✈️ Autism and Traveling

Autism and Traveling: Printable Travel Kit for Autistic Kids and Adults

Traveling with autism can be uniquely rewarding, but also presents its own set of challenges — from sensory overload to unfamiliar routines. As an autistic person or parent, having structure, comfort, and supportive tools can make all the difference.

That’s why I created this Autism Travel Kit — a printable bundle designed to reduce anxiety, prevent autistic burnout, and make vacations more enjoyable. It’s full of visual tools like communication cards, planning pages, packing checklists, affirmations, and more.

Here’s a preview of what’s inside. If you’re looking to make your next trip smoother and more autism-friendly, this is for you. 💜

👉 Get the Autism Travel Kit here - hand-drawn by me, an autistic artist

Traveling with autism can be uniquely rewarding, but also presents its own set of challenges — from sensory overload to unfamiliar routines. As an auttistic person or parent, having structure, comfort, and supportive tools can make all the difference. That’s why I created this Autism Travel Kit — a printable bundle designed to reduce anxiety, prevent autistic burnout, and make vacations more enjoyable. It’s full of visual tools like communication cards, planning pages, packing checklists, affirmations, and more. Here’s a preview of what’s inside. If you’re looking to make your next trip smoother and more autism-friendly, this is for you.
☀️ Challenges & Joys of Traveling While Autistic Traveling can be challenging due to: Changes in routine Executive function difficulties Sensory overload Unfamiliar environments Talking to strangers or officials But it can also be beneficial: A break from work/school pressure New positive experiences Autistic joy and recharging opportunities 👉 Tip: Choose destinations based on sensory preferences or special interests. Travel only with people who respect your needs.
🍎 Food Planning for Autistic Travelers Reduce food anxiety by: Bringing comfort snacks Listing foods you’re excited to try Researching local grocery stores & restaurants Creating a meal plan before the trip A custom travel food planner page is included to help you prep meals and reduce decision fatigue.
🧸 Comfort Items & Sensory Supports Before you leave: Pack plushies or comfort items Bring sensory tools like fidget toys Prepare a calming playlist Include books, coloring pages, or crosswords Choose clothes that feel comfortable This helps reduce pre-travel anxiety and prevents autistic burnout during the trip.
🛫 5. Why Airports Can Be Overwhelming Common difficulties at airports: Loud sounds and crowded spaces Security checks and physical contact Multi-step executive function tasks Needing to mask while talking to officials
✅ How to Reduce Airport Anxiety Practical strategies include: Check if your airport offers autism accommodations Ask for priority boarding Use visual communication cards Use routine cards to navigate airport steps The kit includes: 12 airport routine cards 12 airport communication cards Bonus affirmations for when you feel overwhelmed
🎒 Packing Checklists My Autism Travel Kit includes two printable checklists: Autism-specific packing list  Basics list for general items Blank versions are also included for you to add more autistic accommodations and anything you need Also includes: 24 travel communication cards to identify triggers and needs
🧘 8. Journal with Energy Tracker Track your energy levels daily to avoid burnout: Note recharging vs. draining activities Write about favorite moments Add photos, tickets, or candy wrappers as fun reminders Includes a journal page to help reflect, recharge, and document memories.
💬 9. Affirmation Cards for Self-Compassion Traveling can be hard — and it’s okay to have off days. These affirmations are reminders that: You’re brave for trying something new It’s okay to rest when overwhelmed You’re allowed to take your time Includes 6 printable encouragement cards for emotional support.
🧩 10. Autism Travel Kit – What’s Included All items in the travel kit are printable and available in my shop, LiL Penguin Studios: Travel planner pages Packing checklists Journal Page Affirmation cards Communication Cards Airport Routine Cards

👉 Get the Autism Travel Kit here at LiL Penguin Studios

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Text version for accessibility:

☀️ Challenges & Joys of Traveling While Autistic

Traveling can be challenging due to:

  • Changes in routine
  • Executive function difficulties
  • Sensory overload
  • Unfamiliar environments
  • Talking to strangers or officials

But it can also be beneficial:

  • A break from work/school pressure
  • New positive experiences
  • Autistic joy and recharging opportunities

👉 Tip: Choose destinations based on sensory preferences or special interests. Travel only with people who respect your needs.


🍎 Food Planning for Autistic Travelers

Reduce food anxiety by:

  • Bringing comfort snacks
  • Listing foods you’re excited to try
  • Researching local grocery stores & restaurants
  • Creating a meal plan before the trip

A custom travel food planner page is included to help you prep meals and reduce decision fatigue.


🧸 Comfort Items & Sensory Supports

Before you leave:

  • Pack plushies or comfort items
  • Bring sensory tools like fidget toys
  • Prepare a calming playlist
  • Include books, coloring pages, or crosswords
  • Choose clothes that feel comfortable

This helps reduce pre-travel anxiety and prevents autistic burnout during the trip.


🛫 Why Airports Can Be Overwhelming

Common difficulties at airports:

  • Loud sounds and crowded spaces
  • Security checks and physical contact
  • Multi-step executive function tasks
  • Needing to mask while talking to officials


✅ How to Reduce Airport Anxiety

Practical strategies include:

  • Check if your airport offers autism accommodations
  • Ask for priority boarding
  • Use visual communication cards
  • Use routine cards to navigate airport steps

The kit includes:

  • 12 airport routine cards
  • 12 airport communication cards
  • Bonus affirmations for when you feel overwhelmed


🎒 Packing Checklists

My Autism Travel Kit includes two printable checklists:

  • Autism-specific packing list 
  • Basics list for general items
  • Blank versions are also included for you to add more autistic accommodations and anything you need

Also includes:

  • 24 travel communication cards to identify triggers and needs

 

🧘 8. On Vacation: Prevent Autistic Burnout

Track your energy levels daily to avoid burnout:

  • Note recharging vs. draining activities
  • Write about favorite moments
  • Add photos, tickets, or candy wrappers as fun reminders

Includes a journal page to help reflect, recharge, and document memories.

 

💬 9. Affirmation Cards for Self-Compassion

Traveling can be hard — and it’s okay to have off days. These affirmations are reminders that:

  • You’re brave for trying something new
  • It’s okay to rest when overwhelmed
  • You’re allowed to take your time

Includes 6 printable encouragement cards for emotional support.


🧩 10. Autism Travel Kit – What’s Included

All items in the travel kit are printable and available in my shop, LiL Penguin Studios:

  • Travel planner pages
  • Packing checklists
  • Journal Page
  • Affirmation cards
  • Communication Cards
  • Airport Routine Cards

👉 Click here to get the Autism Travel Kit (printable download)

 

💜 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning a short trip or a big adventure, this autism-friendly travel kit is designed to help autistic kids, teens, and adults prepare, self-regulate, and enjoy their vacation. You deserve to explore the world — in a way that feels safe and fun for you.

This visual kit helps children and adults prepare for a trip and eases transitions when traveling.

It provides clear information, supports communication, and helps manage anxiety.

Written and hand-drawn by me, an autistic artist. Please remember that every autistic person is different, and I’m not a health professional. This kit is not a substitute for professional advice. You can view all pages and cards in the product pictures to decide if it’s the right fit for you.

 

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I'm autistic and my art & writings are based on personal experiences. All autistic people are different.

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