"Solo Journeys in India: Navigating the Transport Tapestry via tuk-tuks, trains and planes….”
Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest’s 5 Steps to Solo Travel Guide for women like you who need extra support traveling the world (slowly), one woman at a time.
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I’ve been traveling solo since 1972 and writing about it since 1993. Now you can experience the Top Selling Book Series: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, a Woman’s Guide to Travel and Destinations in Her Prime, found on Amazon. I recently took a 90-day trip around the world, and this is a special episode on Indian transportation for the solo female.
What are the challenges faced by solo female travelers in India? How can they navigate the transportation system in India? What are the travel tips for exploring India's transport networks as a solo female traveler?
This particular podcast edition is about the "Roads Less Traveled, including a few Solo Female Travel Tips for Exploring India's Transport Networks"
There was a massive train crash while I was in India, and many people were tragically killed. The people I was staying with had friends on those trains, but they were ok. Many of my family members contacted me across the miles to see if I was ok, as it was world news. See the show notes for more on train accidents.
The world’s largest populated country has transportation challenges. Corruption, bureaucracy, and red tape are also issues. Corrupted officials leverage their control over permits to line their pockets. Income equality is massive. The wealthiest 10% makes up almost 60% of India's income. The future looks brighter.
One airline, Go First, went out of business after I bought my ticket in May 2023. I cannot get a refund because the airline is bankrupt and, therefore, will not honor any purchases of their flights, nor will the ticket agency through which I bought it.
I arrived in Chennai from a flight originating in Cambodia and transferred through Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I spent 8 hours in the airport, talking to people from all over the world. Here is a rundown of the travel I did over two weeks in six cities in India.
When going through airport security, you must be on an all-female line. Men and women are not allowed to go through together.
The same thing happened when I went to the Taj Majal. Separate security stations were established, and I even hit my head on that going through, as I am 5’ 10’, so I am taller than most other women.
Overall, I made many transportation mistakes, but they were all to help you make a better trip next time.
My travel mistakes in India: I was lied to by a taxi driver, had a driver with no shoes and no change, got scammed in the main Delhi train station, and had trouble finding a bus to Agra.
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