Resources to make travel more Autism Friendly

Travel can be an inherently difficult activity for some Autistic people. It puts us out of routine and away from our same foods. It often involves crowds and noise, as well as exposing us to the novel. These are all things that can be a little tricky for Autistic people. But does that mean we shouldn’t travel? Of course not! Travelling can also be a great source of joy, an opportunity to build life-experience, and a chance for families to bond and build memories.

So how can we make this easier? I believe that this needs to be a two-pronged approach:

  • Organisations such as hotels, airlines, public transport providers, airports, attractions should provide accommodations and adaptations to make the world more accessible for people with disabilities. For more information about such initiatives, please visit Aspect’s Autism Friendly page or the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower page.

  • Individuals and families/carers can engage their own supports and strategies to make their travel more accessible. This site is here to help you do just that!

The sweet spot in accessible travels when both of these approaches are utilised together.

A Disney employee badge with a sunflower-themed lanyard featuring sunflowers and leaves designs, placed on a wooden surface.
Close-up of a hand holding a pen and checking off items on a to-do list written on a grid notebook.

Planning a an autism friendly adventure?

Whether your adventure is big or small, the key to successful travel for Autistic people is a well-planned approach, focussed on preparation and predictability. Over the years I have developed a process for planning travel that makes our adventures infinitely smoother. This staged process is outlined below.

Each section/stage contains a ‘how to’ guide as well as practical resources to make travel easier and smoother for the whole family. It is recommended that you go through these stages in chronological order and use the strategies that best support your/your travel companion’s support needs the most.

Whilst there is a lot of information here and it may seem like an overwhelming process, once you do this a couple of times and you learn what works well (and doesn’t) for your crew, it will become second nature. THE FOLLOWING PAGES ARE UNDER DEVELOPMENT

  • Brainstorming - click here to find out more

  • Prep, Predict and Practice - click here to find out more

  • Preparing to Go - click here to find out more

  • Travel - click here to find out more

  • Refine and Reflect - click here to find out more

Is it Autism Friendly?

Wondering whether the hotel, airport, cruise ship, or attraction you are visiting is Autism Friendly? Check to see is there is a review here: (Coming Soon)

Airports:

  • Honolulu

  • Los Angeles (LAX)

  • Orlando

  • Miami

  • Beijing Capital

  • Shanghai Hongqiao

  • Tokyo Haneda

  • Singapore Changi

  • Helsinki

  • Heathrow

  • Accra

  • Barcelona

  • Bangkok

  • Sydney

Resorts/Hotels:

  • Disney’s Toy Story Hotel, Shanghai

  • Disney’s Aulani, Honolulu

  • Disney’s Old Key West, Orlando

  • Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Orlando

  • Disney’s Boulder Ridge, Orlando

  • Disney’s Boardwalk, Orlando

  • Disney’s All Stars Music Resort, Orlando

  • Disney’s Mira Costa, Tokyo Disney

  • Hilton Tokyo Bay, Tokyo Disney Area

  • Oriental Hotel, Tokyo Disney Area

Cruises:

  • Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas

  • Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

  • Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas

  • Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas

  • Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas - coming soon

  • Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas

  • Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas

  • Disney’s Wonder of the Seas

  • Disney’s Adventure of the Seas - coming soon

Colorful beaded headphone with rainbow pattern and a rhinestone-covered headband.

Attractions:

  • Raging Waters, Sydney

  • Luna Park, Sydney

  • Shanghai Disneyland, Shanghai

  • Tokyo Disney Resort, Tokyo

  • Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong

  • Paris Disneyland, Paris

  • Walt Disney World, Orlando

  • Disneyland, Anaheim

  • Universal Studios Japan, Osaka

  • Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore

General Autism Friendly Articles

This section will contain links to articles about making travel more autism friendly.

Click here for Aspect welcomes new initiative to permit noise-cancelling headphones during airport screening

Click here for Supporting Autistic Children for air travel

A man with a backpack and headphones crossing or standing at a city street intersection with buildings and buses in the background.