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About Traveling with Diabetes

Courtesy of the National Diabetes Education Program / Diabetes at Work (pdf)

Plan Ahead

• For a big trip, see your medical team for a check-up four to six weeks ahead.
• For trips abroad, get the correct immunizations.
• Get a letter from your doctor explaining your diabetes medicines, supplies, and any allergies.
• Get diabetes identification in the languages of the countries you will visit.
• Learn to adjust your diabetes medicine if you will change time zones.
• Always wear visible diabetes identification.

What to Pack

• Double the amount of diabetes medicine and supplies needed in your carry-on luggage.
• Glucagon kit if you use insulin.
• Insulated bag and blue ice to keep insulin cool.
• Snacks, glucose gel, or tablets to treat low blood glucose reactions.
• Medical insurance card and emergency number for your medical insurance company.
• First aid kit including:
  
  1 - Bandages, gauze, and topical antibiotic
  2 - Pain reliever
  3 - Medicines to treat diarrhea and motion sickness
  4 - Sunscreen and insect spray

When Flying

• Ask for an aisle seat if you will use the restroom for insulin injections.
• Get your ticket and seat early to prevent bumping.
• If traveling alone, tell the flight attendant you have diabetes.
• Keep your diabetes medicines with you, don’t store them in an overhead bin.
• Don’t inject air into the insulin bottle before drawing up your dose. The air is pressurized.

On the Train

• Check to see if a meal will be served when you buy your ticket. Order any special meal requests in advance.
• Remember that meals may not be served at times that fit into your usual schedule of meals, so keep snacks that will not spoil in your carry-on bag (to help avoid unhealthy food choices and long waiting lines at train station restaurants)
• Although it is best to travel with a companion who understands your condition and what to do about it, if you are traveling alone it may be a good idea to let the conductor know that you have diabetes, just in case you should have a problem.
• When checking in for a train, request help boarding if needed.
• If traveling with medications that need to be kept cool, ask train personnel to refrigerate medications while onboard.
• If you need special accommodations - wheelchair space, transfer seats (for when you travel in a seat and stow your wheelchair), accessible sleeper accommodations – train reservations may be required, even for unreserved trains. Call ahead to make your accommodations.
• If you have developed complications that impair your abilities, you may be eligible for a rail discount. Call ahead to find out about their discount program.

For Car Travel

• Don’t leave medicines in the trunk, glove compartment, or near a window.
• Carry extra food in case you cannot find a restaurant.

In General

• Move around every one to two hours to increase comfort and reduce risk for blood clots.
• Tell at least one person traveling with you about your diabetes.
• Never go barefoot, even in the shower or pool.
• Be careful about food safety when traveling in some countries.
• Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
• Drink bottled water with no ice.
• Eat only cooked vegetables and fresh fruit that can be peeled.
• Only consume pasteurized dairy foods.
• Don’t eat food from street vendors.

Before you travel, always check with the Transportation Security Administration for the latest travel updates.

Reviewed by Francine Kaufman, MD. 4/08