Hyderabad

Is Hyderabad safe for tourists?

UK government travel advice warns against travel to some parts of India, and Telangana, with Hyderabad, is not one of them. The risks are those of any big Indian city: snatch theft, online and card scams, unsafe late-night rides, plus summer heat and festival crowds.

What the official advice says

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border and to Jammu and Kashmir (except the city of Jammu), and against all but essential travel to Manipur. Telangana and Hyderabad are not on that list, though the FCDO adds that no travel can be guaranteed safe.

Its India-wide warnings still apply:

Theft: take care of belongings on buses, trains and in crowds; thieves on motorbikes ride past and snatch valuables.
Scams: cybercrime, card skimming and confidence tricks are common, and scammers, pickpockets and ticket touts target foreigners in tourist areas.
Drinks: don't accept drinks or food from strangers or leave a drink unattended.
Women travellers: verbal and physical harassment is common, and there is a risk of sexual assault; avoid isolated areas when alone at any time of day.
Crowds and terrorism: the FCDO says terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in India, advises avoiding protests and large gatherings, and notes stampedes at big religious events.

The country-wide picture is in Is India safe?.

For women travellers: SHE Teams

Hyderabad is where Telangana Police launched SHE Teams in October 2014, units that now work in every district of the state. Officers in plain clothes patrol known hotspots and act against men who harass women, using photo or video evidence. A complaint can be made in person, through social media, on WhatsApp or through the police Hawk Eye app; in an emergency dial 100 or 112. The national women's helpline is 1091.

On the metro, seats are reserved for women in half of the first or last coach, depending on the direction of travel. After dark, prefer an app cab to a street taxi, especially alone.

Getting around safely, day and night

Most trouble on the road is about the fare, and booking through an app removes it.

Book autos and cabs in an app — The auto-rickshaw meter tariff exists on paper; in practice everyone books through Rapido, Uber or Ola, and the price is fixed before you get in. A pickup surcharge of approximately ₹20 is standard and not a scam.
Don't hail taxis on the street at night — The FCDO advises against travelling alone and hailing taxis on the street, especially at night. App rides let you share your journey with someone who can follow your location.
From the airport — Rajiv Gandhi International is about 30 km south of the city. The airport says all authorised transport is available around the clock; app cabs work at the terminal, and Pushpak electric buses run to various parts of the city. More on the Hyderabad airport.
On trains — Carry valid ID, keep your passport and valuables close, as thefts are common, and ignore people at stations offering tickets and tours. Hyderabad has three main stations far apart, Secunderabad, Hyderabad Deccan (Nampally) and Kacheguda, so check which one is on your ticket.

Scams in Hyderabad

On the street, most trouble is about the fare: the auto-rickshaw meter tariff exists on paper, so agree nothing on the kerb and book through an app, which fixes the price before you get in. Buy monument and show tickets only at official counters or websites, not from touts.

The bigger risk is online. Hyderabad City Police run a dedicated Cyber Crimes Police Station, and the frauds it lists include OTP and card fraud, fake customer care, KYC and visa scams, and dating and investment frauds. Report online fraud straight away on the national cybercrime helpline 1930 (24/7) or at cybercrime.gov.in, and get a police report for your insurer. More in scams in India.

Heat, rain and festival crowds

From April to June the heat can reach 44–45 °C, so plan outdoor sights for early morning and carry water. From July to October cloudbursts can flood streets, and the FCDO notes that monsoon rain (June to November) disrupts big Indian cities.

The biggest crowds come with the festivals: the Ganesh immersion, when processions from across the city queue along Hussain Sagar (4–14 September 2027, expected); Bonalu, when the biggest crowds gather at the Mahankali temples of Secunderabad and the Old City (8 July – 1 August 2027, expected); Bathukamma, which ends at Tank Bund (10–18 October 2026); and the last nights of Ramzan, when the lanes around Charminar stay jammed into the small hours. Keep phones and wallets out of easy reach and agree a meeting point. Dates: festivals in Hyderabad.

Numbers to save before you land

112: India's national emergency number for police, fire and ambulance, with support in English, Hindi and other languages.
100: police.
1091: women's helpline.
1363 (toll-free 1800-11-1363): the Ministry of Tourism's tourist helpline, open 24/7 in 12 languages including Russian. It advises on reputable sites and services and takes complaints about companies.
1930: cybercrime and online fraud.