An honest, first-person account of solo travel across Japan, Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia — ranked for safety by an Indian woman who's done all six.
I Traveled Solo to 6 Countries as an Indian Woman
Quick answer: Japan, hands down, was the place where I felt the safest, as a solo travelling Indian lady to Japan, Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Only Malaysia didn’t. Here is the unvarnished story of all six, with suggestions for Indian women contemplating their first solo travel overseas.
No one had told me how it felt to check into a hotel room by yourself, for the first time, in a different country. Nothing on the family WhatsApp group. No one enquiring if I had eaten. Just myself, a carry-on bag and the soft hum of a ceiling fan in a guesthouse in Hoi An.
I’ve done it six times now in six different nations. Each trip was a lesson in something new – about the place, about the way the world sees Indian women travelling alone, and about myself. Some of the teachings were great. One of them gave me a jolt.
This post is not a highlight film. It’s the big picture.
Country 1: Sri Lanka – Warm, familiar and forgiving for the uninitiated
My first solo vacation was to Sri Lanka. I chose it because it felt comfortable enough, being close enough to home, but different enough to be an experience. I was not mistaken.
Everyone was just so nice from Colombo to Ella to Mirissa. At stations tuk-tuk drivers approached me uninvited. Guesthouse proprietors gave extra servings of rice and curry. Women in local markets would strike up discussions with no agenda.
Did I receive looks? Yes, sometimes. In small towns in particular. They seemed more curious than menacing. Sri Lanka has a large Tamil population and I was mistaken for Sri Lankan on more than one occasion which made things a lot easier.
One thing I’ll flag is that solitary female travelers should arrange lodging in advance. And if you are a single lady arriving without a reservation, you often won’t have to negotiate. Just stick to the better recommended guesthouses on sites like Booking.com and you'll be OK.
Solo Indian woman safety rating: 8/10
Bali, Indonesia: Spiritual, Welcoming, But Beware in Kuta (Country 2)
Mostly, Bali lives up to its image as a paradise for solo travelers. Ubud felt like a haven. It was simple to feel at home among yoga retreats, rice terraces and a culture rich in community. I rented a scooter, watched a traditional Kecak dance show all by myself and dined at a warungs (local eateries) with not a single awkward moment.
Kuta wasn’t Seminyak. The party scene attracted a certain type of person and as a solo Indian girl not drinking I was a sore thumb. Some pushy guys in beach bars, who needed strong, repeated nos. Nothing harmful but the dynamics were tiring.
My honest suggestion, spend most of your time at Ubud & Cangu. These spots attract a more conscientious traveler crowd. Always negotiate your ride fare before getting in.
Solo Indian women safety 7.5/10
Country 3: Thailand – The Seasoned Traveler’s Playground, But Watch The Scene
Period: Thailand is one of the best countries in Southeast Asia for solitary travelers. Great infrastructure , lots of English in tourist places , and tuk tuk drivers in Bangkok will take you to a temple at midnight no problem .
I went from Bangkok to Chiangmai and after that to Krabi. In Chiang Mai I took a cooking lesson and wound up spending three days touring the city with two other lone ladies I met there – a Japanese architect and a Canadian nurse. That’s the thing about Thailand. It unites single travelers.
Krabi was lovely however you have to be careful at night. The beach bars in Railay were ok but it was a little unnerving getting back to my guesthouse after dark along the darkened paths. When I was coming back I started keeping a torch on my phone and contacting my accommodation host. Little habit, great comfort of mind.
Solo Indian women safety rating: 8/10
Country 4: Vietnam – Very Curious Of You, Rarely Threatening
“The one that shocked me most was Vietnam. I expected indifference and I found warmth, real warmth. Old women in Hanoi’s Old Quarter beckoned me to try bánh mì from their carts. In Hoi An a tailor spent twenty minutes talking to me about Indian textiles before measuring me.
The Vietnamese people were concerned about me as an Indian woman – where I came from, whether I was married, what I ate. The questions were rather personal by Western standards yet they were asked out of curiosity, not out of prying.
Ha Long Bay deserves a mention on its own. I went on a 2 day cruise alone and was the only solo person on the ship. The workers were competent and attentive, but not pushy. I enjoyed the nicest lunch of my trip: fresh crab with ginger sauce, at a table for one, looking out on limestone karsts. Sorry for being lone.
Solo Indian women safety rating: 8.5/10
Country 5: Japan – The Country Where I Felt The Most Secure Japan.
I can’t adequately describe what it felt like to be there as a solo Indian woman except to say: I exhaled in a manner I hadn’t in years.
Tokyo at 1 AM was safer than many Indian towns would be at noon. I travelled trains alone late at night, ate ramen at restaurants where eating alone is so accepted they put barriers between chairs, and walked the backstreets of Kyoto without once looking over my shoulder.
The thing I noticed the most, was not being stared at. In Japan they leave you alone , not because they are chilly , but because they have a great cultural respect for personal space . Nobody was after me. No one hailed me from the street. No one asked why I had been by myself.
And the facts proved it.
In the big cities there are usually special carriages for the ladies. Vending machines and convenience stores so I didn’t have to deal with people when I didn’t want to. All the signs were in English language at each station, each street, each restaurant.
One moment that continues to haunt me is when I left my phone on a bench, in Osaka’s Namba neighborhood, and didn’t realize it for 20 minutes. My heart sank as I went back. It was just where I had left it. Someone had hung it up for easy viewing for me.
That’s Japan.
Solo Indian woman safety rating: 10/10
Country 6: Malaysia – The Country That Didn’t
I want to be cautious here since Malaysia has authentic standouts – the gastronomy of Penang, the skyline of Kuala Lumpur, the warmth of its Indian-origin minority in Little India. But I have to say, that as a single Indian lady, I experienced my most awkward moments there.
In KL I was followed into a shopping mall by a man who followed me around to the shops I went into . I was photographed twice without my knowledge in Batu Caves, once climbing the steps and once sitting alone. I addressed the 2nd person and a group nearby was laughing.
My hostel in Chinatown was good, but the street outside at night felt unfriendly in a manner I couldn’t always explain – a combination of aggressive touts, bad illumination and a density of guys who took my aloneness as an invitation.
Not that Indian ladies should avoid Malaysia. Langkawi was tranquil and beautiful and Penang was one of my favorite foodie cities in the world. But know what you’re getting into. Don't stay at poorly reviewed budget hostels in central KL. Trust your instincts if things don’t feel right. And consider organizing your first Malaysian trip with a guided itinerary and trusted local help.
Safety for solo female travelers: 5.5/10
Which Are the Safest Countries for Indian Women Travelling Alone?
Six countries. Some patterns were obvious:
Infrastructure is key. Countries with good public transport, well-lit streets and strong tourist ecosystems (Japan, Vietnam, Thailand) are more conducive to solo women having control of their environment.
Attitudes regarding women in the public sphere Countries where you see women out and about, shopping alone, eating alone, working in hospitality, seem to be more at ease. Japan and Vietnam rank highly on that list.
Helpful to read as a foreigner. In Sri Lanka it was an aid to be passed for a local. I was obviously a foreigner in Japan, so no one knew what box to put me in and that worked for me.
It’s all about being accommodating. A mid-priced hotel in a safe area with good reviews might make all the difference to your experience of a city.
Travel Tips For Indian Women Travelling Solo
Before you leave:
1) Do some research on particular neighborhoods within your destination, not simply the country. However spontaneous you aim to be, book the first two nights accommodation in advance.
2) How to download Google Maps offline maps when you have no data
3) Tell someone at home your itinerary and check in every 24 hours.
On the ground:
1) Take registered taxis or app rides (Grab works great in SE Asia)
2) Get a local SIM (a must) to keep in touch from day one
3) Dress appropriately - this isn't modesty for modesty's sake, this is eliminating conflict in conservative places. Read the room.
4) Trust bodily discomfort as information. If it doesn’t feel right, walk away’’
When you feel insecure:
1) Don’t just go for a shop – find the nearest hotel lobby. Hotel staff are trained to help and take these situations seriously.
2) A hard loud no is understood in every nation
3) Before you go there, save the local emergency number
You Don’t Need Permission to Travel Alone
An Indian lady travelling alone still needs an explanation or a justification in certain areas. No it doesn’t. All it takes is excellent knowledge, honest appraisals of destinations and the willingness to trust yourself in strange places.
Six countries. Six lessons sets. I have been watched, followed and photographed without my consent. I’ve also had the best cuisine of my life alone at a table for one, watched sunrises from clifftops with no one to share them with except myself, and felt, truly felt, free.
The world is huge and mostly good. If you want to ease in start with Japan. Go to Thailand and Vietnam. Travel to Bali and Sri Lanka. See Malaysia with clean eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries in Asia are safest for Indian women traveling solo?
Japan consistently ranks as the safest country for solo female travel, including for Indian women. Japan's low crime rate, women-only train carriages, and cultural norm of leaving people alone make it exceptionally comfortable. Vietnam and Thailand are also strong choices for first-time solo travelers, offering good infrastructure, English-speaking hospitality staff, and a well-established backpacker network.
Is it safe for an Indian woman to travel solo to Southeast Asia?
Southeast Asia is generally accessible and safe for Indian women traveling solo, with some important nuances by country and city. Countries like Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand offer reliable transport, strong tourist infrastructure, and relatively low rates of street harassment. Malaysia and Indonesia have areas that require more caution, particularly at night in budget accommodation zones. Researching specific neighborhoods — not just countries — makes a significant difference to your experience.
What should Indian women pack for a solo trip abroad?
Beyond standard travel essentials, solo female travelers should prioritize: a portable door lock for guesthouses, a local SIM card for day one of arrival, offline maps, a modest layer for temple or religious site visits, and a power bank. Keeping photocopies of your passport separate from the original is also strongly recommended.
How do I handle being followed or harassed in a foreign country?
Walk directly into the nearest hotel lobby and inform the front desk staff. Hotels in tourist destinations are accustomed to handling these situations and can contact local authorities or arrange safe transport. Avoid confrontations in isolated areas. A firm, loud "no" or "stop" is understood across languages and often enough to deter opportunistic behavior.
Is solo travel worth it for Indian women who have never traveled abroad alone?
Yes — with preparation. Start with a destination that has strong solo travel infrastructure, like Japan or Thailand, where support systems are easily accessible and English is widely spoken in tourist zones. Book accommodation and the first day's activities in advance to reduce decision fatigue on arrival. Many Indian women report that their first solo trip fundamentally changed how they see both the world and themselves.
