uber/Ola (Indian ride-hail), verify the car number and driver photo before getting in.
Train Travel Safety
Indian Railways is generally safe. Book AC classes (1AC, 2AC, 3AC) for comfortable and secure travel. Keep valuables in locked bags. Night trains: choose upper berths for security. The IRCTC app is the official booking platform.
Road Safety
Indian traffic follows different norms. Seat belts in cars, helmets on bikes are mandatory. Avoid driving yourself — local traffic patterns require experience. Pedestrians should be cautious crossing roads (use zebra crossings and watch both directions).
Health & Medical Safety
Water & Food Safety
ONLY drink bottled or filtered water — never tap water, not even in 5-star hotels. Check that bottle seals are intact. Brush teeth with bottled water. Eat at busy restaurants (high turnover means fresh food). Avoid raw salads initially until your stomach adjusts.
Carry Essential Medicines
Pack: anti-diarrheal (Imodium), rehydration salts (ORS), paracetamol, antihistamines, insect repellent (DEET-based), sunscreen (SPF 50+), hand sanitizer. These are available at Indian pharmacies too (Apollo Pharmacy, MedPlus are reliable chains).
Travel Insurance
STRONGLY recommended. Ensure it covers medical evacuation, hospitalization, and emergency assistance. India has excellent private hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, Max) in major cities. Government hospitals are free but overcrowded. Keep your insurance card accessible at all times.
Altitude Sickness
For trips to Ladakh, Spiti, or high Himalayan areas (3,000m+): acclimatize gradually, drink 3-4 liters of water daily, avoid alcohol, and carry Diamox (consult your doctor before the trip). Our mountain itineraries are designed for gradual ascent.
Scam Awareness
"Closed Today" Scam
Someone near a monument tells you "it is closed today" and offers to take you to a shop instead. ALWAYS verify timings yourself (Google or ask your driver). This is a common tourist scam near the Taj Mahal and Jaipur monuments.
Inflated Taxi Meter
Some taxi drivers may claim the meter is broken or use a tampered meter. Solution: use pre-paid taxi counters, ride-hailing apps, or (best) a pre-booked private driver with fixed pricing. Never negotiate fares after reaching the destination.
Unsolicited Tour Guides
People may approach you at monuments claiming to be official guides. Legitimate guides have government-issued ID cards. If you want a guide, book through your hotel, driver, or the monument's official counter.
Overpriced Souvenirs
Prices in tourist-heavy areas are inflated 2-10x. Bargain (it is expected and acceptable). A good rule: start at 30-40% of the asking price and settle at 50-60%. Your driver can often take you to shops with fair prices.
Gem & Carpet Scams
Some touts offer to sell gems, carpets, or spices with a "special deal" and a story about shipping profits. This is always a scam. Buy from reputable stores. Government-approved emporiums (Cottage Emporium) have fixed, fair prices.
Women Safety
General Advice
India is visited by millions of women travelers every year. Most tourist areas are safe. Common-sense precautions: avoid isolated areas at night, keep your hotel informed of your plans, dress modestly in conservative areas (not required in tourist/urban zones).
Solo Female Travel
Solo female travel in India is absolutely possible and done by thousands. Stay in well-reviewed hotels/hostels. Use pre-booked transport (like our service). Share your location with family/friends. Women-only compartments exist in trains and metros.
Dress Code
In tourist areas and cities, Western clothing is fine. In conservative/rural areas and temples, cover shoulders and knees. A light scarf is useful for temple visits and sun protection. Dress modestly but there is no need to completely change your wardrobe.
Emergency Resources
Women Helpline: 181 (24/7). Police: 100. National Commission for Women: 7827-170-170. Many states have special tourist police. Our 24/7 helpline is always available for our customers.
Emergency Numbers & Resources
Universal Emergency
112 — This single number connects to police, ambulance, and fire services across India. Save it in your phone.
Police
100. Tourist Police are available in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Mumbai, Goa, and other tourist hubs. They speak basic English and are trained to assist foreign visitors.
Ambulance
108 (government ambulance, free). Private ambulances are also available in major cities. For serious medical emergencies, our drivers will take you to the nearest hospital directly.
Your Embassy
Keep your embassy contact number saved. Major embassies in Delhi: US (+91-11-2419-8000), UK (+91-11-2419-2100), Australia (+91-11-4139-9900), Canada (+91-11-4178-2000), Germany (+91-11-4419-9199).
Triveni Cabs Helpline
+91-7668570551 — Available 24/7 for all our customers. WhatsApp: wa.me/917668570551. Our English-speaking support team can coordinate with local authorities, hospitals, and your embassy if needed.
Solo Travel Tips
Accommodation
Book well-reviewed hotels/hostels on Booking.com, Hostelworld, or MakeMyTrip. Read recent reviews. Choose places with 24-hour front desk. In cities, stay in popular tourist areas (Delhi: Paharganj, Connaught Place; Jaipur: MI Road; Agra: Taj area).
Stay Connected
Get a local SIM card at the airport (Airtel or Jio, ₹500 for 28 days with data). Share your location with family/friends via WhatsApp or Google Maps. Download offline Google Maps for areas with poor connectivity.
Join Others
Many hostels organize group tours and social events. Platforms like Couchsurfing have meetup groups. Meeting fellow travelers at cafes and hostels is easy in tourist hotspots. India is one of the friendliest countries for meeting people.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off, leave the situation. It is okay to be firm in saying "no thank you." Most Indians are genuinely helpful and curious about foreigners — the vast majority of interactions will be positive and memorable.
Travel Safer withTriveni Cabs
Hiring a private driver is the single best safety decision you can make for your India trip.
Verified Drivers
Background-checked, commercially licensed, and experienced with international tourists
GPS Tracking
All vehicles are GPS-tracked. Real-time location shared with our control room
24/7 Support
English-speaking helpline available round the clock. Emergency coordination with hospitals and authorities
Plan Your Safe India Trip
Frequently AskedQuestions
Is India safe for foreign tourists in 2026?
Yes. India welcomes over 10 million international tourists annually. The Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and major cities are all safe for tourists. As with any country, use common sense precautions. Hiring a private driver adds an extra layer of safety and convenience.
Is India safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, with standard precautions. Thousands of solo female travelers explore India every year. Use pre-booked transport, stay in well-reviewed accommodations, keep emergency numbers saved, and trust your instincts. Tourist areas are well-policed and generally very safe.
What is the emergency number in India?
112 is the universal emergency number (police, ambulance, fire). Police: 100, Ambulance: 108, Women Helpline: 181. Save these before your trip.
Should I get travel insurance for India?
Strongly recommended. Choose a plan that covers medical emergencies, hospitalization, evacuation, trip cancellation, and lost luggage. India has excellent private hospitals but treatment can be expensive without insurance.
How do I avoid getting sick in India?
Drink only bottled/filtered water, eat at popular restaurants, avoid raw street food initially, wash hands frequently, carry hand sanitizer, and take anti-diarrheal medicine with you. Most travelers adjust within 2-3 days. Start with cooked vegetarian food if unsure.
Is hiring a private driver safer than public transport?
Yes, significantly. A private driver gives you a known, verified person responsible for your safety, GPS-tracked vehicle, flexibility to avoid risky areas, and 24/7 support from the company. It also eliminates risks from unknown taxi drivers and overcrowded public transport.
Travel IndiaSafely with Us
Verified drivers, GPS tracking, 24/7 support. Your safety is our priority.