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Where would a solo female traveller be safest, out of these places...?

81 replies

Forgottenmyphone · 19/09/2024 13:24

India - specifically Delhi and Jaipur
Marrakesh
Istanbul
Egypt - Cairo, Luxor and Aswan

Please help settle an argument! On the one hand, the female in question is a savvy, experienced traveller who won't be out drinking or clubbing, on the other hand she doesn't use Uber (prefers public transport or walking) and likes exploring!

Thanks

OP posts:
FluffBomb · 19/09/2024 14:24

Definitely wouldn’t choose any of these. India maybe if part of an escorted tour.

PurpleThistle7 · 19/09/2024 14:25

My husband and I went to India and had a fabulous time... as long as we stayed together. The two times I went out on my own I have never felt less safe (and I grew up in New York). I actually went back to the hotel in tears in Delhi and gave up on solo exploring (we usually split up a few times when we travel but not this trip!)

I've heard pretty difficult things about everything on this list but agree it would be hugely different depending on her plans. Backpacking versus hotels, night plans, etc.

Tralalaka · 19/09/2024 14:26

Istanbul is fine. Much of it is extremely modern and cosmopolitan. Obviously be careful in the old parts and markets but overall I wouldn’t hesitate. Worked there for 6 months and spent loads of time on my own out and about

HoHoHoliday · 19/09/2024 14:26

I have visited three of your four countries, and for context, I am a very experienced, confident, savvy frequent solo female traveler.

India - Delhi: I found I could not wander around to explore, it's an enormous city that really isn't suited to wandering. I managed to get around well enough using the public transport system, tuk tuks and taxis - the places I wanted to see were so far apart. I was frequently stopped in the street and around by people wanting selfies with me, no attempt at physical contact, just a lot of selfie taking. Never felt unsafe, just sometimes a bit frustrated at being interrupted.

India - Jaipur: Same situation with the selfie taking (I actually had this all around India), but found it easier to explore independently. I used tuk tuks to go from place to place. Much nicer than Delhi.

If it's useful to know, I found Udaipur very enjoyable and happily wandered around there for days, really safe and easy town to visit.

Marrakesh: First time I went with a male partner, no trouble at all, very enjoyable. Subsequent visit as a solo female traveller, was constantly harassed and groped just walking down the street, even though I was dressed very respectfully. Hideous experience. Would never go again.

Istanbul: Have not been here.

Egypt - have only been to Cairo and for work as a solo female: Awful experience, male colleagues assumed I would be having sex with them because they believed that's what western women did. Had them turn up in my hotel room (hotel let them in!). Was warned by hotel staff not to wander around outside alone so didn't even attempt it - there had been high profile attacks on western women by Egyptian men in the recent years before I went. Would never go to Egypt again.

Sad to say there are places in the world where men's opinion of women, particularly of western women, is rock bottom.
With India I was seen as a Z-list celebrity, it was more interest and attraction, with Marrakesh and Cairo I was seen as a prostitute.

ODFOx · 19/09/2024 14:28

Wearing modest clothing in all places, I experienced catcalls and grabbing and was very scared in Istanbul, approx 25 years ago. I was much less scared in Egypt.

mitogoshigg · 19/09/2024 14:28

Of those India is probably the safest as whilst there are incidents, if you consider the population size, and huge numbers of visitors it's far rarer. Morocco I was harassed not been to the others

Octavia64 · 19/09/2024 14:29

I've been to Marrakesh and Istanbul on my own.

Both fine.

I'm female, 47 and use a wheelchair.

My SIL spent time in India and hated it. (Admittedly she did get caught up in a terririst attack)

cheezncrackers · 19/09/2024 14:30

I wouldn't go to any of them as a single woman, particularly if young. I was hassled endlessly in both Istanbul and Marrakech as a blonde, 20-something western woman. I felt completely unsafe.

AFAIK Egypt is even worse and there have been some horrifying stories out of India of women being gang-raped and murdered.

mitogoshigg · 19/09/2024 14:30

I would recommend Sri Lanka as a destination for solo female travel, I was treated brilliantly and no hassle, added advantage was UberTUT

MoveToParis · 19/09/2024 14:31

I would pick Istanbul out of that lot.

OrangeCrusher · 19/09/2024 14:31

Absolutely, emphatically not India. The sexual harassment, groping and feeling of threat was insane. I traveled from the south up to Nepal and it’s the only place in the world I’ve been were I’ve witnessed multiple physical assaults on women and no one batted an eye. I saw a man cane a women as she walked down the street, I seriously considered intervening but I hate to think what would have happened to her because of me.

landris · 19/09/2024 14:36

Well India is the only one out of those where you might be able to easily find someone who routinely speaks English, and could help you in a crisis.

Having said that, I wouldn't fancy going to any of those countries as a solo traveller unless it was an organised holiday with a tour guide etc.

UmbrellaEllaEllaElla · 19/09/2024 14:36

I wouldn't go to any alone.

garlicandsapphires · 19/09/2024 14:41

I’ve travelled in India alone and loved it. Felt slightly unsafe at times and yes there was staring.
This was about 15 years ago though and reports of male violence against women have increased - this would make me slightly wary but based on previous experience I would definitely go again.

AllTheWatersTurnedToClouds · 19/09/2024 14:41

Fuck me, this thread is depressing.

poppyzbrite4 · 19/09/2024 14:47

Out of all of those Istanbul. I've been to Istanbul and experienced no hassle apart from traders trying to get me into carpet shops.

The others were a nightmare of non stop sexual harassment.

SatinHeart · 19/09/2024 14:47

I've been to Delhi and Jaipur as part of a tour group where we had some independent exploring time.

Getting around by tuk tuk was ok, neither place was great for doing a lot of walking between places though, that didn't feel super safe. I got my bum grabbed in a crowd in Jaipur.

Forgottenmyphone · 19/09/2024 14:53

Would Sri Lanka be safer than the above?

OP posts:
Ghilliegums · 19/09/2024 14:54

I've been to India many times as a solo female and it's always been fine. I don't wander about myself though, either get a driver or do organised tours.

BigDahliaFan · 19/09/2024 14:56

India - specifically Delhi and Jaipur
Marrakesh
Istanbul
Egypt - Cairo, Luxor and Aswan

I think all of those you could travel independently but one would have to be very aware at all times and stay in places where one felt safe.

I found Delhi and Jaipur overwhelming and I was on a group tour. But didn't feel unsafe.

Felt safe with 2 other females travelling in Kerala.

Istanbul travelled with one female friend and encountered no issues at all.

Marrakesh travelled their with same female friend and felt no issues at all.

Egypt....not so sure to be honest.

Todaywasbetter · 19/09/2024 14:56

Check the official info not mums net

I had a fab time in Marrakesh. Took train down from border.

Mercurial123 · 19/09/2024 15:26

Istanbul, definitely. It can be annoying with men working in shops making conversation to get custom but nowhere near as bad as Egypt and Morocco.

Istanbul is a fascinating city. I've been four times and could never get bored.

Mercurial123 · 19/09/2024 15:28

ItWasOnAStarryNight · 19/09/2024 13:34

Well, I'd choose Istanbul if someone had a gun to my head but otherwise none of them.

What is making her limit herself to places where she'll be in more danger than she needs to be?

Istanbul isn't dangerous.

ItWasOnAStarryNight · 19/09/2024 19:12

"Istanbul isn't dangerous."

Not sure why you've picked my post out of all the others to tell me that I'm wrong but as you can see on this thread alone, several women have been endlessly harassed in Istanbul. I wouldn't choose to go there because I've experienced the leering too, it does not feel safe as a lone woman.

Mercurial123 · 19/09/2024 19:17

ItWasOnAStarryNight · 19/09/2024 19:12

"Istanbul isn't dangerous."

Not sure why you've picked my post out of all the others to tell me that I'm wrong but as you can see on this thread alone, several women have been endlessly harassed in Istanbul. I wouldn't choose to go there because I've experienced the leering too, it does not feel safe as a lone woman.

And others haven't had an issue in Istanbul myself included. It's way better than Egypt, India, and Morocco.

It's such a magical city. I love it.

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