Top Travel Tips from LGBTQIA+ Travel Experts

Travel is never one-size-fits-all. We can help you find the best destinations for you and everyone you’re travelling with, so that you all feel safe and welcome. Our Experts can help you navigate the local culture and laws that affect the LGBTQIA+ community and point you in the right direction. 

Some of our favourite LGBTQIA+ inclusive destinations include: 

1. New York City 

2. Sitges 

3. Berlin 

4. Auckland 

5. Puerto Vallarta 

6. Barcelona 

7. San Francisco 

8. Taipei 

9. Mykonos 

10. Sydney 

11. Thailand 

12. Sao Paulo 

13. Amsterdam 

Should you reserve a room with a king bed or two queens? Is it safe to hold hands while you’re exploring the city? Will you get “the look” if you request a romantic dinner for two? Don’t fret—we’ve been there, and we’re here to help! 

Our Travel Experts can help you travel safely and comfortably with tips for your specific itinerary wish list. 

Booking hotel rooms with your polyamorous partners? Ask us to help you find hotels with: 

• Super king beds 

• Rooms with a maximum capacity of more than 2 adults 

• Known poly-friendly environment or events  

• Enough amenities for 3 or more people 

Plan for a Smooth Security Screening 

All airports in Australia use body-scanning technology to screen passengers. Most scanners use gender-neutral technology but there may be cases where body scanning equipment requires the screening officer to select the gender of the person being scanned, which is often based on the traveller’s external appearance. 

If a physical search (ie. pat-down) is required, you can ask to be taken to a private room and you can always ask for a physical search to be conducted by someone of the gender of your choice. If you feel uncomfortable or have any questions at any stage in the screening process, you can ask for a different screening officer or ask to speak to the on-duty screening supervisor.  

Stay Safe & Comfortable 

Remember to follow your physician’s guidelines about safe time limits for wearing a binder, even on long-haul flights. You might want to consider planning small breaks for yourself or giving yourself extra downtime once you check into your hotel. 

ou’re entitled to travel with your medication, including gender-affirming hormone prescriptions. Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

• Keep all medications in one place along with a photocopy of your prescriptions 

• Consider packing your medications in your checked luggage to avoid delays in security. If you are worried about lost baggage, you can take medications in your carry on – as long as you are sticking to the liquid limits if leaving from an international airport.  

• You can also consider bringing a sterile syringe in your carry-on and keeping the rest of your medication in your checked luggage 

In order to board a plane or check into a resort, you will need to make your booking using your legal name and gender marker, as shown on your passport. (We know… we're sorry.) 

That being said, our Experts are happy to request that your hotel, resort, or tour hosts use your chosen name throughout your stay. 

If your gender marker has changed, even if your legal name has not before your passport is out of date- you may be eligible for a free replacement passport. Find out more here.  

Travel is a beautiful way to make new meaningful connections with other members of the global LGBTQ+ community. Ask our Experts for their recommendations for: 

• Gay, lesbian, or trans cruises 

• LGBTQIA+ neighbourhoods and hotels 

• International pride events 

It’s no surprise that not every country is accepting of LGBTQIA+ unions culturally or legally. So, unfortunately, same-sex couples have more to think about when planning a destination wedding.  

Typically, your two options are a symbolic ceremony or a legal ceremony. With the right Expert to help, a symbolic ceremony can be pulled off almost anywhere (with the papers being officially signed back here in Australia, while legal ceremonies are limited to a smaller list of destinations.