Here are some traveling tips that every traveler who is Travelling Solo for the first time 👇👇👇
Many people find it superior to traveling
alone which is one of the biggest benefits of traveling solo. It gives a power
of self-control and independence which can be empowered on self. A solo trip is one such kind of life experience
that you will cherish for the rest of your life. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts that can be followed
by every solo traveler.
Do’s: ✅✅
1. Research your destination in India:- Gather information about the culture, customs, local laws, and essential travel details specific to your chosen destinations. Websites like Incredible India offer destination guides and travel tips [link to:- https://incredibleindia.org]. Greet people with Namaste, wherever you go, they will be pleased.
2. Pack light for your trip to India:- Traveling solo means you'll be responsible for carrying your luggage. Check out this article by Jamesclear for tips on packing light: [Link to:- https://jamesclear.com/ultralight-travel] and https://onebag.com
3. Stay connected in India:- Carry a local GSM Phone for loading a SIM card or a portable Wi-Fi device to stay connected with family and friends and for emergency situations. The popular service providers are Airtel and Jio Networks. Make use of free wifi services at airports and railway stations wherever possible.
4. Inform someone about your itinerary in India:- Share your travel plans with a trusted family member or friend on a Facebook group or your preferred networks. Engage only with a trusted source for homestays arrangement. Utilize the homestay contact for getting along with the local places.
5. Learn some short useful words in Hindi:- It is always useful to learn one local language as you cannot expect everyone to speak in English. India is a vast country with diverse cultures and religions and different people speak different languages based on the region you travel. However, the majority of Indian states speak Hindi.
6. Be cautious with personal information in India:- Protect your sensitive information to ensure your safety and privacy. Don’t reveal any OTP or any of your personal details to unknown persons, have your phone locked with a password, keep your wallet safe and beware of pickpockets.
7. Stay aware of your surroundings in India:- Be observant and alert, and keep vigil on announcements, especially in unfamiliar environments. Solo Traveller (solotravelerworld.com) provides safety tips for solo travelers, which are applicable globally, including India.
8. Embrace local customs in India: Respect the local customs, traditions, and norms of the places you visit in India. The culture map offers insights into various cultural activities and festivals that tourists can participate in and be part of tradition and customs, [Link to:- https://www.theculturemap.com/cultural-activities-experience-in-india/
9. Use travel apps in India:- Use travel apps that can be easily accessed from mobile. These apps offer maps, language translation, transportation information, and recommendations for solo travelers in India. Popular apps like Google Maps (maps.google.com) and TripAdvisor (TripAdvisor.in) are reliable options. Use popular travel cabs like Ola and Uber Cabs for local travel.
10. Get Insured:- Having Travel Insurance is a must in India, as Public hospitals are much more crowded and private hospitals require advance payment for any treatment. Make sure you have the requisite travel insurance to cover major illnesses and also for accidental insurance during adventurous activities.
11. Plan your trip around the seasons:- India is a vast country and most of the cities in India receive light to heavy rainfall during the months of June and July. So try to avoid these months as hill stations are prone to landslides and plans are prone to water logging everywhere. Plan your trip any time other than June and July and keep updated information on the weather forecast of all the places you intend to visit.
12. Book through reliable sources:- Book your tickets only through reliable sources and do not encourage local travel agents who are unknown to you. The official website for booking train tickets in India is http://irctc.co.in. Other booking sites like Agoda.com, makemytrip.com, easemytrip.com, and booking.com can be used for Travel and accommodation. The advantage of booking through these sites is they provide booking updates through SMS and email which no other unknown travel agent provides.
13. Tourist Helplines:- It is always better to keep Tourist Helpline numbers handy with you and stay safe (especially for those who are traveling solo). Stay connected with these official Tourist Helpline numbers created by the Government of India. The 24x7 Toll-free Tourist Helpline number is 1800-11-1363, Short Code: 1363 The languages supported are English, Hindi, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin (Chinese), Portuguese and Russian. This toll-free helpline will not only provide general information related to travel and tourism in India but also serve as a helpline in times of emergencies and distress. This is really a helpful feature that facilitates both domestic as well as foreign tourists in India. In addition, you can also have these helpline numbers handy with you, especially for women.
- Women In Distress 1091
- Women Helpline Domestic Abuse 181
- Police 112 / 100
- National Commission For Women (NCW) ( Domestic violence 24x7 helpline for Sexual Violence and harassment ) 7827170170
- National Commission For Women (NCW) 011-26942369, 26944754
Don'ts:- ❌❌❌
1. Don't overshare on social media while in
India:- Save your posts
and photos after you have left a particular place to maintain your
security. Avoid personal meetings with unknown persons, even though they offer
you free lunch or dinner or take you around free of cost.
2. Don't ignore travel advisories in India:- Stay informed about travel advisories,
warnings, and local regulations specific to your destinations in India. The
Indian Government's official website (india.gov.in) provides travel advisory
information and also keeps updated on weather reports wherever you go.
3. Don't carry excessive cash in India:- Opt for a combination of cash, cards,
and electronic payment methods for convenience and safety. The Better India
(thebetterindia.com) offers tips on cashless travel in India.
4. Don't neglect personal safety in India:- Take precautions to ensure your
personal safety, such as avoiding isolated areas at night and using authorized
transportation services, using underpasses or subways. Don’t forget to carry the emergency
helpline and women's helpline numbers shared above.
5. Don’t forget to take breaks:-
Even if you feel that you can travel non-stop don’t forget to get some
short breaks and have something to eat like fruits, juice, or an energy bar and
also take some rest which will refresh your mind and body.
6. Don’t
leave your luggage and belongings unattended:- Do not leave your luggage unattended or hand
over to someone to take care of unless they are known to you. Always carry only the essential things that
you require and leave the rest of the luggage where you stay.
It is always a thrilling but fearful
experience for Solo travelers, especially for first-time travelers. But this is going to give you a great lesson-learned experience for your future visits.
Enjoy your travel and stay connected. Share your experience with us on our travel community page