Capital city, India
Delhi for solo travelers
Is Delhi good for solo travel?
India's capital suits first-timers who want history, markets and food, with a good metro and strong hospitals. Winter smog, heat, touts and noise are the trade-offs; plan to move on after a few days.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Staring, comments and groping occur. Use the women-only metro coach, dress modestly, book app cabs with trip sharing and avoid empty streets at night. |
How to meet people in Delhi
Hostels in Paharganj and Hauz Khas, walking tours, cooking classes, food tours of Old Delhi, and Meetup groups in Gurugram and South Delhi.
Good things to do alone
- Eat through Old Delhi lanes on a guided food walk
- See Humayun's Tomb at opening time
- Take a sunrise walk through Lodhi Garden
- Hear qawwali at Nizamuddin Dargah on Thursday evening
- Ride the metro to Hauz Khas ruins
Where to stay in Delhi
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Hauz Khas Village and South Delhi | Cafés, nightlife and expats; green, near the metro |
| Connaught Place | Central, metro hub, easy for first nights |
| Paharganj | Cheap hostels near New Delhi station; chaotic and touty |
| Defence Colony and Greater Kailash | Long stays: quieter, safe, good restaurants |
| Gurugram (Cyber Hub) | Remote workers wanting offices, malls and coworking |
Solo travel across India
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Dharamshala | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Goa | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Mumbai | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Jaipur | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Varanasi | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bangalore | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Udaipur | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kochi | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kolkata | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Hyderabad | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Manali | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Leh | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Pondicherry | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Varkala | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Hampi | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Amritsar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Jodhpur | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Pushkar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Palolem | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Anjuna | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Darjeeling | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Munnar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Alleppey | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Andaman Islands | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Shimla | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Delhi | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Agra | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Chennai | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Jaisalmer | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Delhi good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). India's capital suits first-timers who want history, markets and food, with a good metro and strong hospitals.
How do you meet people in Delhi?
Hostels in Paharganj and Hauz Khas, walking tours, cooking classes, food tours of Old Delhi, and Meetup groups in Gurugram and South Delhi. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Delhi?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Delhi safe for solo female travelers?
Staring, comments and groping occur. Use the women-only metro coach, dress modestly, book app cabs with trip sharing and avoid empty streets at night.
More about Delhi
Going to Delhi solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Delhi meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.