8 Travel Planning Tips for Blind or Visually Impaired Individuals

Travel offers a delightful sensory experience. However, fully enjoying the sounds, aromas, and flavors of a new destination can be challenging when navigating safely becomes difficult.

Every airport, train system, and travel stop has its own unique set of guidelines and varying degrees of accessibility and support. Even in places where accessibility standards aren't as established as those in the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there are still strategies to enhance the travel experience—whether traveling solo or with a companion.

Effective planning is essential, according to Jani Nayar, executive director of the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH). This includes selecting the right accommodations and choosing guides or tour operators who offer enriching experiences that focus on sounds, tastes, and tactile elements (such as wine tastings, cooking classes, or museums that feature hands-on exhibits).

We consulted with tour operators, travel experts, and travelers who are blind or have low vision to compile this list of tips and resources for planning an unforgettable trip.

Begin your preparations early

To guarantee a seamless experience, allow yourself ample time—preferably several months—to thoroughly investigate the available resources at your destination, advises Cindy Caldwell, a travel advisor specializing in accessibility with Full Access Vacations. This includes examining every detail of your trip, such as the hotel’s layout, reviews from staff, and accessibility features like Braille room numbers and signage or large-print menus. If you plan to take a city tour and use a cane, it’s wise to obtain tactile maps, familiarize yourself with curb markings designed for canes, and check if there are audio signals indicating when green lights are active at crosswalks.

Arrange necessary assistance at the airport

Navigating the hectic environment of the airport can be one of the most intimidating aspects of travel. Fortunately, since the enactment of the Air Carrier Access Act in 1990, significant improvements have been made. Airlines are now obligated to assist visually impaired (VI) passengers with boarding, deplaning, making connections, and collecting luggage at baggage claim. Moreover, they cannot mandate that you travel with a companion. When making your reservation, check with the airline to identify the access points for your pickup. You might also consider utilizing the TSA Cares program and scheduling a passenger support specialist to help you navigate security smoothly and efficiently.

Get to know the aircraft and introduce yourself to the crew

Once a flight attendant guides you to your seat, be sure to locate the call button in case you need assistance getting to the restroom or have other inquiries during the flight, advises Amar Latif, the visually impaired founder of the tour company Traveleyes.

Ensure your guide dog is permitted to travel with you

U.S. airlines must accommodate guide dogs if you have the appropriate Department of Transportation documentation. When it comes to cruise ships, policies vary by operator. Regulations for service animals differ widely in foreign countries, ranging from complete prohibition (like in the United Arab Emirates) to requirements for special applications, health documentation, or even two-week quarantines that could disrupt your trip. Mobility organizations suggest contacting the embassy or consulate of your desired destinations to clarify their regulations and consulting agricultural departments to check if guide dogs are exempt from quarantine.

Request an orientation of your accommodation from hotel staff

According to Latif, having someone provide a quick tour of the hotel’s layout and amenities during check-in can save you time and enhance your independence. Ask about the locations of the elevators and whether they can assist you in finding the pool, restaurant, or gym.

Consider a tour operator that caters to the VI community

Organizations like Traveleyes in London, Seable, and Mind’s Eye Travel in Maine connect travelers with sighted companions who have undergone background checks, allowing travelers to enjoy experiences without needing to bring along family or friends.

Damiano La Rocca, director of Seable, states, “[Our travelers] seek destinations they typically couldn’t explore without assistance, like Thailand or Italy. They can receive trained support and connect with others.”

Sighted local companions at Seable assist two travelers per trip and undergo visual awareness training to ensure they provide meaningful descriptions of attractions and guide guests appropriately. These companies focus on experiences that don’t heavily depend on elaborate descriptions of visually impressive landmarks; instead, they engage travelers in activities like adaptive skiing or immersive cultural experiences such as wine tastings or craft and cooking classes. The inclusion of car transportation at all points alleviates one additional concern.

Utilize technology for assistance

If you are traveling solo, you can access visual support through apps like Be My Eyes, which connects volunteers with visually impaired travelers via video chat on your phone to help navigate unfamiliar places. Additionally, many airports use Aira, a visual interpretation app that assists VI travelers in locating restrooms and restaurants near their gates. More travel resources can be found on VisionAware, an online directory dedicated to the blind and low-vision community.

Don’t dismiss thrilling adventures

Adaptive recreation organizations across the globe offer specialized programs for a variety of activities, including windsurfing, skiing, river rafting, and kayaking.

Jessica Pita, a blind traveler and blogger from South Africa, had never thought about trying the visually engaging sport of scuba diving until a friend introduced her to an adaptive Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) course in Mozambique. A buddy diver accompanied her through the coral, using tactile hand signals to convey depth and timing. She expressed that she could never have imagined how much the experience would awaken her other senses.

“The sound of the coral was overwhelming,” she recalls. “It was a crackling noise, and as we moved closer and deeper, it felt as if the sound surrounded me.”

The most significant lesson for Pita was learning to trust her guide, allowing her to relax and enjoy the experience. Now, she is adding dive locations like Hawai‘i and Zanzibar to her travel wish list.

After years of depending solely on friends and family for travel, Pita expresses, “I needed to feel assured that if I let my guard down, I would be safe.”