Many a times the first question that is asked about solo women travel in India is, “is it even possible?” If you go by my limited experience the answer is yes but with caution. I never really intended to travel solo and my first solo trips were for work abroad rather than in India. And I could quite happily negotiate my way in an alien land and come back safely.
My first solo India traveling experiences were because I sometimes got invited by hotels to write about them. I clearly remember my very first one and how concerned my family was about my solo travel by car to Nainital. Being the first time even I was not convinced and I asked my hosts if I could bring a guest along and they were very gracious and agreed. My younger nephew and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay! I have come a long way since then. Since then I have done many invitations solo and never faced any problems. I guess such trips are safer also because if you are invited people on the property know and treat you accordingly.
But off late I have also traveled solo and organized everything on my own. These are more adventurous trips! For example I waked in to a hotel in Mussoorie and checked in on my own. I usually like rooms which can be locked from inside and cannot be opened by a master key. This room didn’t had anything like this. Just the normal door lock which can be turned by a master key! I was way too tired and I stayed there. When I told the person at the reception he said the hotel was almost full if that gives you a better feeling! And it did.
After we adopted our daughter I quickly realized that if I wanted to trek I needed to find group options or some safe areas for solo trekking. I did a group trek last year but I wanted to find out solo options too. Nepal emerged as one option as many women trek solo there and I was one of them. Apart from fellow Indians no one expressed any surprise that I was trekking solo.
Some of the things that I do when traveling solo-
- I don’t talk much, my body language doesn’t invite conversation from strangers! I know it is not much fun but then I am anyway not very talkative and I can enjoy my own company.
- As I have lived all my life in India I understand what is going around me and I understand the language most of the time.
- If I can I will travel during the day rather than at nights.
- Where ever I can I will take a flight rather than a night train. But this is very recent.
- I have usually asked for recommendations for travel agents when I am doing things solo. For example for my Everest Base Camp Trek I asked for recommendations and went with it.
- I go to what are considered to be safe destinations
- I prefer public transport to private transport.
- I will not go to isolated places all alone.
- I will avoid being out very late in the night.
- I will use my common sense and stay out from whatever doesn’t feel right.
But having said all this I have been lucky and never faced any serious hassle traveling alone!
Do you travel solo? What precautions do you take?
I have been following your blog for quite some time and I am totally amazed… I love to travel but have not been to many places actually, due to the reason that I am dependent still. Amazing. Especially the Antarctica trip that you are planning. Good luck.
I have few instincts that tells me “what must be done” , so i follow them. wish you all success for the trip to Antarctica on 2041 🙂
Must be very challenging travelling alone for a lady,
so far i’ve only travel alone in Malaysia
but my younger sister is on a solo trip round the world
and i heard she is going to Everest Base Camp this year.
I have rarely travelled alone, and honestly, I enjoy travelling with shankar and samhith, so have not really tried.. that said, when i first started exploring bombay on my own (way back when i joined college), it felt like i was travelling somewhere far far away… all the more so since it took me more than 2 hrs to reach my college in the first place and if i wanted to go anywhere else, i had to travel even more…. and i began spending whole days outside, on the roads, walking, exploring, getting to know my city… and the questions ppl asked made it sound all the more like i was going to some unknown place on my own “you go all the way to vt all alone? you return late at night? you eat alone? you walk all over colaba on your own? arent you afraid to travel in the train at night? what if you miss the last train? ” and so many more…. and the only time i travelled solo to pune, i actually ended up late thanks to a train breakdown, and had to spend the night at the railway station!! it was packed, thus reasonably safe, and thanks to no cellphones, my mom didnt actually know that i was all alone at the station till the next day! the only times recently i have travelled alone are on invitation trips.. and even then, i had bloggers for company, so i was not really alone….
I have never travel alone, but I praised those who do… they’re super brave 🙂
Hi Mridula..I have travelled alone for my work and stayed in hotels..But I also used to keep to myself and lock the room and be safe . Hoteliers also gave lot of care as they knew I was alone..
As long as we are sure and can take care of ourselves ,I don’t think there is any problem. I also made it a point to travel during the day only.
i just trust my instincts, it has helped me quite a lot
Hmmm interesting post. But I think something makes it easier to travel solo abroad than in India… u agree?
Excellent article, well doing,
This article will help to women for travel alone as well as it increase confidence level of women. just before me and my friend traveled in Chandigarh and had stayed their 5 star hotel in Chandigarh.
I love travelling alone..
http://www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com
Hey..on and off i follow ur blog as i love travelling too and actually would like to travel alone very soon…specially treks.
whte photograph ! nicely covered all elements 🙂
Women do travel solo in India & this trend is definitely catching up fast. Being a Bong, I’m an avid traveler. And after staying out of Calcutta for long & searching for a travel partner (read, “life partner”) in vain; I’m delighted to announce my first solo travel plans in India.
Hope it will be a life-changing experience for me.