Please read over the Travel Checklist

• Preparation for your holiday

  Here is advice on what you should do before going on holiday.
  Speak to your diabetes team at least 2 weeks before you go away.

  Also check you have appropriate insurance. Some travel insurance policies don’t cover diabetic emergencies. Your policy must include pre-existing medical conditions as well as these emergencies, so it’s a good idea to check your policy with your insurer before you go.

• Find out about your destination
  • If you’re on insulin, check what insulin will be available in the country you’re visiting – the names and strengths of insulin can vary.
  • Check if you need to have vaccinations to go to your destination – vaccinations can temporarily affect your diabetes and you may need to adjust your medication.
  • Although English is understood in many foreign countries, learn a phrase that will get you help if you need it
• Medical Identification
  • It’s important that you wear or carry something that says you have diabetes in case you are ill abroad or if you are questioned when passing through Customs.
  • If you take insulin, it’s advisable to declare your needles, syringes or pens and monitoring devices when passing through Customs.
  • It’s also a good idea to take a letter from your diabetes team that explains the types of insulin and the devices that you use.
• Find out about your destination
  • If you’re on insulin, check what insulin will be available in the country you’re visiting – the names and strengths of insulin can vary.
  • Check if you need to have vaccinations to go to your destination – vaccinations can temporarily affect your diabetes and you may need to adjust your medication.
  • Although English is understood in many foreign countries, learn a phrase that will get you help if you need it
• Journey planning

  It’s important to plan for the journey as well as for your destination. For example, think about the food that will be available to you when you’re travelling. Would you want a diabetic meal on the plane or boat or do you need to pack extra snacks? Also, because your routine is changed when you travel, it’s a good idea to test your blood more often than usual.

  • Remember to keep your testing equipment somewhere that’s easy to get to
  • If you cross time zones, keep your injections and meals to your own watch times
  • Change your watch on arrival and when you arrive back home.
  • Remember that if you travel west, the day is longer, so you may need more food and insulin/tablets. If you travel east, the day is shorter, so you may need less food and insulin/tablets.
• Medication and food
  • Take adequate supplies of your medication for the journey, and allow for delays.
  • Also make sure you have enough carbohydrate to last if you get delayed.
  • If necessary, divide insulin up between your family or friends who are travelling with you.
  • If you’re flying, store insulin in hand luggage, as it can freeze in the hold of the plane.
  • Your diabetes team will give you in-depth advice on how to manage your medication on your journey.
• Sun safety
  • Keep your insulin in a cool place out of direct sunlight (e.g. in a cool bag or fridge), but make sure it doesn’t freeze.
  • Monitor your blood glucose (sugar) control – a warm climate can cause blood glucose to drop and you may need less medication.
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Don’t walk barefoot on hot sand or other surfaces.

  If you’re somewhere cold:
  Make sure you wear enough warm clothing – lots of thin layers are better than one thick layer.

  • Think about sun safety
  • Monitor your blood glucose control – a cold climate can make your blood glucose rise and you may need more medication
  • Don’t let your insulin freeze.

  Blood glucose testing meters and strips may be affected by hot and cold temperatures and altitude. Check your meter handbook for more information.

  • Insulin or tablets, needles and pens or syringes – take extra supplies
  • Identification and letter from your diabetes team explaining your need for medication
  • Blood glucose monitor, finger pricker and strips – take extra strips
  • Hypo food/glucose tablets
  • Insurance and medical documents
  • Travel sickness and diarrhoea treatments
  • A safe device for sharps disposal