India Travel Safety Guide

Tourist scams, pickpocketing, touts, and motorbike bag snatching are common in busy transport and sightseeing areas.

Some regions have specific security warnings, and women should take extra care with late-night transport and unfamiliar social situations.

Tap water is not a safe drinking default for visitors. Use sealed bottled water or reliable filtration.

Mosquito-borne disease, heat stress, air pollution, and stomach illness are bigger practical risks than dramatic crime for many travelers.

Drug laws are strict and cannabis is not something visitors should treat casually just because related products appear in some places.

Use app-booked transport instead of random street negotiations when possible. Uber and Ola are the most practical mainstream ride apps in many cities.

Traffic is aggressive by most Western standards. Do not assume lanes, pedestrian priority, or right-of-way rules will be followed cleanly.

Currency is Indian rupee (INR). Cards work in many hotels, malls, and established restaurants, but cash and UPI still dominate much of daily life.

ATM and taxi scams are common enough to matter. Use bank ATMs, decline unsolicited help, and avoid currency exchange setups that feel improvised.

India is more like a continent than a single travel experience. Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, Kerala, and the Himalayas behave very differently.