Paharganj - safe place for a lone female?

Nik1

Hi there. I'm heading to Delhi in a couple of weeks time and its my first time travelling alone. I've booked the first couple of nights at Hotel Namaskar in Paharganj (its got such good reveiws here), but i've since met up with friends of friends from Delhi who have warned me that its a very dangerous area for a lone female, and suggested Karol Bagh as a safer alternative. I'm really not sure what to do now. The hotels in Karol Bagh do seem really good value but quite far from central Delhi. I would really appreciate any suggestions from other lone females. Thanks.

Casey

I think it is more of a traveller's centre and therefore attracts more touts, etc. who are all trying to get your attention to sell you something etc. As with any traveller centre in the world (bus stations world-wide) you have to be a bit more vigilent about theft, but I don't think Paharganj is a particulary dangerous area.

Adventurer_Prince

Yes i don't think either its dangerous area , there every years come many alone female , one of mine freind was stay in Sonu Guest House , its great and all guest house are fine , there is any problome to u , Its a center place where all Traveler come and stay , so dont worry , Just enjoy of market and Delhi's climate as well

Have a Nice Time in Delhi!

Ali

Alchemy

Since I recommended the Namaskar, I probably have to reply to this as well...

I never, ever felt unsafe in Paharganj -- whether it was during the "rush hour" (ie, pretty much all day) when it's so crowded that you can hardly move, or at 4am, when it's completely deserted (with the exception of the odd chai wallah). You will get the usual staring, but that's the same everywhere in Delhi, including Karol Bagh.

Fresa81

I'm in Paharganj right now, at the Smyle Inn, I'm female and I'm alone! I don't think I feel particularly 'unsafe' so much as f*** annoyed and uncomfortable!!

I don't think paharganj is everyone's cup of tea, I've definitely realised that its not mine! If you can handle the smell, the overwhelming poverty and being pestered by touts who will follow you for ages, then yes do it.

I won't be staying here on my way home, that's for sure

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Alchemy

Just say no. Once. Firmly. And then ignore them. That'll do the trick.

Everybody is freaked out by Paharganj, especially when it's your first day in India. It's a massive culture shock, but it makes the rest of India so much easier to stomach. Also, strangely, when you get back to Paharganj after a few weeks/months around the country, it no longer seems quite so extreme as it did on that first day.

For some advice on how to deal with that first day, see this thread or this one.

Adventurer_Prince

Right

Fresa81

I must be attracting some kind of 'super touts' resistant to any kind of words or actions. So far just saying ji-nahin and ignoring them is the only thing that works, as long as i walk really fast! I feel like I'm wandering around looking at the ground in case I meet a tout's eye ...

PeakXV

Your absolutely right! If your Tongue says "No" and your body language says 99% "No" and 1% "Yes" - they'll stick to you like white on rice. It's all learning the body language and strut that telegraph an overwhelming don't bother f__kin with me aura. It's not walking really fast with your head down or walking really slow with your head on a swival. It's that confident strut in between with eyes focused, little head movement and with an Indian-like cadence!

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

04274108

And make sure your staring right through their eyes when you're saying it so they know you've had enough. A sharp glare and a stern "naheen" was very unsettling for most of them.

lotus blossom

i've never stayed in paharganj but when i shop there alone, my feeling is that westerners are so common that we are not such a mystery, and therefore not paid all that much attention to. at least that is how is was for me when i was last there.

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Chandra

Oh, I'm sorry you feel that way! But most people I've talked to really hate the first place they come to in India, whichever it happens to be. Myself included. I'm going to give Bombay another chance this year, though, and I expect to like it!

It'll improve. Promise!

C

hawaiiyogagrl

Nik1- I agree with the above posts. If this is your first time in India, I think it will freak you out a bit. That said, clearly you are an adventurous woman to be travelling alone to India. It depends on your level of comfort and confidence. Paharganj can be totally crazy-overwhelming, or it can be exciting and vibrant. Understand that you aren't in a super posh safe place, but your also not in a war zone where women are frequently abducted.
My least favorite part about being a woman alone in Delhi is having my ass grabbed in a crowd. But that happened in Caunnaught, not the main bazzar. Just don't be afraid to confront the loser-geek who hassels you!
make the choice that will make you the most comfortable, and if it turns out to be the wrong one, just move! Have fun, sister!

Fresa81

Thanks Chandra so no matter where I stayed, I would have hated it then?

I feel like I've been here forever, its only been 3 days!!! I think I'm slowly getting used to the main bazaar though, but I'm leaving today for Varanasi and I have to admit, I am SO happy to be getting away from Delhi!

I am really close to changing my flight to leave India altogether, but I don't want to overreact and then regret it! Half of me (the paranoid, western, 'safe' half) just wants to give up and go home, while the other half is quietly saying 'giveitachancegiveitachance... ..'

You all promise it'll get better??

Indianworker

Fresa 81

I am currently living and working in Delhi and have to admit that when I visited Pharaganj didn't find it to my liking although found it interesting but glad I don't stay there. There are lovely parts to Delhi that are more peaceful and may I suggest the Master Paying Guest House for your stay on your way back. I live just down the road from this place and it is a lovely place, haven't stayed there but visited it a while back to see it so I could feel confident about recommending it and I would certainly stay there if I had too.

It is just off the Shanker Road which is a 15-20 minute rickshaw ride from Connaught Place and costs about 20-25rps. The area is safe, the road is peaceful at night and the area with a park at the top is very different to Pharaganj.

Just thought I would write this to give you another choice if you wanted one.

Best wishes

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Indianworker