Alone in Mumbai: A Woman's First Solo Trip Despite Warnings—And a City That Tested Me
Em, who goes by @emsbudgettravel on Instagram, spent a week in Mumbai, her first trip outside Europe without someone else. When she announced she would travel to India alone, she heard mixed responses and warnings that it wouldn’t be safe, especially for a girl. She still went, admitting she felt anxious for the first time in years about traveling because of how comfortable she’d become navigating European cities. “So naturally this didn’t stop me at all and I went anyway, but safe to say I was a little apprehensive,” Em explains in a video.
In This Article:
Bandra as a Safe Haven: Choosing a Quiet Hostel to Meet Other Solo Travelers
To stay safe and meet other solo travelers, Em chose a hostel in Bandra rather than a hotel. She described the area as a lot quieter than central Mumbai and it s also one of the safest areas of the city. Although she felt overwhelmed at times, she said she wouldn t feel really unsafe at all. This choice reflects her strategy: surround herself with other travelers while staying in a calmer part of the city.
The City in Full Noise: The Airport Chaos, Crowds, and Street Life
Em expected Mumbai to be loud and dirty in places with people everywhere, but nothing prepared her for stepping out of the airport into the chaos at the taxi rank. The city proved overwhelming in its bustle, yet she notes she didn t feel stared at as much as she had expected. She also pointed out that Mumbai is probably one of the safer cities in India, even if the crowds and traffic are intimidating. The biggest visible danger, she says, was simply the traffic and the fear of being hit by a car while crossing a road.
The Hiccup that Didn t Break the Trip: A Tour That Didn t Meet its Moment
The worst moment came when she booked a tour around the street markets and the guide didn t meet her at the meeting spot outside one of the main stations. It was incredibly busy and crowded, and she couldnt get an Uber for about 20 minutes, so she waited there with a bad feeling. Nothing actually happened, but the moment lingered. She notes she didn’t have anyone come up to her for photos, which she heard can happen to tourists.
Final Take: Safety, Sensation, and a New Perspective on Travel
Ultimately Em felt safe during her travels and ended the video by saying she was so glad she visited India. She noted that the most dangerous aspect of Mumbai was traffic and the fear of being hit by a car crossing a road. She also emphasized that she only visited Mumbai, which she believes is probably one of the safer cities in India.
