A traveller from the United Kingdom, now living in Bangkok, has sparked widespread discussion online after sharing her candid safety ratings for nine destinations across India, describing some places as warm and welcoming while calling others overwhelming and difficult to navigate alone.@discoverwithemma_ posted the rankings on Instagram after spending weeks travelling through different parts of the country. Framing the post as her honest experience with “no sugar-coating,” she rated each destination out of 10 based on how safe and comfortable she felt as a foreign woman traveller. Her list ranged from a striking -1/10 for Delhi to 9.5/10 for Nagaland, with several destinations in between receiving sharply mixed reviews.
The post quickly drew attention because it reflected something many travellers discover in India: experiences can change dramatically from one city or state to the next.
Delhi gets the lowest score
The lowest rating went to Delhi, which she scored -1/10. She described the capital as overwhelming, citing the constant noise, chaos and a sense of being on edge. She also said she would not want to be there alone.Delhi is often the first stop for international visitors arriving in India, and for many it can be a powerful introduction.
The city offers world-class heritage sites, vibrant markets and deep history, but it is also one of the country’s busiest urban centres, known for intense traffic, crowded public spaces and nonstop movement. For some travellers, that energy is exciting. For others, it can feel exhausting. For Emma, Delhi leaned a bit towards the exhausting side.
Tourist in Agra
Guwahati and Agra receive mixed reactions
Guwahati was rated 3/10. For Emma, some parts of the city, and the food were great.
However, she couldn’t understand the constant states. In Guwahati, she attended a concert that sadly left her harassed and feeling scared. For her, Guwahati was an uncomfortable stop on her trip.Her comments stood out because Guwahati is often seen as a gateway to Northeast India, a region many travellers praise for natural beauty and cultural diversity. Her experience suggests that even within one journey, positive moments and negative encounters can exist side by side.Agra also received 3/10. While she praised the Taj Mahal as beautiful, she said the wider city experience was harder to enjoy because of noise, scams and persistent approaches from people wanting something from tourists. It’s no surprise that Agra remains one of India’s most visited destinations because of the Taj Mahal, but we are no strangers to frequent complaints from travellers about touts and aggressive selling around major monuments.
Can something be done about this? That remains to be seen.
Jaipur and Pushkar land in the middle
Jaipur received 5/10. She said it felt better than Delhi and Agra, but she still experienced constant staring, though not in an aggressive way. She said exploring the city’s forts felt safe enough, but solo nights were something she would avoid. Jaipur is one of India’s most famous heritage cities, known for palaces, forts and colourful markets. And as per this post, for some, the city can get a tad uncomfortable too.
Pushkar scored 6.5/10. She described the town as tiny, spiritual and calm, saying it felt like a breath of fresh air after the pace of bigger cities. She added that locals were mostly respectful and chilled out, though she said she was still scammed there. She also noted that the town becomes quiet after dark, making evening planning important. Something travellers must keep in mind.
Meghalaya, Nagaland, Udaipur and Kerala score highest
Emma’s most positive experiences came in places she described as calmer, more respectful and less chaotic.
For instance, Meghalaya earned 9/10. She said she felt safe throughout her time there and would return “in a heartbeat,” praising both the scenery and the kindness of the people. But we all knew that already, didn’t we? Meghalaya is on everybody’s good list for a reason. Known for waterfalls, caves, forests and living root bridges, Meghalaya has become increasingly popular among travellers looking for nature-focused trips rather than crowded city tourism.Nagaland, a gem from the northeast, received the highest score at 9.5/10. She described it as beautiful with beautiful people and said she absolutely loved attending the Hornbill Festival. Truth be told, the annual Hornbill Festival has helped introduce more travellers to Nagaland, showcasing tribal cultures, food, music and traditions from across the state.Next on her list was Udaipur with a score of 8/10. She called it a complete shift in atmosphere after some of her previous stops, praising the lakes, polite locals and lower levels of chaos.
She added that it was the first city in North India where she felt comfortable walking alone during the daytime.Last, not the least, Kerala. With a score of 9/10, the state’s polite locals, safer-feeling transport and different overall vibe won Emma’s heart. She also suggested that travellers visiting India for the first time could consider starting there. For those planning an interesting holiday, Kerala is frequently promoted for backwaters, beaches, hill stations, healthcare tourism and relatively strong tourism infrastructure.
Here’s why the post resonated online
The rankings sparked debate because they touched on a larger truth: there is no single India experience. Travelling through India can feel like moving through multiple countries in one trip. Language, food, social norms, infrastructure, crowd density and attitudes toward tourists can vary sharply from region to region.For solo women travellers especially, feelings of safety are often shaped by everyday experiences rather than official numbers.
Being stared at, followed, approached aggressively or simply feeling unable to walk alone can strongly influence how a place is remembered.At the same time, respectful encounters, smooth transport, helpful locals and a calmer public atmosphere can quickly build confidence.Despite strongly criticising some destinations, Emma ended on an affectionate note. She described India as “intense, beautiful, frustrating and heart-warming all at once,” adding that the country can give you “the best day and the worst day in the same hour.”That line may explain why her post struck such a chord.
