Travelling -

Travelling

Diabetes and travelling

Your travelling days are far from over just because you have diabetes. Read more for tips on how to make your travels go smoothly.

Whether you plan to travel for business or pleasure, your diabetes should not stop you. What you need is careful planning. We often see a holiday as a chance to take a break from our normal life. However, a holiday, or any other kind of travel, doesn't mean you can take a break from your diabetes control.

When you plan a trip, make sure your blood sugar is well controlled. Plan ahead and take precautions against any possible problems that could arise.

Discuss your travel plans

Discuss your travel plans with your diabetes care team. If possible, have a medical check-up to make sure you are fit to travel. Get advice and information about travel insurance and any special requirements in the country you plan to visit.

Your diabetes should be well controlled before you leave, and take extra care to keep it under control while you’re away.

Documents you should take with you:

A letter from your clinic or GP explaining you have diabetes, with a note of the insulins or tablets you take (there may be a charge for this)
A doctor’s prescription for your insulin
An identification card or documentation with any relevant medical information. Identity cards can be ordered from the Diabetes UK [Link] website. You may be questioned when going through Security or Customs about your syringes, insulin, meter for measuring blood sugar or tablets. The identification card and letter could save lengthy explanations
Insurance cover. Check that the policy covers your diabetes and any other pre-existing medical conditions that you have
Translations for foreign countries
Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

What to take in your hand luggage:

Extra disposable pens, cartridges or insulin vials
Your blood sugar meter and strips
Test-strips for ketones
A form of "fast-acting" sugar
Snacks
Your diabetes ID card, and
A glucagon injection kit in case of severe hypoglycaemia.

Travelling with someone

If you are travelling with someone, make sure they know you have diabetes and show them what they need to do if you suddenly need help. Ask your travelling companion to carry some of your insulin, in case something happens to your own.

How to keep your insulin

Be careful how you carry your insulin when you're travelling. Always keep it out of direct sunlight. If the weather is hot, pack the insulin in a cool bag. Don't keep it in the glove compartment of a car or leave it in a parked car.

Never store insulin in a freezer or any other very cold place. Insulin that has been frozen should not be used.

When flying, keep your insulin and insulin devices in your hand luggage, so they do not get lost.

Insulin while travelling

Since you change your daily routines when travelling, it's important to keep track of your blood sugar. Test your blood sugar frequently and adjust your dose of insulin if necessary. Take advice from your diabetes care team on adjustments to your routine if you are crossing time zones.

Travelling and diabetes: A summary

Diabetes needn’t stop you from travelling, as long as you plan your trips carefully in advance
Discuss your travel plans with your care team beforehand
Ensure your blood sugar levels are well controlled before you travel
Take all the necessary equipment and documentation
Take care about carrying and storing your insulin
Test your blood sugar frequently and adjust your insulin if necessary
Relax and enjoy your trip!

INS/690/0107

Last updated: May 2007