Author: Jameelah Wanderlust Medina
inquisitive, world traveler, altruist, truth-seeker, healer, human being...
🌍 Travel Tips for Autistic Travelers: A Guide to Enjoying the Journey, Your Way
🌍 Accessible Travel
Travel opens up the world — new cultures, foods, landscapes, and experiences — but for autistic travelers, it can also bring unique sensory, social, and logistical challenges. The good news? With the right planning and tools, travel can be accessible, empowering, and deeply enjoyable.
Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or planning your first big trip, here are some tips to help you travel more comfortably and confidently — on your terms.
✈️ 1. Plan Ahead — In Detail
Preparation is key. Structure, familiarity, and routine can help reduce uncertainty and anxiety.
Tips:
- Create a visual itinerary: Include departure times, transit details, hotel check-in, meal breaks, and downtime.
- Use Google Street View to preview destinations, hotel entrances, or walkways.
- Check airport and airline policies: Many offer accommodations, early boarding, or sensory-friendly programs. You can request assistance in advance.
🧳 2. Pack for Comfort & Sensory Needs
Bring items that help you feel grounded and safe.
Consider packing:
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Sunglasses or a hat to reduce light stimulation
- Snacks and water, especially if you have dietary needs or aversions
- Fidget tools, comfort items, or a weighted lap pad
- A printed communication card or app, in case verbal communication becomes difficult
🏨 3. Choose Accommodations Mindfully
Where you sleep matters. A calm environment can make or break a trip.
Look for:
- Quiet rooms (request a room away from elevators or street noise)
- In-room kitchen if you prefer preparing your own meals
- Hotels that allow early check-in or late checkout to reduce time stress
🚦 4. Build in Recovery Time
Travel can be exhausting — physically and emotionally. Schedule downtime between activities or plan “buffer” days.
Try:
- One major activity per day
- Rest days between city changes or long transit days
- Solo time if you’re traveling with others
🧭 5. Use Technology to Navigate Smoothly
Apps can make the unfamiliar feel more manageable.
Useful tools:
- TripIt or Wanderlog for organized itineraries
- Google Maps with saved places
- Translation apps for international travel
- Autism-friendly travel guides (check out websites like AutismTravel.com or Aira)
🌟 6. Self-Advocate When Needed
You have the right to accommodations, dignity, and understanding.
Suggestions:
- Carry a discreet card that explains your sensory needs or communication style
- Let travel companions or staff know how they can support you
- Practice scripts for requesting help or saying “no” to uncomfortable situations
🧠 7. Reframe Travel Your Way
You don’t have to “do travel” like everyone else. Maybe you love museums but hate crowds. Maybe your ideal vacation is a cabin in the woods, not a jam-packed city tour.
Affirm this:
- It’s okay to skip attractions
- It’s okay to say no to group travel
- It’s okay to travel differently
🌈 Final Thoughts: You Belong Everywhere
Travel isn’t just for the neurotypical. You deserve access to the joy of discovering new places — on your own terms.
Celebrate the way you move through the world. With each trip, you’re not just seeing new places — you’re proving that autistic people belong everywhere.
Safe travels. 🌍💙
Mental Health Day vs. Mental Health Retreat
“Travel brings power and love back into your life.” – Rumi
In today’s world, it’s not uncommon to enjoy a mental health day. That’s a day we take off from work or school to step back from our hyper-connected, over-stimulated world and focus on the basics: reducing stress, eating healthy and disconnecting from the noise. But sometimes a day is not enough to break free and establish better habits. That’s where mental health retreats — short or long vacations focused on your well-being — come in. These come in many forms, here are some ideas to get you started.
Reducing Stress
For some, life has become a giant, stressful to-do list. Transport the kids to and from their endless activities. Finish the report so you can start on the next one. Take the dog to the vet, get groceries, clean the house, attend school events … the list goes on. On a mental health retreat, your to-do list is reduced to one item: relax. A few days at an all-inclusive resort will help you achieve this. Everything you could possibly need — food, beach, sunshine, drinks — is at your fingertips. The most stressful choice you’ll make all day is picking which pool to relax next to. Surrounded by palm trees, listening to the gentle waves, sipping on a favored beverage, knowing you get to do it all again the next day, now that’s a great way to reboot your soul.
Eating Healthy
Some people enjoy going off their diets while on vacation, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, for those who wish to return from a vacation as a stronger, healthier version of themselves, then it’s important to eat right. You’ll find a plethora of healthy food options when cruising, another stress-reducing way to travel. Many cruise lines feature restaurants focused on delicious and nutritious fare, such as Blu on Celebrity Cruises, Razzle Dazzle on Virgin Voyages and the Solarium Bistro on Royal Caribbean.
Disconnecting from the Noise
We all love our phones, but our attachment to them can be a bit dysfunctional. Popular apps are designed to be addictive, and too often we find ourselves staring down to check Instagram for the tenth time or reading work emails instead of looking up to enjoy real life in glorious 3-D.
It’s wise to reduce your phone use while embarking on any type of mental health vacation, giving you the literal peace of mind to properly appreciate the sea views and delicious food in front of you. But if you lack the strength to leave your phone in your room while you head to the beach, some destinations will take it for you. Offering digital detox packages, several resorts and tour providers will manage your phone use, physically keeping your devices away and only allowing you to check them for small periods of time. The resulting feeling is quite freeing, empowering you to be more in the moment and fully enjoy your vacation.
Why Cruising is Ideal for Family Reunions
Family reunions should be time well spent strengthening the ties that bind you together. But too often, the daily grind of cooking, cleaning and keeping everyone entertained is exhausting for all those involved. That’s why having your family reunion on a cruise is the perfect solution: simply select the destination, step on board and let the crew take care of the rest.
Endless food and drinks, entertainment galore, luxurious pools, lounges and well-planned shore excursions — what more could you ask for?
Perfect for families of all shapes and sizes, cruises offer plenty of space, whether you want to spend time together or need quiet time apart. Planning special events is also a snap with the help of your travel agent, who can arrange everything from a celebratory dinner in a private dining room to a group excursion in one of the exciting ports of call. And if you plan far enough in advance, your cabins can be placed near one another, with connected rooms specially designed for families.
The diverse range of onboard activities is also perfect for multi-generational groups. From zip-lining and waterslides to wine tasting and cooking classes, cruise ships cater to all ages and interests. Even better, most of these activities are included in the price of your fare — as are numerous dining choices and nightly entertainment, like movies and Broadway shows — making a cruise an incredible value.
And guess what? Depending on the size of your family reunion group, you may qualify for a group discount!
And all those travel plans that are so hard to keep track of? Your friendly travel agent (me!) will work with individual family members to book their flights and arrange transportation to and from the ship. Instead of calling you when plans change, Aunt Rita can call me instead! Your family will love this stress-free way to vacation.
Yes, Use a Travel Checklist!
By creating a personalized travel checklist, you can ensure you have everything you need for a smooth and enjoyable trip. It’s crucial to tailor this list to your specific needs, destination, and type of trip.
Essential Travel Documents & Information:
- Passport: Ensure it’s valid for at least six months beyond your trip.
- Visa (if required): Verify visa requirements for your destination and apply in advance.
- Tickets/Reservations: Keep printed copies and digital copies of flight, hotel, and rental car confirmations.
- Travel Insurance: Note policy details and contact information.
- Driver’s License/ID: For domestic travel or rental car purposes.
- Emergency Contact Information: Store this on your phone and in your luggage.
Travel Essentials:
- Phone/Charger: Consider a portable power bank.
- Camera/Charger: Capture memories of your trip.
- Cash/Credit Cards: Carry a mix of both for emergencies.
- Medications: Pack any necessary prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.
- First-Aid Kit: Include essentials like bandages, pain relievers, and antiseptic wipes.
- Adapters/Converters: If traveling internationally, ensure you have the correct adapters.
Clothing & Accessories:
- Clothing: Pack clothes appropriate for the weather, activities, and cultural norms of your destination.
- Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes and potentially a pair of dressier shoes.
- Accessories: Hat, scarf, gloves, sunglasses, etc., depending on the weather.
Toiletries:
- Travel-sized toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
- Makeup and personal hygiene items: Depending on your needs.
- Hand sanitizer/wipes: For travel hygiene.
Electronics:
- Laptop/Charger (if needed): For work or entertainment.
- E-reader/Charger (if needed): For reading entertainment.
- Headphones/Earplugs: For entertainment and noise reduction on flights.
Additional Considerations:
- Luggage: Pack light and efficiently to avoid baggage fees.
- Entertainment: Books, magazines, games, etc.
- Snacks/Drinks: For the journey and at your destination.
- Copy of Important Documents: Keep photocopies of your passport, visa, and other important documents.
Traveler vs. Tourist: Which Are You?
“The traveler sees what they see as is, the tourist sees what they have come to see.” GK Chesterton
Many may not think about the difference between being a traveler and being a tourist. For me, a traveler learns from and converses with locals immersing themselves with the local culture, norms, and language. A tourist, on the other hand, only sightsees, specifically popular sights and eateries, and stays within their comfort zone.
When I travel, I like to be curious and courteous, deliberate and patient, comfortable but also adventurous. I converse with locals, I learn phrases in the local language if not English or Spanish, and I learn about and respect the local culture and norms. I also don’t always rely on maps; I often trust my instincts or just wander as I love to do to see what I arrive upon. I don’t shop at the obvious tourist souvenir shops; I more look out for local artisans and local, but often hidden, treasures. As a US American, I don’t eat typical “American” foods like cheeseburgers, fries, and chicken nuggets, or eat at McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, KFC or other exported eateries around the world. I try to blend in as much as possible and try new foods within my diet restrictions by eating the local cuisine as I know that food is very closely linked to culture.
Happy traveling!
Wanderlust Travel 