The very first concern before heading out on a solo trip is
safety; how to enjoy and make the best out of your vacation while staying safe
and sound. From the experience of my past solo travels, I am sharing some handy
tips to have immense fun and come back with amazing memories from your solo
trip.
1. Always prefer public transport: They are much safer, and
way more cheap than hiring a taxi for yourself. This February, I caught a
Kerala SRTC AC-bus from Cochin International airport to Alleppey, Kerala, India
for only Rs. 120/-, in contrast to the whopping private taxi rate of Rs.
2500/-.
2. Research about the place widely online: Being a travel
itinerary enthusiast myself, I have this habit of researching hostels,
restaurants, sightseeing spots, transportation, local markets, etc. beforehand
and listing them down so when I'm actually in the destination city, I can enjoy
and relax without worrying.
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| Bunkyard Backpackers Hostel, Udaipur, Rajasthan |
3. Make sure your cell phone is well-charged: Also carry a
power bank along with two sim cards of
different mobile operators for a better connectivity. If you're travelling to a
rainfall prone area, make sure you have plastic sealed pouches to avoid your
phone from the water.
4. Stay in a dormitory room of a backpacker's hostel instead
of a hotel room: Other than being light on the pocket, backpackers hostels are
safer and comfortable for solo travelers. You can lock your luggage in the
lockers provided by the hostel and take a carefree stride around the city. Meeting
new people from different nationalities and making friends in your dorm room is
the cherry on the top of your fun solo trip!
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| Zostel Alleppey, Kerala |
5. Book a taxi/auto-rickshaw/tuk-tuk : Some hostels have
contracts/contacts with local taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers which provide a
sightseeing-package of a number of tourist sites for a reasonable (mostly)
amount of money. These might be a little more expensive, but are much safer
since hostels provide regular business to the drivers.
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| Rajish Anna, the coolest auto-rickshaw driver I've ever met! |
6. Chat with the
locals: Sure you already checked for the markets and souvenir shops online
before boarding that plane, but sometimes a suggestion from your hostel
manager, or the taxi driver might actually land you up in better and
not-so-expensive local markets! The same goes for restaurants, tourist
sites, and transportation facilities.
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| Traditional Rajasthani Curry and Garlic Tawa Bread, Millets of Mewar, Udaipur, Rajasthan |
7. Save important phone numbers in your phone beforehand:
This includes the local police station phone number, nearby hospital, and hostel/hotel
reception.
8. Carry your important medicines and a small first-aid kit:
If you're travelling to the mountains, it is advisable to carry medicines for
flu, fever, antacids, etc. along with your regular meds, if any. Similarly,
carry sun blocks, moisturizing creams, and oral rehydration solution (ORS)
while near the sea. Carry your prescription (if any) along to avoid any
inconvenience at the airport.
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| Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan |
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