Travel Resources
Traveling with kids and teens with an Autism diagnosis can be exciting, but it can also bring new challenges. Changes in routine, unfamiliar environments, and sensory differences can sometimes make travel feel overwhelming. Having the right tools and preparation can make a big difference. These Autism travel resources are designed to help families prepare for common travel situations like car rides, airplane trips, and hotel stays. With visual supports, social stories, and simple checklists, families can help make travel more predictable, comfortable, and enjoyable for everyone.
Airports and airplanes can feel busy and unpredictable, but preparing ahead of time can help children feel calmer and more confident during the travel process.
Long car rides can be easier when children know what to expect and have simple ways to stay comfortable and entertained along the way.
Hotels are new environments, and helping children understand what will happen during check-in and throughout the stay can make the experience feel more familiar.
Airport & Airplane Travel
Traveling can be exciting, but airports and airplanes can also feel overwhelming for children and teens with an Autism diagnosis. Busy terminals, loud announcements, and multiple steps before boarding can increase anxiety and make the experience unpredictable.
Preparing your child ahead of time can help reduce stress and make the journey smoother. Parents can explain what will happen at the airport, such as walking through security procedures and describing the boarding process. You can also practice at home, talk through each step of the trip, role-play boarding with toys or stuffed animals, or create a simple checklist of what they’ll do at the airport.
To support families, I created an Airport & Airplane Travel Kit. This kit includes a packing checklist as well as a social story that guides children and teens through each step of the airport and airplane experience. By using these resources, children can understand what to expect, feel more confident, and enjoy the adventure with less anxiety.
Long Car Rides
Long car rides can be challenging for children and teens with Autism, especially when they rely on routine and predictability. Sitting in the car for long periods may feel uncomfortable, and it can be difficult for children to understand why the trip is taking so long.
Preparing ahead of time can help make the experience easier. Parents can talk about the trip before leaving, explain how long the ride may be, and mention things like wearing a seatbelt, stopping for breaks, and what activities can be done in the car. Bringing familiar comfort items, favorite snacks, or small activities can also help children feel more relaxed during the drive.
To support families during longer drives, I created a Long Car Ride Travel Kit. This kit includes a packing checklist and a simple social story that helps children understand what to expect during the trip. These resources can make the journey feel more predictable and help everyone enjoy the ride a little more.
Staying at a Hotel
Staying in a hotel can be exciting, but it can also feel unfamiliar for children and teens with Autism. A new environment, different sounds, and changes to a normal bedtime routine may make it harder for some children to feel comfortable.
Preparing your child ahead of time can help make the experience easier. Parents can talk about what the hotel room might look like, explain that there may be other guests and hallway noises, and describe parts of the stay such as checking in, using a key card, or sleeping in a different bed. Bringing familiar comfort items from home, like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal, can also help children feel more relaxed.
To support families during overnight trips, I created a Hotel Stay Travel Kit. This kit includes a packing checklist and a social story that walks children through what to expect when staying at a hotel. These resources help make the experience feel more predictable and help children settle in more comfortably.
Packing Checklist
Just Need the Packing Checklist? Every travel kit comes with a ready-to-use packing checklist to help families organize trips and make travel smoother. If you don’t need the full kit, you can also purchase the Travel Packing Checklist separately for a quick, practical guide.
Additional Travel Resources for Families
Transportation Security Administration – TSA Cares Program
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares
TSA Cares provides support for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. Families can contact the program before their trip to possibly receive guidance about airport screening and request assistance when traveling through security with a child or teen who has Autism.
Autism Speaks – Traveling with Autism
https://www.autismspeaks.org/traveling-autism
This guide offers practical tips for preparing autistic children for travel, including airport preparation, packing strategies, and ways to make new environments more comfortable and predictable.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Traveling with Children
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/children
The CDC provides helpful travel health information for families, including planning tips, safety considerations, and ways to keep children comfortable and healthy during trips.