If you are transgender, nonbinary, or gender expansive, planning a trip comes with a layer of questions most travelers never have to think about. Where will I feel safe? What happens at the security line? Will my documents hold up at the border? This guide will not pretend those questions away. It is here to help you plan around them, so you spend less time bracing and more time actually traveling.

The transgender and nonbinary travel experts quoted below share what actually works for them. But be mindful, policies and best practices for transgender and nonbinary travelers are changing quickly and vary by country. Treat this as a starting point and confirm the specifics with official sources and an LGBTQ+ affirming travel advisor before you travel.

Research the destination

Are you thinking lounging on a beach with an umbrella drink in hand? Or are you more interested in jetsetting to explore far off cultures? The first step in planning any trip is usually deciding where you want to go and researching what it’ll be like when you get there. 

Giovonni Santiago is a black transgender man, and says: “I try to do a deep dive into the destination i’m visiting and who I’m traveling with because I could be perceived differently if i’m traveling with a lot of female identified folks. Usually, I’m not most worried about me being trans, sometimes it’s about me being black, but either way I try to understand where I’m going, who I’m traveling with, and how I can be prepared.” 

When selecting your destination, keep in mind that policies and social acceptance for transgender people aren’t always the same in different regions of the world. Using tools like IGLTA, LGBTQ+ affirming travel advisors, and the local embassy can provide insight into the experiences of local transgender people in the country you’re interested in visiting. 

Connect with local transgender people

Researching your destination is a must, but I’ve found that reaching out to local people with similar backgrounds can also be one useful way to understand what life may be like on the ground.

Jamie Anne Harrell, a transgender woman from Atlanta went to South Africa: “I was doing my MBA and wanted to find out what trans life was like in South Africa. I was researching both [the] policies in place and public perceptions - I googled “are LGBTQ+ rights accepted in South Africa?”

But the rights on paper are very different from what life is like on the ground in Cape Town. I was able to get in touch with a local person who was transgender. They felt relatively safe, they were able to get medical procedures they needed, they attended local trans support groups, and had a small social circle of trans people in their lives. It was good to meet someone virtually and be able to have that piece of mind prior to traveling.” 

In Jamie’s experience, “just because a hotel or a destination is LGBTQ+ friendly, doesn’t mean it’s trans or nonbinary friendly and definitely doesn’t mean the individual employees are welcoming or affirming.” 

How can you tell if the businesses you’re booking will be a good fit for you as a transgender or nonbinary traveler? 

Gabrielle Claiborne, the owner of Transformation Journeys Worldwide a transgender focused inclusion training company, recommends exploring the booking process for your travel brands. 

“While booking a reservation for hotels, airlines, or even rental cars, ask yourself, do I see myself reflected in this process? Do they have pronouns, titles, and gender options? Are there images of transgender people? Seeing these options can signify that the brand is working towards gender equality.”

Check their website and see if they make note of transgender affirming diversity and inclusion training. Jamie adds, “I’m much more impacted by the transphobia of the hotel staff or the tour operator I have to see every day of my trip than I am random people on the street saying something as they’re driving by. I’d prefer the staff to be overly sensitive and overly trained at the places I’m staying.” 

Have a backup plan 

Melody McClure reminded me that, “for transgender people new isn’t always better. Sometimes new is worse, scary, unknown, or even dangerous. I miss being able to have new experiences. Just taking a road trip can be a challenge but it allows us access to novelty and new experiences. In travel, things change all the time, gate changes, flight delays - things happen. We have to be flexible but planning in advance for those situations makes things easier.” 

Linds Cale, a gender nonconforming person, agreed with the advanced planning, and said sometimes just having a hat and throwing it on before walking into a gendered space can be the difference between a peaceful experience or dirty looks. Linds also stressed the importance of having a back-up plan and understanding the details, “knowing what is expected of me at the check in counter and understanding alternative solutions like where gender neutral bathrooms are can make your travel plans so much easier.” 

Jamie added: “prior to planning my trip I start thinking about the steps I need to take to be safe. What are some of the ways I can be outed and will that create an unsafe environment?” 

Planning for those situations in advance can help you think on your feet when you’re in a destination. Melody reminded us that “harm reduction has to be the first priority in any situation. Do what is safest at the moment, but the mental gymnastics of choosing an action like using a men’s bathroom because it’s safer can have lingering effects on our mental health that are tough to deal with.

Take up space 

Every person interviewed for this piece mentioned something about confidence and allowing themselves to take up space in their lived experiences. 

Melody said, “life is not just transition and then you die - there are so many beautiful, good things to experience - it doesn’t have to be a sacrifice, you can be trans and have the fulfilling life you were meant to have. I wish I had known before I transitioned how most people just don’t care. Sure, you might get a few looks or comments but for the most part people won’t worry about where you’re going or what you’re doing while you’re traveling and enjoying your vacation.”

Giovonni agreed, “being trans isn’t all doom and gloom, sometimes being trans is incredible. Being confident is the biggest piece of advice I can offer - people can feel when you’re uncomfortable. If you walk in the place like you know what you’re doing, people are less likely to question you.” 

Gabrielle said “I’m a 6’3" broad shouldered woman - even if I was a cisgender woman I’d be getting some stares. I have to show up with the attitude of “I belong here.” 

“As a trans person”, Melody said, “you remember the intensity of your first leap towards being out, how emotionally draining and terrifying it is - that feeling stays with you. You get used to constantly looking over your shoulder when something is new, you always have a level higher alert. But you have to remember everyone feels out of their element when they’re in new and unfamiliar situations, it’s human nature. I have to talk myself up sometimes and remind myself that I deserve to be anywhere I want to be.”

Consider traveling in a group

Several of the transgender people interviewed recommended traveling with a group. Many acknowledged that traveling with a group helped them feel more comfortable in unfamiliar areas.

If you’re traveling with a group that you know and trust, allow them to help buffer you in situations that might be tougher. For example, having a cis friend accompany you to the restroom if you feel uncomfortable. Another great option is using a group tour because they will blend in with a bigger group. Oftentimes, there's safety in numbers and the tour guide can be a helpful buffer. 

How to deal with airport security

This section could be its own complete article. Be mindful that airport security personnel are trained to identify anxious and suspicious people. This is a part of traveling where some transgender or nonbinary people can feel uncomfortable, leading to behavior that can be viewed as suspicious.

Airports are high stress areas for a lot of people regardless of how they identify themselves, so remind yourself that everyone feels a bit on edge in that environment. 

If you travel frequently in the US, look into TSA PreCheck, which provides expedited screening for eligible travelers. Screening procedures and technology can vary, however, so check current TSA guidance before you fly. You could reduce the risk of having to go through male or female coded scanners this way.

When dealing with airport security staff, know your rights and be vocal about them. If additional screening is required, TSA currently says that you can request a private screening and have a companion of your choice present. You can also ask to speak to a supervisor or contact TSA Cares before your trip if you have concerns about screening.

Giovonni recommends “being vocal with your TSA agent, letting them know the situation so they’re not surprised by anything.”

Finally, remember that airport screening procedures can change. Always check the latest guidance applicable to your departure airport.

Packing - literally and figuratively 

While we are talking about airports, let's also talk about packing. Giovonni said “the airport is a huge trigger for a lot of people. At times I choose to travel without my packer because I know it will set off the body scanner which will create an awkward, unnecessary scene. Being perceived to be cis dramatically impacts your experiences while traveling. Even in airports I often pass as male so I have to explain the situation and directly say “I wear a prosthetic” so they’re not surprised when the scanner detects my packer. But remember, you’re not any less valid for making choices that protect yourself, like choosing not to bind or wear a packer that day if that’s what will keep you safe.”

A few packing tips, although the more traditional kind were echoed by a few people. TSA also recommends labeling medication clearly to make screening easier. Identifying anything unusual in your carryon baggage, like dilators or other items that may be unidentifiable if you’re selected for a search, is also a good idea. For international trips, also check the rules around carrying your medication into your destination.

Check your ID and travel documents

Before you travel, check that the details on your booking and travel documents meet the requirements of your airline and destination.

This will make everything run more smoothly, from checking in at your hotel to getting through immigration. But matching is not always possible and the rules are a moving target. 

Gender marker policies vary widely from one country to the next, and they change often. Some places let you update the marker on your passport or ID. Others have narrowed or removed that option in recent years, including the ability to carry an X marker. What was available when you got your last document may not be available when you renew it. Check your own country's current rules before you assume anything, and build in extra time if you have paperwork to sort out.

But be mindful, any travel documentation like airline tickets, reservations, and visas have to be in your legal name as it appears on your identification. If you are traveling without an ID that aligns with your presentation, a letter from your doctor explaining your transgender identity can help.

Additionally, be aware that, if you carry an X marker on your ID, some destinations may not accept this, including for transit. Check the entry requirements for every country on your itinerary before traveling.

Your trip, your rules, your comfort zone

Keep in mind, this is your trip, and it should be fun! So feeling comfortable is important. If you don’t feel ready to book an international trip just yet, domestic travel can be just as rewarding. If you’re nervous about airports, language barriers, and cultural differences, try getting your feet wet on an adventure closer to home. Book a short flight to a nearby city, or take a road trip - somewhere within a few hours drive from where you live to test what it would be like to experience travel in a way that’s slightly more familiar before branching out to other cultures and places. Transgender and nonbinary travelers have a right to feel safe and affirmed while exploring the world.