Meg Sees The World

Travelling as a trans person comes with unique challenges, which the travel industry is not yet understanding of. From navigating airport security to finding safe, comfortable accommodation, preparation is key to a safe and enjoyable trip. This guide covers essential travel tips, safety advice, and helpful resources to empower trans travellers to explore the world with confidence!

If you’re looking to understand trans travel better

Here are some resources for allies and anyone looking to further their understanding of the trans travel experience and what comes with it. I’m writing this as a cisgender lesbian woman so I want to highlight trans voices who can speak from personal experience.

Podcast Episodes

Trans Sister Radio: Broadcasting Everything Trans

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5qV91AvUfnemPHt4dojjHV?si=xDNSqmJOSneQYsEGN67Piw

TransLash Podcast with Imara Jones

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6X9EolyEw5CXnkUSxMp49c?si=eqQeG7srQNW4kFiiIQbscA

Content Creators

@explorewithchase on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and their blog

@thegoldonqueers on Instagram

@amis_adventures on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube

@themikeytooleytour on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube

Blog Posts

The Liberating Power of Solo Travel As a Trans Woman

Navigating the world as a transgender Muslim woman: My travel tales

Transgender travel: tips from trans travel blogger Aaron Edwards

Travel Tips for Transgender, Genderqueer and Non-Binary Wanderlusters

I completed my dissertation on lesbian, trans and gender non-conforming travel and interviewed members of those communities, you can read that research HERE

Pre-Trip Planning: Research & Preparation

Choosing Trans-Friendly Destinations

Before booking a trip, researching a destination’s legal and social climate for trans people is a great place to start. Unfortunately, there is really no country that is doing everything right in regards to trans rights, but there are some destinations that are much safer than others. Consider:

• Countries with gender recognition laws and anti-discrimination laws (Although some cities may be safe despite being in countries that don’t have good trans protection laws)
• Destinations with a thriving LGBTQ+ community
• LGBTQ+ protection law maps, I recommend ILGA World Map or Equaldex. For Europe and Central Asia, there’s Trans Rights Map
• If you’re interested in visiting multiple destinations or backpacking, consider Europe as you can minimise interactions with border agents and passport checks. Plus there are several destinations that you can get to by bus and train that score highly for LGBTQ+ safety

Some of the most trans-friendly destinations are: Iceland (Here’s my budget LGBTQ+ Iceland guide), New Zealand, Norway and Thailand. You’ll find more trans-friendly destinations further down in the budget trans travel section!

Passport & Identification Requirements

• Some places allow an X gender marker on documentation, be aware that while it is an affirming option, this can make visa applications or border crossings complicated in some places. You may not be able to apply for a visa if there’s not a matching gender option on the application
• If the gender marker on your ID does not match your gender presentation (and for travellers with X), it’s recommended to carry additional documentation (or copies) of previous IDs/name change certificate/birth certificate if applicable

Booking Flights

The name on your flight booking needs to match your Photo ID, as this is what border patrol/airline agents will use to confirm your identity, regardless of what your legal name currently is. For example, if you legally change your name but haven’t yet updated your passport, use the name on your passport regardless when booking,.

Booking Accommodation

• I love Purple Roofs which is an LGBTQ+ travel directory, and Booking.com has the Travel Proud program, which puts a pride flag logo on properties that are trained on and commit to being inclusive
• While I usually advocate for staying at locally run accommodation whenever possible, in many destinations it’s safer to stay at international hotel chains, if the company has been clear in its support of the community, such as Marriott, who provide their trans staff with a health care policy inclusive of gender-affirming care, and have scored 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index consistently for a decade. Hyatt also has a perfect score, as does Hilton
• If you’re asked to go on a work trip somewhere you feel unsure about, if you’re out at work, it’s recommended to have someone at work who can be on call to vouch for you at border patrol. This blog post gives more in depth advice for work travel: Travelling for work, risk assessing when visibly Queer

Navigating Airport Security as a Trans Traveller

TSA & International Security Checkpoints

Airport security can be stressful for trans travellers. Here’s how to prepare:

• Body Scanners: These devices can flag binders, packers and prosthetics, as the operator will select the sex they perceive you as, for example, the machine will therefore flag a packer if it has been told the person inside is female. To avoid this, you can request a manual pat-down if uncomfortable with the advanced imaging technology they use in the US and some other destinations. These pat downs can be invasive
• Packing Tips: Pack medications in original packaging with the name on your photo ID on it. It’s best to carry your prescription or a letter from your doctor if possible, to avoid any potential misunderstandings. Testosterone is considered a controlled substance in several countries so it’s very important to carry documentation. Any syringes, dilators and any medications over 100ml have to be declared to security (bring your prescription)
• Know Your Rights: In the U.S. you *should* be able opt for a pat-down by an officer of the gender that matches your gender identity (not based on the gender marker on your ID) but unfortunately these protections may not be enforced any more (TSA removed their Transgender Passengers page). You should also have the right for a private screening at any point, and take a witness with you

The Advocates for Trans Equality have an in-depth guide you can find HERE

Staying Safe While Travelling

Navigating Public Spaces & Restrooms

• You can find gender-neutral restrooms on the website Refuge Restrooms, and they also have an app.
• Try and find a safe person who you can go to the bathroom with, who can stand by your side coming in and out of the bathroom
• I highly recommend checking out the app Everywhere Is Queer to find LGBTQ+ owned businesses in the destinations you visit, as well as online

LGBTQ+ Support Networks

• Local LGBTQ+ Centres: Many cities have organisations offering community support, you can search these up google, maps and Facebook
• Facebook & Reddit Groups: Find LGBTQ+ communities for advice, I’m in LGBTQ+ Backpackers and Queer + Lesbian Travel which are both explicitly trans-friendly communities. R/asktransgender and r/solotravel have some useful threads such as THIS and THIS
• Emergency Contacts: Universal travel advice, but make sure to learn the emergency service number in each place you visit, and learn the contact number for your embassy

Healthcare & Medical Considerations

Read about Penelope Violet’s experiences of accessing gender-affirming healthcare abroad HERE

Travel Insurance for Trans Travellers

• CAP Travel Assistance is a member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, and help LGBTQ+ travellers with support such as legal support, interpreters and LGBTQ+ specific travel advice

Budget-Friendly Travel Tips for Trans Travellers

Affordable & Safe Housing Options

• Most hostels offer mixed sex dorms as standard. By looking at pictures of the hostel on hostelworld.com or booking.com you should be able to tell if they have individual shower stalls or gendered showering facilities. At hostels and in the backpacking community, people are generally a bit more open-minded than you may find at other types of accommodation
• If you identify as non-binary or a trans woman (if your gender marker is female, as the reception will input your ID info), you may feel more comfortable in a female-only dorm. Hostels usually have private rooms for better prices than hotels if you want the extra privacy. My non-binary partner and other trans travellers I know have had comfortable and enjoyable experiences staying in hostels
• Quouch is a queer couch surfing platform, it’s invite-only to keep it as safe as possible and they have hosts in 100+ countries. There is a cost associated with the platform, it’s on a sliding scale to make it as accessible as possible (between €2.90-4.90 a month)
• House-sitting and work-exchange programs like TrustedHousesitters can offer free accommodation, the benefit of house sitting is that you have privacy that isn’t usually granted at hostels. Look for listings that state they are LGBGTQ+ friendly/allies. You will have a video call with the hosts before setting up the sit, so you have an opportunity to talk to them and assess if you feel safe going ahead with it

Most Affordable Destinations with Trans Protections

• Malta: Self-identification has been legal since 2015, they have offered the X gender marker since 2017 on passports and IDs, and since last year, birth certificates. They have long-standing discrimination laws including gender expression and a ban on medically unnecessary surgery on intersex minors
• Spain: A law was passed in 2023 that allows gender self-identification without a medical report for anyone over 16 (more steps in place for 12-16 year olds)
• Thailand: Right after they recently legalised same-sex marriage, the national health ministry started providing free hormone therapy, which will cover 200,000 transgender Thai citizens! However, a draft law for gender recognition was rejected last year

Travelling as a trans person can be empowering, especially when equipped with the right resources and knowledge. By planning ahead, prioritising safety, and connecting with LGBTQ+ communities, you can explore the world with confidence and joy. Have any tips or experiences to share? Drop them in the comments below!