South Asia
Is India safe?
L2Exercise increased caution
Is India safe?
Violent crime against visitors is uncommon; daily hazards are traffic, scams, crowds, stomach bugs and harassment of women. Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur see periodic violence.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-06-15.
- Homicide rate: 2.8 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 15.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112.
- Solo women: Staring and groping happen, especially in crowds and the north. Dress modestly, use women-only metro coaches and queues, and avoid empty streets after dark.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Chaotic traffic; pedestrians and two-wheeler riders are most at risk
- Food and water-borne illness; dengue during the monsoon
- Severe winter smog in Delhi and the north, November–January
- Heat stroke on the plains from April to June
Common scams
- Touts claiming your hotel is closed, steering you to their agency
- Fake 'tourist offices' near New Delhi station selling overpriced tours
- Jaipur gem schemes promising big resale profits abroad
Laws visitors break by accident
- Satellite phones and satellite messengers like Garmin inReach are illegal without a licence; travelers have been arrested at airports.
- Alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland and Mizoram; beef is illegal in many states.
- Drones need registration and permission; photographing military sites, airports and bridges can lead to detention.
Safety by place in India
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Gangtok | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Rishikesh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kochi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kolkata | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hyderabad | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dharamshala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Leh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Chennai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pondicherry | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Varkala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hampi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Amritsar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jodhpur | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jaisalmer | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pushkar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palolem | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Darjeeling | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Munnar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alleppey | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Andaman Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Shimla | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mysore | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gokarna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Arambol | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kasol | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pune | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ooty | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bir Billing | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Khajuraho | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ahmedabad | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kovalam | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Madurai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ranthambore | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Delhi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Goa | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Mumbai | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Jaipur | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Agra | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Varanasi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Bangalore | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Udaipur | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Manali | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Anjuna | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Srinagar | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Spiti Valley | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Gurgaon | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Bodh Gaya | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is India safe for tourists?
Violent crime against visitors is uncommon; daily hazards are traffic, scams, crowds, stomach bugs and harassment of women. Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur see periodic violence.
Is India safe for solo female travelers?
Staring and groping happen, especially in crowds and the north. Dress modestly, use women-only metro coaches and queues, and avoid empty streets after dark.
What is the emergency number in India?
Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- Indian Visa Online (e-Visa and e-Arrival Card)
- Bureau of Immigration, India
- Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism)
- Speedtest Global Index: India
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.