Telangana is a landlocked state in south-central India on the Deccan Plateau, home to Hyderabad, the Qutb Shahi and Nizam heritage of Golconda and Charminar, and the Kakatiya temples of Warangal and Ramappa.
Telangana, including Hyderabad, is considered a relatively safe destination for foreign visitors, with low levels of violent crime against tourists. Common problems are pickpocketing in crowds, auto and taxi overcharging, touts near Charminar and fake guides, and traffic accidents. Heat stress in March-May and mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue in the monsoon are the main health risks. Hyderabad City Police run a dedicated She Teams unit for women's safety.
Current safety advisory
Low
The US State Department rates India Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) nationwide because of crime and terrorism, with higher levels for some border and northeastern areas; Telangana is not among the restricted areas. Check travel.state.gov and the UK FCDO for the latest wording.
Last updated: 2026-09
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Emergency numbers: 112 (single national emergency number), 100 (police), 108 (ambulance), 181 (women's helpline); Telangana Tourism toll-free line 1800 4254 6464.
Hyderabad SHE Teams (Telangana Police) accept women's safety reports by WhatsApp at 94906 16555.
Hospitals: Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills (040 2360 7777; Apollo emergency 1066), Yashoda Hospitals Somajiguda, Rainbow Children's Hospital Banjara Hills, NIMS Punjagutta.
Use Uber, Ola or Rapido for fixed-fare rides; if hiring an auto-rickshaw, insist on the meter or agree the fare first.
Drink only sealed or filtered water; eat at busy stalls with high turnover to lower the risk of stomach upsets.
Old City lanes and Laad Bazaar are crowded, particularly on Friday afternoons and during Ramzan; keep bags in front and phones out of sight.
Legal drinking age in Telangana is 21; carry photo ID. Dry days (no alcohol sales) occur on certain national holidays and election days.
Heat: avoid open-air sites from 11 AM to 4 PM in April-June; carry water and take breaks.
Monsoon flooding can close roads in low-lying areas for a few hours; allow extra time for airport transfers in July-September.
Photography rules: tripods and drones are restricted at ASI-protected monuments; ask before photographing worshippers.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Auto and taxi overcharging
Drivers at Hyderabad airport, stations and Charminar quote inflated flat fares or claim meters are broken
How to avoid: Use Ola, Uber or Rapido, or the airport prepaid taxi counter; confirm the fare before entering an auto.
Charminar touts and pearl shops
Touts steer visitors to commission shops selling fake or overpriced pearls, attar and bangles
How to avoid: Compare prices in more than one shop, buy pearls only from established dealers with certificates, and ignore unsolicited guides.
Fake guides at heritage monuments
Unlicensed guides at Golconda Fort, Charminar and Chowmahalla offer tours at inflated fees
How to avoid: Hire only ASI or Telangana Tourism-approved guides with ID badges and confirm price before starting.
Closed-attraction or full-hotel claims
Drivers say a monument or hotel is closed or full and redirect to a commission shop or hotel
How to avoid: Check opening hours online and insist on the booked destination.
Rigged gem and carpet shops
Some shops claim government-approved status while selling low-quality items at high prices
How to avoid: Avoid buying valuables from drivers' suggestions; use fixed-price government emporia.
Fake tickets and booking sites
Unofficial websites sell overpriced Ramoji Film City or monument tickets
How to avoid: Buy tickets from the official site or the on-site counter.
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- Routine vaccines plus Hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly recommended; Hepatitis B, rabies pre-exposure (for long stays or rural travel) and Japanese encephalitis (rural monsoon travel) should be reviewed with a travel clinic. A yellow fever certificate is required only when arriving from a risk country.
- Water
- Tap water is not safe to drink; use sealed bottled or filtered water, and avoid ice from unknown sources.
- Food
- Street food is a highlight but choose busy stalls with freshly cooked food; avoid pre-cut fruit and raw salads if sensitive. Traveler's diarrhea is the most common problem; carry oral rehydration salts.
- Facilities
- Hyderabad has India's major private hospitals: Apollo Jubilee Hills, Yashoda Hospitals Somajiguda, KIMS Secunderabad and CARE Banjara Hills. Government facilities include Osmania and Gandhi hospitals. Rural Telangana has limited care, so travel insurance with evacuation cover is advised.
- Hospitals
- Name
- Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills
- City
- Hyderabad
- Phone
- +91 40 2360 7777
- Address
- Road No. 72, Film Nagar, Jubilee Hills
- Notes
- Large multi-specialty hospital with 24-hour emergency
- Name
- Yashoda Hospitals Somajiguda
- City
- Hyderabad
- Phone
- +91 40 4567 4567
- Address
- Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda
- Notes
- Major private hospital with emergency and trauma care
- Name
- KIMS Hospitals
- City
- Secunderabad
- Phone
- +91 40 4488 5000
- Address
- 1-8-31/1 Minister Road, Krishna Nagar Colony, Secunderabad
- Notes
- Multi-specialty hospital near Secunderabad Junction
- Name
- CARE Hospitals Banjara Hills
- City
- Hyderabad
- Phone
- +91 40 6165 6565
- Address
- Road No. 1, Banjara Hills
- Notes
- Cardiac and general emergency care
- Mosquito Borne
- Dengue and chikungunya peak in the monsoon (Jul-Oct); use DEET repellent, cover arms and legs at dusk and choose air-conditioned or screened rooms. Malaria risk is low in Hyderabad but higher in tribal forest districts.
- Heat
- March-May highs of 38-42C and occasional heat waves above 45C; drink water and electrolytes, wear light cotton and avoid midday sightseeing.
- Pharmacy
- Apollo Pharmacy and MedPlus outlets operate across Hyderabad, many 24 hours; carry prescriptions with generic drug names.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Solo travelers in Hyderabad and Telangana generally report few problems. Staying in well-reviewed hotels, using app cabs at night, sharing plans with a contact and avoiding isolated hilltops and lakefronts after dark are sensible. A local SIM is useful for maps and ride hailing.
Female travellers
Hyderabad is considered one of India's safer big cities for women, and the city police operate She Teams (WhatsApp 94906 16555, dial 100) plus the 1091 women's helpline. Harassment (staring, unwanted touching in crowds) is still possible. Modest dress in the Old City, women-only metro coaches, app cabs at night, sharing ride details with a contact and avoiding empty streets after dark are advised.
Families
Telangana is family-friendly with good hospitals in Hyderabad. Child car seats are rarely provided by cabs, so bringing one is advised; sealed water, sun protection in summer and care with traffic near markets are the main points. Baby food and diapers are widely available in Hyderabad supermarkets.
LGBTQ+ travellers
India decriminalised same-sex relations in 2018, but same-sex marriage is not legally recognised and social attitudes are mixed. Hyderabad has a visible LGBTQ+ community and Pride events, but public displays of affection are best avoided. Discretion is advised in rural Telangana.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 100 or 112
- Medical
- 108 (state ambulance) or 112
- Fire
- 101 or 112
- General Emergency
- 112 (national emergency number, works nationwide)
- Women Helpline
- 1091 or 181
- Child Helpline
- 1098
- Tourist Helpline
- Telangana Tourism toll-free 1800-425-46464 (verify before travel); India tourist helpline 1363 (24x7, multilingual)
- She Teams
- Hyderabad City Police She Teams: WhatsApp 94906 16555 or dial 100
- Main Hospital
- Apollo Hospitals, Road No. 72, Film Nagar, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad; +91 40 2360 7777
- Embassy Us
- US Consulate General Hyderabad, Paigah Palace, 1-8-323 Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet; +91 40 4033 8300
- Embassy Uk
- British Deputy High Commission Hyderabad, Begumpet; check gov.uk for the current number