Travelling as a solo woman traveller is already exhausting; safety in remote places poses another issue. Choosing the right accommodation, travelling during the day, avoiding flashy and expensive jewellery, and more are some practical ways in which you can keep yourself relatively safe.
Step-By-Step List Of Precautions To Take On Your Next Solo Trip As A Woman
Follow this safety guide for essential safety precautions that you can take on your next travel plan, especially if you are a woman travelling solo.
1. Where To Stay
- Book your stays at homestays and with local families that have good reviews in the area instead of isolated guesthouses.
- Share the details and location of your lodging with your family and friends for extra safety.
- Inform your host family about your whereabouts when going out.
Pro Tip: You can also try to befriend local women who can share safety tips with you about the area.
2. How To Travel
- Try to always book your transportation through trusted and verifiable sources rather than hitchhiking.
- When travelling solo, always make sure to share your live location and driver details with the people you trust when using local transport.
Pro Tip: Make sure the driver is aware that you shared their details and live location with other people.
Be aware of your surroundings (Image Credits: Pexels)
3. What To Wear
- Avoid showing off expensive and flashy jewellery or phones.
- Try to wear modest or locally acceptable clothing when visiting remote areas.
Pro Tip: Carry a scarf or shawl with you to cover your head when visiting holy places as sometimes they require a dress code to enter.
4. When To Sightsee
- To make travelling less stressful, you can create an itinerary which covers all places during the daytime.
- Try to travel after sunset as little as possible.
Pro Tip: If you can, connect with other women travelling there at the same time through your homestays. This way, you can go sightseeing together and avoid being isolated in remote places.
5. How To Maintain Boundaries
- Always be firm with your boundaries.
- Say no and mean it when you don’t want to do something or go somewhere.
- Don’t let anyone coerce you into doing something you have no intention of doing.
- Trust your gut in all situations, as you can only rely on yourself when it comes to safety.
Pro Tip: Lie to people who ask personal questions about you. Lie about where you are staying, your name, your travel plans, etc. and don’t feel bad about it. Also, avoid sharing that you’re travelling alone whenever you can.
6. How To Eat Safely
- Keep an eye on what you are eating and drinking and from where.
- Don’t consume anything shared by an unknown person, no matter how friendly they look.
- Eat packaged food and drinks when on the go so you don’t have to worry about it.
Pro Tip: You can carry a cover for your glass with you to always cover your drinks in public. Also, avoid drinking from a glass if you left it unattended, even for a while, as you never know if something was mixed in it.
Travel and experience more (Image Credits: Pexels)
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A few must-knows to help in your next travel plans:
- Download offline maps of the area or buy a local map when travelling.
- Wear loose kurta/tshirts and pants or trousers to make it easier to blend in, as it works everywhere.
- Always pretend to know where you are going and what you are doing, even if you are unsure, as it deters anyone with ill intentions.
- Research and note down the local and national helpline numbers for women so you can ask for help anytime if needed.
- Carry a local SIM that works in the area and recharge it so you have an easier time staying connected with family and friends back home.
- If possible, book your travel with a trusted women travel group as it’s safer and you get to make new friends with similar hobbies.
Category | Key Safety Practice | Pro Tip |
Accommodation | Choose well-reviewed homestays or family-run lodgings over isolated spots; share check-in details and daily whereabouts with family and hosts. | Befriend local women to get insider safety advice on the area. |
Transport and Navigation | Use verified transport services, avoid hitchhiking, and share live tracking/driver info with trusted contacts. | Let the driver see or know that you shared their details and live location. |
Dress and Valuables | Keep expensive jewellery and tech out of sight; dress modestly according to local norms, especially in rural areas. | Carry a scarf or dupatta to cover your head and shoulders at religious sites. |
Timing and Itinerary | Schedule travel and sightseeing for daytime hours; minimise moving around after sunset. | Team up with fellow female travellers staying at your accommodation for group outings. |
Boundaries and Privacy | Enforce firm boundaries, say "no" assertively, and trust your gut instincts above politeness. | Lie freely about your name, hotel, itinerary, or solo status to nosy strangers. |
Food and Drink | Never accept food or drinks from strangers; prioritise sealed, packaged goods while on the move. | Carry a drink cover, and discard any unattended drink immediately. |
FAQs
Is travelling in India safe for a woman solo traveller?
Yes, it’s relatively safe, as many women travel solo safely in India each year. You have to make sure you select the main routes and research the place you are planning to visit. Advanced planning is always a plus to be aware of your destination.
What is the safest way to get around at night if I have no choice?
Choose app-based rides if possible and share your live location and rider’s details with your family and friends. Also, if travelling by train, book an upper-tier seat in 3rd or 2nd reserved coaches, as they are safer.