A family holiday does not have to feel like a military operation.
It can be exciting, playful and full of beautiful firsts: a new swimming pool, an aircraft taking off, warm sand under your feet, a favourite snack by the sea or simply the joy of being somewhere new together.
For autistic and neurodivergent families, travelling may need a little more thought beforehand. Not because our children cannot enjoy adventures — quite the opposite.
A little preparation can turn the unknown into something familiar enough to feel exciting.
As an autistic mum, I have learned that the best holidays for our family are not necessarily the most luxurious or most packed with activities. They are the ones where everyone has enough predictability, comfort, sensory support and time to enjoy the journey in their own way.
Here is how I prepare my son Robin for a trip — and the things I look for before we even book.
Start with the right kind of holiday
A “family-friendly” hotel is not automatically the right fit for every neurodivergent family.
When I plan a trip, I look beyond the glossy photographs and ask practical questions:
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How long is the transfer from the airport?
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Can we request a quieter room location?
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Is there somewhere calm to retreat to?
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Are there familiar or flexible food options?
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Is the kids’ club flexible and welcoming?
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Will the hotel feel manageable rather than constantly busy?
Sometimes a shorter transfer, a quieter room or an apartment with a kitchenette makes a bigger difference than a huge waterpark or endless entertainment programme.
There is no one perfect holiday for every autistic child. Every family has different needs around noise, routines, sleep, food, communication, movement and sensory input.
The best choice is the one that gives your family the best chance to feel relaxed, comfortable and free to enjoy the adventure.
A lovely step forward: sensory-friendly hotel spaces
I was genuinely pleased to see that selected TUI BLUE hotels now offer Sensory Rooms: low-stimulation spaces where guests and families can take a break from a busy environment.
Depending on the hotel, these spaces may include soft lighting, calming sensory elements and cosy areas to relax and regulate. TUI BLUE also describes sensory bags, ear defenders, visual and communication resources in kids’ clubs, plus neurodiversity and inclusion training for teams working with children and guests.
A sensory room does not mean every part of a holiday will suddenly be effortless. But it sends an important message: needing a quieter moment is normal, and families deserve to feel welcome.
TUI BLUE currently lists selected hotels with sensory rooms in Gran Canaria, Turkey and Cyprus. You can find the current hotel overview here:
https://www.tui-blue.com/de/de/hotels/sinnesraeume/
Always check the current facilities directly with the individual hotel before booking, as offerings can change.
I prepare the trip first — then I invite Robin into it
Before I talk to Robin in detail, I prepare on my side first.
I work out the basics: where we are going, how we are getting there, how long it will take, where we will stay and which parts of the holiday I know he is likely to enjoy.
Then I invite him in gently.
I do not overwhelm him with every single detail or turn it into a long discussion. Instead, I show him the parts that will spark his interest and help the trip feel real.
Robin loves videos, so I might show him a short video of the hotel, the swimming pool, the beach or an activity he would enjoy. I keep it short, light and positive.
For another child, photographs, a simple map, a visual story or a favourite character connected to the destination may work better. There is no single right method. The key is to use what your child already enjoys and understands.
Make the journey visible
I often take a sheet of paper and draw our journey.
I draw Hamburg, then a little aircraft or car, and then our destination. I draw who is coming too: Mummy, Robin, Tom and anyone else travelling with us.
I explain: “We start here. Then we fly/drive for this long. Then we arrive here.”
The drawing does not need to look perfect. Mine are simple and cute. What matters is that Robin can see the plan.
Sometimes I make him a small travel poster as well, perhaps with the destination, a little aircraft, a picture of the pool and our family. It helps the holiday become something he can picture — something to look forward to, not a mysterious change that suddenly happens.
Put the journey on the calendar
Robin has a calendar, and we write the travel day in clearly.
We can count down together. On the day we leave, I mark it with a little cross and write something simple: “Today we fly to…” or “Today we drive to…”
This gives him time to process what is coming.
The holiday is not sprung on him at the last minute. He knows it is approaching, and he is part of the excitement from the beginning.
Let your child pack with you
A day or a few days before we leave, I let Robin pack his own suitcase or bag.
Robin cannot read, so I make a visual packing list. I write the number of items and add a small drawing beside it:
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5 T-shirts 👕
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3 pairs of trousers 👖
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swimming costume 🩳
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towel 🧺
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pyjamas 🌙
I lay the items out on the bed, explain what we need them for, and then he packs them himself.
This is such a lovely part of preparation.
He feels included. He is excited. He practises independence. And he gets another clear signal that the trip is really happening: we are getting ready — we are going tomorrow.
Pack a travel bag that feels like home
Our travel bag is not just about keeping a child entertained. It brings together the things that help with predictability, sensory needs, comfort and regulation.
For Robin, this may include:
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noise-cancelling headphones or ear defenders
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his cap, for bright or visually busy environments
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a cuddle blanket or familiar comfort item
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favourite sensory or tactile toys
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small fidget items
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books
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modelling clay
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small LEGO sets
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familiar videos or other preferred entertainment
These are not “just distractions.” They offer comfort, choice and something familiar during queues, waiting times, transfers or moments when the world feels a little too much.
I also pack plenty of familiar snacks. Hunger, thirst, tiredness or unfamiliar food can make a long travel day much harder than it needs to be.
Keep the days before travel calm
A holiday can be fun and exciting — and still ask a lot of the nervous system.
That is why I try not to fill the days before travelling with busy places, extra appointments or lots of excitement. We focus on good sleep, quiet time, familiar food and a calm rhythm.
For our family, keeping Robin’s usual dietary and support routine steady is part of that preparation too. Every child is different, so health or supplement choices should always be individual and discussed with a qualified healthcare professional, especially when travelling or trying anything new.
The aim is simple: we want to start the journey with as much calm in the body as possible.
Prepare for the airport, not only the destination
For many families, the airport is the most demanding part of a trip.
There are queues, announcements, bright lights, security checks, crowds, waiting and sometimes unexpected delays. Preparing for those steps can make them feel far less daunting.
You can make a very simple airport plan together:
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We arrive at the airport.
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We check in our suitcase.
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We go through security.
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We wait near the gate.
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We get on the aircraft.
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We sit down, fasten our seatbelt and fly.
Some families use pictures, a visual timetable, role-play or short airport videos. You could practise putting a small bag into a “security tray,” walking through an imaginary scanner, showing a passport and fastening a seatbelt.
The purpose is not to rehearse every possible scenario. It is simply to make the sequence feel familiar.
Ask for support in advance
It is always worth contacting the airline and departure airport before travel to ask what support may be available.
Depending on the airport, airline and route, there may be options such as assistance through check-in or security, a quieter place to wait, a sensory room, early or late boarding, a visual airport guide or support with special meal requests.
Services vary, and some must be arranged in advance, so it is best to check early.
Some families also choose to use the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard. It can discreetly indicate that someone may need a little more time, understanding or support. It is optional, and recognition varies by airport and country, so always check before relying on it.
For families whose child might run off or become separated in a busy environment, a safety plan can also bring peace of mind. That may include an ID bracelet, a contact card in a bag or pocket, a tracker, or a discreet contact label inside clothing. Some parents write their contact details on the inside of a child’s arm for the travel day. It may not be glamorous, but feeling prepared is far better than panicking.
Have a Plan B — and keep it simple
Even beautifully planned trips have surprises.
A flight might be delayed. A queue may take longer. The gate area might be noisier than expected. This does not mean the whole trip is ruined.
Our Plan B is usually very simple: headphones on, familiar snack, sensory toy, favourite video, a quiet corner where possible and fewer demands for a while.
The goal is not to control every moment of travel. It is to make sure your child knows they have support and a way to reset.
Travel does not have to be perfect to be magical
A successful holiday may include breaks in the room. It may mean wearing headphones at dinner, leaving an activity early, eating familiar snacks, skipping the kids’ club or choosing one calm outing instead of five.
That is absolutely okay.
A holiday does not have to look like the brochure to be special.
It can be sitting together on a balcony after a busy day. It can be watching your child feel proud because they packed their own suitcase. It can be the first time they walk into a hotel pool and realise, I know this place — I saw it in the video.
Travel is not about making children fit into a standard holiday.
It is about creating an adventure that works with their needs, their interests and their rhythm.
Need help choosing a holiday that fits your family?
Through Travel Smart Namibia | Africa & Beyond, I offer personal travel planning for families who need more than a standard hotel search.
From suitable flights and manageable transfer times to accommodation, room location and individual family needs, I can help you look at the details that make a holiday feel more achievable.
Because the best trips begin long before departure: with preparation, excitement and the confidence that your family is allowed to travel in its own way.
