Get, set, travel: A comprehensive guide to solo travelling for women

When Niviya Vas, a Bangalore-based writer and marketer, ventured on her first solo trip, albeit for professional reasons, the lens through which she viewed travelling changed. "I was 26 when I first travelled solo in 2017 to Stamford, U.S.A. To be honest, this was a work trip, which I then extended for a week to explore some parts of New York City. So, in a way, New York was my first solo travel destination. Previously, I had only travelled with family or friends and followed plans and itineraries that weren't mine. I never had the desire to travel alone, probably because I didn't know better. My first solo travel experience changed how I viewed travel. It sparked something in me," she says.

"Whatever it was, I felt free of the shackles that held me back from dictating my terms and standing my ground. That singular experience allowed me to introspect and understand things that I genuinely like to do when I travel, and the pace at which I like to do them," the 36-year-old adds.

Many women like Niviya are venturing out on solo journeys, unlocking new experiences and redefining what travel means to them. However, as glamourous as it sounds, travelling alone can be daunting, especially for women, who have to navigate restrictions and safety considerations.

"Women's travel has made significant strides in recent years, allowing them to explore the world on their terms. With the option to travel alongside like-minded companions or in women-only groups, they can prioritise their safety without compromise. Additionally, more destinations are focusing on women's safety, boosting confidence in solo travel, making it a win-win situation," states Zinal Doshi, founder and CEO of Flapper Life, a women's travel company.

However, sometimes, the romanticisation of solo travel doesn't translate into reality.

"My experience in Stamford was as delightful as it could get in the grey, cold winter of the north. I had a lovely time walking around the streets, discovering new flavours and interacting with locals. New York City, on the other hand, was different. In full frankness, I hated the experience. For NYC to be someone's first solo travel destination is overwhelming. It's an intimidating, imposing city. It snowed almost daily. The tall buildings would have a sort of tunnel effect that made the streets feel colder than they were. I got lost taking the subway and had no one around to help. My phone kept dying, as did the battery pack. While I had enough cash on me, I was constantly worried about running out of money. In the peak of winter, I was alone in a big city that was indifferent to my comfort and survival, unlike home," reveals Vas.

Niviya Vas

However, the experience did give her memories to cherish. "NYC was also the place of many firsts - my first Broadway show, my first plate of oysters, my first cocktail in a train station, my first experience of listening to stories from different locals. The city showed me that being alone and being lonely are two different things. Despite my wallowing in misery and self-pity, I realised that I like to face such challenges alone, without having the safety net of family and friends," she says.

Solo travel can be intimidating and liberating at the same time. Introspection, research and planning can help in preparing for this duality. The first step is to be sure of what you want.

"My first solo trip was to Pondicherry in 2015. I was tired of the typical Indian parent mindset which was to get married and then go wherever you want. That's when I decided to start travelling solo and I think it wasn't one of the best things in the beginning, to be honest. I didn't enjoy it much," shares Divyakshi Gupta, a Mumbai-based travel blogger and tour curator.

"I feel solo travelling is suitable for someone based on these three Cs: when you want to build a deeper connection with people around you and the world around you, when you want to converse with strangers and when you have the curiosity to explore," she explains.

Divyakshi Gupta

Best destinations for solo women travellers
While it's difficult to pinpoint the best destinations, given everyone's varied experiences, Vas and Gupta list their recommendations.

"I haven't explored much of north India yet, so my destination recommendations are concentrated in the South," says Vas, adding a guideline, "Be mindful of the destination's local culture. Whether it's clothing, language, or how we carry ourselves, it's important to be respectful and welcoming of varied traditions."

She recommends the following domestic destinations.

• Pondicherry: Having solo travelled here several times, I've found Pondicherry to be safe and friendly for a solo woman traveller. There's plenty to do for each type of traveller - the culture buff, the history lover, the foodie, the photographer, the adventure enthusiast and the nature aficionado.
• Lakshadweep: Not many people know that Lakshadweep is as welcoming to solo women travellers as it is breathtaking. Locals will show some surprise at women travelling solo, but this is simply because they're used to seeing families and couples visiting. Lakshadweep's society is sort of matriarchal. Education for girls is a priority, and often, they are much more educated than the men. People are friendly, often pausing to smile at you. The union territory also has one of the lowest crime rates across the country.
• Hampi: Hampi is an open museum of sorts. I've always felt safe and comfortable here exploring the town at leisure, interacting with locals and travelling alone.
• Kochi: Tourism is a major revenue driver here, so it's safe to say that travellers, including solo women travellers, will find plenty to do here without any worry.

Her international recommendations are:

• Vietnam: In my interactions with other solo women travellers, Vietnam has been the first destination for many of them. I've walked alone at night in the streets of Hoi An way past closing time, gone caving in Phong Nha, and shared a beer with travellers and locals on the quaint Cham Island. There is so much to experience here that one trip to Vietnam just isn't enough.
• Greece: If you're a bit more adventurous, Greece is the place to be. Athens has a great hostel culture for solo travellers (just avoid an area called Omonia), and you can't go wrong with a leisurely trip to the Acropolis. For solo women travellers, I suggest exploring the smaller, quieter islands of Milos, Naxos, Paros and Sifnos instead of Santorini and Mykonos.

However, Gupta had a different experience in Athens, Greece. "I got pickpocketed there," she reveals, adding, "Internationally, I would say Middle-East was the safest for me. That has been the only place I've been out on the streets at 1-1:30 at night. In Europe, I've not got that vibe yet. You're constantly on your guard, whether it's Italy, Spain or even Greece."

Among domestic destinations, she recommends travelling to Southern India or Himachal in the North. "Himachal is one place I encourage women travellers to travel solo to. People out there are good in the majority of the pockets and they look out for women travellers. So, they're very welcoming that way," she says.

Essential safety tips for solo women travellers
Vas lists down the following safe essentials.

• Always carry a fully-charged battery pack for your phone.
• Carry a flashlight and an umbrella. These double up as weapons when needed.
• Share all information - hotel phone numbers, itinerary, flight/bus/train schedules, etc. with a trusted family member and a friend back home. If you're using a local or global ride-sharing app, make sure to share your ride each time with someone you trust.
• Avoid carrying and wearing expensive jewellery.
• I know this is anti-aesthetics, but I'm never dressed my best while travelling. Instead, I choose clothes that are a bit worn in and are tailored to local customs and traditions. It helps keep unwanted attention at bay.
• Carry local currency in small notes, and keep the rest of your money loaded in a forex card.
• Trust your gut. If something feels off, it almost always is.
• Avoid sharing your number with people you don't need to.
• Don't overindulge in alcohol. Stick to a drink or two.
• Choose safety over budget, when it comes down to it.
• Avoid focusing on your phone too much. Pay attention to your surroundings.
• Keep a constant flow of communication with someone back home. You can set expectations with them - for example, if they don't hear from you by X time each day, they should call your accommodation, etc. to check up on you.
• Don't hurry to get anywhere. We tend to forget and lose important things when we're in a hurry and are also distracted when this happens, letting our guard down.

In addition to these guidelines, Gupta recommends keeping these safety apps handy while travelling alone.

• A translator helps a lot while travelling abroad. I've had long conversations with translators in Turkey.
• I highly recommend downloading Google Maps offline. When you are not in a network area, even though you have a SIM, even if you have international roaming, it's always better to have the map saved offline. You should at least know where you are.
• Some apps do a safety audit of cities and neighbourhoods. That helped me in selecting properties in Greece. This information is all crowdsourced.

What to choose - hotel, hostel or homestay?
"If it's a secluded place, I generally avoid homestays until it comes from a very strong recommendation," suggests Gupta.

"I had an unfortunate experience with a homestay in India once. I just did my primary research. But when I was there, I didn't like the vibe. Firstly, the property was very far from the main road. Secondly, because it was so secluded, there were network issues. And thirdly, the owner was a male and there was no female there. The washrooms were outside. And the male guests were drinking and smoking the entire duration. So, it became a very uncomfortable position to be in. I left immediately at 6 the next morning," she reveals.

"I've now made it a point and what I want to advise other solo women travelers also is that If you come across a cute Pinteresty homestay on Instagram and all the reviews are nice but you want to dig a little deeper, request a video - a room video, so you know exactly what you're signing up for. Ask for information like walking distance from the main road and whether there is a network. When I am in places that are not so popular, I prefer hotels," she adds.

"I have stayed in hostels. I think that's also a very great option. I've stayed in private rooms, not dorms. They are a great way to exchange information and stories. They're safe too," she further states.

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Packing essentials
Gupta recommends the following essential items that a woman should carry while travelling solo.

• Always carry a sling bag to keep your belongings. I also have pouches that are like slings, which you can wear inside your clothes.
• Pepper spray can be useful. To be honest, I have never used it.
• Hygiene products are extremely important, especially toilet hygiene products like disposable toilet covers, sprays and sanitisers.
• One should carry a first-aid kit, irrespective of gender.

How can one get started with solo travel?
While destinations, packing essentials, etc., are things that one can plan after research, the first step is to prepare oneself for taking the plunge.

"I know many people say that every woman should travel solo at least once in her lifetime. I disagree. Solo travelling for women is an eye-opening experience. And while there are several wonderful stories about it, solo travel isn't every woman's cup of tea. And that's perfectly fine. If you're more comfortable travelling in a group, with family or with friends, don't let anyone shame you for your choice," shares Vas.

"I think the first thing is figuring out whether you can do stuff alone. Solo travel is so hyped. They think that it's all very fancy. No, it's not. It's a challenge. I think it's better to take mini-challenges first. So, go for a meal. Go for a movie alone. Spend a day with yourself outside alone in your city and figure out whether you like your company," suggests Gupta.

To get started with this journey, travelling solo with travel groups can be beneficial.

"In women-led travel groups, safety is a top priority as accommodation and activities are offered to keep women's safety in mind. The group trips are led by local guides who are well-connected to the destinations they are traveling to. Also, solo woman travellers can meet like-minded communities on the go which creates lasting friendships and makes the journey comfortable and fun," believes Doshi.

Vas has the following advice for solo women travellers wanting to embark on this journey.

• Choose a destination that works for you. It's fine to pick something closer to home. A weekend getaway from your city is a great starting point because it will build your confidence in solo travel. There's no shame in starting small.
• Look for destinations that are known to be safe, and are vouched for by other female solo travellers, especially ones who travel on a tight budget. Why? Because if a destination is safe for a solo woman who is living in bare-bones accommodation and thriving on street food, it's safe for almost anyone.
• Safety first, budget later. Always choose the option that seems safer than cheaper - whether it's a destination, accommodation, experience, food, shopping, or anything else.
• Don't discount your country. India is vast! At every nook and cranny, there's a story waiting to be told. Every city, town and village is a destination in itself, and each place is unlike the other, even within the same state. Since it's home, there's a higher chance of seeking and getting help, in tough times.
  While solo travel can be a memorable experience, it can also have an impact on one's day-to-day life.

"When women step out and take the plunge, nothing can be more rewarding than that. I think that also helps you live your life when you're back from the trip. You make decisions even in your day-to-day life. It's not just limited to that one vacation or that one flight ticket, It readies women to live by themselves, even beyond that vacation," concludes Gupta.