Solo Travel for Women - Advice and Planning by GhoomoPhiro
Tips for Females Solo Travelers
The increase in Solo Women travel is probably the best symbol and most rewarding of the outcomes of women empowerment in India. Whether it is female students looking for some fun or housewives looking for a break from their families, Solo travel for women is a rising trend and is here to stay.
Ghoomophiro Sisters love this trend and are here with some advice for aspiring solo women travelers about how to plan their vocation:
1. Know about technological tools
While Facebook might be full of jokes that shows how women don’t understand technology much. There is nothing to warrant any such claims. And we at Ghoomophiro highly recommend that women know about such internet tools which might help them during their travels. Some of such tools which are also easier to master are Google Maps, hotel booking sites, internet banking, Find my device (for finding lost mobiles), note keeping apps etc.
2. Start with a safe destination.
Even the safest destinations on Earth can be wild for first-time solo women travelers – especially given the increase in a number of crimes against women in recent times. So first advice by Ghoomophiro sisters is to play it safe till you have first hands experience. When it comes to India, the following is a list of destinations considered safe:
Ladakh, Khajuraho, Sikkim, Nainital, Varanasi, Pondicherry, Rishikesh, Udaipur, Goa, Kaziranga, Sikkim, Hampi, Pondicherry, Mysore etc.
3. Travel light
Ghoomophiro sisters beg you to have mercy on your beautiful shoulders and take along a light adjustable backpack on your travels. Remember that you will probably be bringing back home stuff from your destination as souvenirs and leave room for that. Consider cutting on makeup and other accessories you can do without and focus on what is necessary while packing.
4. Travel Clean
Ghoomophiro sisters advice you to not trust in the success of Swachh Bharat movement too much. You must still carry your own paper soaps and sanitary napkins.
5. Travel Safe
One of the biggest hindrances when it comes to solo travel for women is safety While choosing a safe destination goes a long way to avoid any safety issues, the following are further advice from Ghoomophiro sisters in that regard:
a. Protect your money and financial and identity documents.
An easy measure in this regard is to keep them in a cross-body strap bags - since they can’t be nicked in a grab-and-run. You should always keep this bag with yourself. Remember to leave photocopies of same with a friend or relative back home. Prefer internet banking as far as possible.
b. Keep your mobile batteries charged
Ghoomophiro sisters will also advise you to make sure your mobile batteries are charged all the time. Preferably keep a power bank.
c. Use registered taxis
Ghoomophiro sisters recommend using registered taxies wherever available. Also, remember to note down taxi number and update it the number in an online catalog.
d. Do not panic
If you are lost and internet connectivity, do not panic or it will show in your face and might attract predators. Do not stop a passerby to ask for the address. Instead, enter a crowded restaurant or café and ask for directions with confidence.
e. Avoid predators
There is no knowing which man you will meet is a sexual predator. While that is no reason to be rude to every man you meet, refuse gently and firmly any drinks offered by men. Don’t let yourselves be invited to places where you will be lonely.
And finally and most importantly, remember to have fun.
Must read: 10 Tips for Women Solo Travel