Solo train travel allows you to think about whatever you want, but there can be a lot of dangers for solo women travellers in India.
Especially on long rail rides from one district to another. A lot may happen in a few hours, and every woman in India understands this. You may have already studied some articles or seen some videos on the internet to ensure your readiness. But we nevertheless wanted to make sure you were aware of certain additional safety precautions. So, may we have a look at some of the safety tips that every woman in India should follow?
Safety tips for women travelling solo on train
Download the offline version of the maps
You may have noticed that when travelling in India, you nearly never have a flawless network. Although there isn’t much danger when you’re alone on the train, there are plenty once you get off. Download the offline version of maps for the location you’re heading to ensure you know where you’re going after getting off a train.
All you have to do is go to Google Maps and search for the location or city you’re visiting. Then, at the bottom of the screen, where the location you searched is shown, click on Download. You can also save the offline map to a specific location, such as a restaurant or a hotel. This way, even if you don’t have an internet connection, you can be sure that if you take a cab or an auto to your destination, they won’t transport you anyplace else.
Always ensure you know where you’re going after getting off
After exiting the train, you will be asked if you want a cab or an auto. And the driver may become chatty and recommend that you go to a certain location, such as a hotel or lodging facility. If you ever find yourself in a scenario like this and haven’t yet booked a hotel or accommodation facility, lie. Never travel to destinations suggested by your driver just because you don’t know where you’re going.
Another thing you can do to avoid this is to book a room ahead of time to avoid being mixed up. You should also use online cab booking services to tell the driver where you want to travel. In this manner, they won’t be pressuring you to visit a location that may be unsafe.
Lie when you have to
When you travel alone as a woman in India, people would undoubtedly approach you and talk to you. While some people may be genuinely interested in striking up a conversation with a stranger, others may have hidden motives. So, when travelling alone, it’s wise not to reveal too much about yourself. When someone asks where you’re from, don’t give the actual location. Tell them about a location close to your home. If someone asks where you’re going and if you’ll be remaining alone once you are there, lie. Never provide a stranger details about where you’re going to stay or that you’ll be staying alone.
Other safety precautions for women travelling alone on trains in India include:
* Always let a friend or family member know where you are by sharing your location as soon as you step off the train.
* Don’t be scared to speak up if someone is doing anything that makes you uncomfortable.
* If someone offers you food or drinks while you’re on the train, decline. Ignore it politely.
* During particular seasons and festivities, avoid travelling alone. Because the train will be crowded and pressing, you may begin to feel frightened and uneasy.
