Social Story Templates

Social Stories About Travel

Travel can be exciting, fascinating, noisy, tiring, and occasionally held together by one cereal bar and a brave smile. For some children, a journey is pure adventure. For others, it is a lot of new sounds, new rules, waiting around, rushing at strange moments, and being told things like “we just need to queue here for a little while,” which adults say with a confidence that children do not always share.

That is where social stories can help. They break travel down into clear, friendly steps so children know what to expect and can feel more prepared. This page brings together our social stories about travel, from everyday journeys to airports, airplanes, holidays, and travelling more independently.

Travel social stories illustration

Choose from the topics below -

I am going to ride a bus today with my dad. I love travelling by bus

Travelling in a Bus

sensory travel

What happens during a bus journey.

I'm going to travel on an airplane soon. Sometimes an air journey can be very long

Travelling on an Airplane

airplane airport travel waiting

What happens during a flight so the journey feels calmer and more predictable.

When I travel on a train, I need to stay with an adult at all times to stay safe

Travelling in a Train

sensory travel waiting

What happens when travelling by train.

I will be going on a school trip with my class and teachers

I am so excited!

Going on a School Trip

school school-trip travel

What a school trip may involve so they can feel more prepared.

Soon, we are going on a holiday

I'm feeling excited and a little worried

Preparing for a Holiday

holidays routine travel

What it means to get ready for a holiday and why planning ahead can make things feel easier.

I am going on a holiday soon, and I can try to pack my things 

I can pack my things
myself

Packing for Holiday

holidays routine travel

What packing is, why it matters, and how they can take part in a calm and helpful way.

We are going to the airport to catch a plane. We need to arrive a few hours early. 

Going to the Airport

airplane airport travel waiting

What happens at the airport before a flight.

Soon, I will be walking to school on my own. This will help me feel confident and independent

I'm so excited

Walking to School on My Own

independence safety school travel

What to expect on the route and how to stay safe when travelling independently.

Soon, I will be taking a bus or train to go to school on my own 

I'm so excited

Taking Public Transport to School on My Own

independence safety school travel

The journey to school on public transport broken into simple, clear steps so children can feel more prepared and safe.

I can feel a little nervous when I’m going through airport security, and that is okay

Going Through Airport Security

airplane airport safety travel

The airport security process in simple language, with calm ways to follow each step.

Sometimes I feel nervous but also excited when it is time to board the plane

Boarding an Airplane

airplane airport travel waiting

What happens during boarding in a simple and reassuring way.

I feel excited and sometimes a little nervous when the plane takes off or lands

I can feel strange vibrations and sounds

Airplane Takeoff and Landing

airplane airport travel

What happens during take-off and landing and simple ways to stay calm.

When I am on the plane, I may need to use the bathroom

It can be small and a bit different

Using Airplane Toilet

airplane safety toilet travel

What to expect when using an airplane toilet and that it is okay to take their time and ask for help.

When I am flying on a plane, I can try to keep myself safe

Staying Safe on an Airplane

airplane safety travel

Simple safety rules on a plane, including seatbelts, listening to cabin crew, and staying calm during the flight.

Sometimes I ride the school bus to go to school or on a school trip

I'm excited to go on
the trip

School Trip Bus Ride

safety school school-trip travel

Helps children prepare for a school trip to make their journey safe, predictable, and comfortable.

Sometimes I visit the zoo with my family or school

We are going to
the zoo

Visiting a Zoo

school school-trip travel

Help children manage noise, busy places, walking long distances and feel calm, safe, and confident while exploring animals and new environments.

Sometimes I visit a museum or art gallery with my family or school

We are going to the museum!

Visiting a Museum or Art Gallery

school school-trip travel

Help children manage walking long distances and feel calm, safe and confident while new environments.

Sometimes I go on a school trip with my class and teachers

It's my class trip today

Safety on School Trips

safety school school-trip travel

Help create safety awareness in children while travelling, staying with their group, and following instructions in new environments

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FAQs

Travel stories work especially well when children can revisit them more than once before the journey.

  • Read the story ahead of time - A few days before a trip is great. The morning of the journey while everyone is hunting for passports is usually less ideal.
  • Talk through the steps together - Children often feel calmer when the journey becomes a sequence of familiar moments instead of one giant unknown.
  • Return to the story during travel if needed - A quick reminder can be really helpful in the middle of a journey.
  • Keep expectations warm and realistic - Children do not need to feel perfect about travel. They just need to feel more prepared.

These stories are helpful for autistic and neurodivergent children, and for any child who benefits from knowing what a journey might involve before it begins.

You can use these stories before a holiday, before a bus or train journey, before flying, or before a child takes a new step towards travelling more independently.

These travel social stories can help children with:

  • preparing for a journey
  • understanding airports and airplanes
  • coping with waiting while travelling
  • feeling safer during travel
  • adjusting to holidays and new places
  • building confidence with independent travel

A travel social story is a short, simple story that helps children understand what to expect during a journey or travel-related event.

Yes. They are often especially useful before holidays, airports, flights, and new travel experiences.

No. They can also help with buses, trains, school trips, and independent travel.

Usually, yes. Repetition helps the journey feel more familiar and less overwhelming.