Delhi - 1, Kerala - 9: British traveller’s ‘no sugar-coating’ safety ratings for Indian cities spark north-south debate

A foreign traveller’s candid review of safety across Indian cities has triggered a wave of reactions online. Instagram creator @discoverwithemma_ shared a reel titled “No sugar-coating, just my honest experience after weeks across 8 cities,” in which she rated how safe she felt while travelling solo across India — from Delhi to Kerala.

Her experiences, both thrilling and tiring, have become a talking point on social media, especially among solo travellers and Indians curious about how visitors perceive their cities.

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A post shared by Emma ✈️🌏 UGC | BANGKOK 🇹🇭 | Backpacking South East Asia✨ (@discoverwithemma_)

Delhi gets -1: “I wouldn’t want to be alone there”

Emma began her trip in Delhi, which she called the most difficult stop. Scoring it -1/10, she described the city as “overwhelming.” The constant stares, noise, and chaos made her uneasy. “I wouldn’t want to be alone there,” she admitted, setting the tone for her journey ahead.

Agra: Beautiful Taj Mahal, tiring experience
Agra fared slightly better at 3/10. Emma praised the Taj Mahal as “beautiful” but said the city’s “relentless honking and tourist scams” left her exhausted. “Locals are used to tourists,” she noted, “but it still felt like everyone wanted something from me.”

Jaipur and Pushkar: More manageable but still traditional
In Jaipur, Emma felt somewhat more comfortable, giving it 5/10. She enjoyed exploring forts during the day but found evenings “challenging for solo travellers.”

Pushkar brought her some peace. Rating it 6.5/10, she said it felt “peaceful and respectful,” though warned that it “gets quiet after dark.”

Udaipur and Mumbai: Friendly, fast-paced, and relatively safe
Her tone shifted positively in Udaipur, which she rated 8/10. With scenic lakes and kind locals, Emma said she felt relaxed exploring alone.

In Mumbai, she appreciated the city’s fast pace and sense of independence. “Seeing women out alone and being able to get Ubers easily made me feel safer,” she said, rating it 6.5/10.

Goa and Kerala: Calm, clean, and respectful
Goa, with its easygoing vibe, earned 8/10. Emma called it “free-spirited and easygoing,” though she advised that “nighttime required more care.”

Her final stop, Kerala, received the highest score — 9/10. She described it as “calm, clean, and respectful,” and said locals were polite and transport reliable.

“This is about safety, not preference”
In the comments, Emma clarified, “This is rating how SAFE I felt in each place not how much I liked it. Although they are closely correlated.”

Her post has gone viral, sparking praise and debate. One user commented, “I have travelled to almost all cities of India and I realised the same as you mentioned. But please add 1 to Kerala, it should be 10/10.” Another wrote, “I knew that Kerala would get the highest rating even before watching the reel.”

A wider conversation on safety and solo travel
Emma’s unfiltered perspective has turned into a broader discussion about how India’s cities can feel vastly different — especially for solo women travellers. While some defended their hometowns, others appreciated her honesty, calling it a useful guide for future visitors exploring India beyond the brochures.