Lifestyle Trend: ‘India isn’t just Delhi’: Solo traveller’s viral safety ratings crown Kerala as the safest haven for women You Should Know

For many international travellers, India is a country of contrasts, breathtakingly beautiful yet often overwhelming. And when it comes to women’s safety, curiosity and caution often go hand in hand. But one solo traveller’s viral video is helping paint a truer, more balanced picture of India and placing Kerala firmly in the spotlight.

Emma, a backpacker currently exploring Asia, recently shared her candid experiences from eight Indian cities on Instagram, rating each destination based on how safe she felt as a solo woman traveller. Her video, captioned “No sugar-coating, just my honest experience after weeks across 8 cities,” has struck a chord.

Her journey across India, from Delhi’s chaos to Kerala’s calm, reflects the stark contrasts that make the country both challenging and deeply rewarding for solo travellers.

Emma began in Delhi, which she described as “overwhelming”, a sensory storm of sound, traffic, and constant stares. Giving it a rare -1/10, she said it was one of the few places she wouldn’t explore alone at night. In Agra, though the Taj Mahal stole her heart, scams and touts clouded her experience, earning the city 3/10.

Jaipur, the Pink City, offered some relief with its grandeur and order, earning a middling 5/10. But it was in Pushkar, known for its spiritual serenity, that Emma first felt at ease. “Locals were chilled out and respectful,” she noted, giving the holy town 6.5/10.

Things improved dramatically in Udaipur, which Emma described as “the first place in North India where I actually felt comfortable walking around alone in the daytime.” Its lakeside calm and warm hospitality earned it 8/10.

In Mumbai, the city that never sleeps, Emma found anonymity and space. “People mind their own business,” she wrote, giving it 6.5/10 for being busy but safe enough for solo exploration.

Then came Goa, which Emma described in one word: “Freedom.” The beaches, the easygoing culture, and the ability to dress freely made her feel safe and liberated. “It’s an absolute paradise in the daytime,” she said, though she warned against walking alone on beaches at night. Her rating: 8/10.

Finally, Emma found her peace in Kerala, which she crowned the safest state for solo women travellers. “Calm, clean, and culturally rich,” she wrote, praising its polite locals, safe public transport, and serene landscapes. With 9/10, Kerala stood as the shining example of how safe and welcoming India can be.

In another post, Emma reflected on the contrast between Delhi and Kerala, writing: “India isn’t JUST Delhi. Delhi will test every sense you have — the traffic, the noise, the chaos — but don’t let it stop you from exploring the rest of this incredible country.”

Her advice to new travellers was simple: plan well, take breaks, and don’t judge India by its capital alone. “Kerala, for example, feels like a completely different world,” she added, sharing videos of houseboats in Alleppey, spice plantations, and sunsets over Varkala’s cliffs.

Emma’s post has since gone viral, resonating with women travellers worldwide who’ve had similar experiences both challenging and transformative. Her honest take doesn’t shy away from India’s complexities but celebrates its contrasts: the noise and the stillness, the chaos and the calm, the discomfort and the beauty that coexist within its borders.

And in her eyes, Kerala shines as proof that India’s heart beats quietly, safely, and beautifully, if you take the time to find it.