How My Autism Enhances My Travel Experience

As the bus jostled along the route from Lusaka to Livingstone, Zambia, I casually pondered whether we'd arrive by noon or 3 p.m. and how long it might take to locate my hostel. That thought quickly faded as I became engrossed in conversation with my fellow passengers. The experience itself was more than enough to keep me engaged.

During a solo backpacking journey that spanned most of 2022, I explored many of my dream destinations. By the time my adventures concluded eight months later, I had entered the Pyramids of Giza, gazed over the lush Amazon, and exited 8,012 vehicles across 16 countries, including Rio de Janeiro and Zanzibar. Wherever my travels took me, I felt an exhilarating rush, a flood of sensory experiences, and the exhilarating sensation of being alone in an entirely new environment. Yet, even while traveling solo, I carried with me a distinctive set of tools—all of them mental.

Having grown up in a small New Mexico town, I yearned to explore historic cities, lush rainforests, and roaring oceans. However, I was apprehensive about where to begin. As someone with autism, I’ve always found it challenging to adapt to changes in routine, and the common belief seemed to suggest that people like me wouldn’t thrive in unfamiliar environments alone.

I gradually began solo traveling in 2017, bidding farewell to my traveling companions in Venice and boarding a train to Croatia. After my time in Europe, I returned to New Mexico, only to set off almost immediately on a multi-month road trip across the United States, which offered a valuable crash course in solo travel. Each journey was thrilling in its own way and helped me become increasingly adaptable, paving the way for my biggest adventure yet: my longest solo trip to date.

Travel has always been one of my primary interests—one of the most typical and, in my view, charming aspects of autism. In simple terms, a special interest is a subject that captivates someone on the spectrum; a topic they explore, discuss, and passionately love for years. My fascination with planning and detail (another frequent trait) also proved beneficial when it was time to organize my trip; intricate Google Docs detailing which attractions to visit in which order each day across multiple countries turned out to be incredibly useful.

Then there was the sheer joy of immersing myself in the subtleties of each location. I’ve always enjoyed observing the world around me, watching how people interact, or appreciating the small natural details during a hike. This is why, even years after returning home from these adventures, I can vividly recall the surreal architecture of Casa Batlló in Barcelona or the graceful, synchronized flight of birds soaring over the Amazon jungle at dusk.

However, there’s an even greater advantage to my autism that has guided me through those winding streets, mountaintops, and adventurous bus rides. Being autistic means that everyday experiences often feel slightly skewed: social interactions, public transport, work environments, and the vibrant chaos of everyday life can be disorienting. While it can be frustrating, it’s also an inherent part of living with this condition. This perspective has enabled me to adapt when plans go awry or when I struggle to connect with people in new environments. Autism has taught me to embrace the unfamiliar wholeheartedly.

I can only share my own travel experiences and my journey on the spectrum. This isn’t to imply that everything was flawless; there were certainly days spent idly in various dorm rooms feeling burned out. But those moments were worthwhile for the bursts of joy and the sense of self that emerged in new and exciting ways. Those tangled neurons and my wanderlust have proven to be perfect companions for all kinds of adventures. I hope they will continue to be for many more to come.