20 Travel Hacks People With Diabetes Should Know

If you have diabetes, you know that travel takes a lot more than just buying a ticket and booking your stay.

“The main challenge for people with diabetes when traveling is management of blood glucose,” says Barbara Eichorst, RD, certified diabetes care and education specialist and the American Diabetes Association’s vice president of healthcare programs in Chicago.

Fortunately, with some strategic planning, you can travel safely and enjoy your vacation while managing diabetes, experts say. Here’s how:

Gather together the information and supplies you need to travel with diabetes like a pro.

1. Schedule a Visit With Your Provider

Before traveling, if you aren’t up-to-date with your health exams, schedule a visit with your doctor (particularly if you are traveling for a long time or a long distance from home). “You want to make sure your diabetes is under reasonable control before going on a trip,” says Steven Nagelberg, MD, an endocrinologist with Jefferson Health in Philadelphia. He says this can be done at a regular visit — even if your appointment is six months before your trip.

If there are questions about your condition or supplies (when going through airport security, for example), this letter can provide a helpful explanation. Collins adds that a letter also helps people understand your needs should you require medical help.

2. Get to Know TSA Rules

If you’re flying, read up on what to expect at security checkpoints. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows insulin pumps, glucose monitors, and diabetes medications in carry-on and checked bags on planes, but there are special instructions you must follow when going through TSA checkpoints.

• Bring medications in their original prescription bottles; if you use a pill organizer, bring the prescription labels. (If possible, bring the prescription label for medical devices too.) These labels aren’t required by TSA, but they can make screening easier.
• Pack medications in a clear, sealable bag that you can easily access, as you’ll need to separate the clear bag from your other baggage during security screening.
• Bring medical identification and contact information for your physician.

3. Pack Your Supplies Appropriately

Luggage — and the insulin, pumps, batteries, or meters it contains — can be lost, delayed, or damaged, putting you at real risk, says Eichorst. “Overpack and split supplies to build your safety net,” she says.

To ensure that you have the right amount, pack twice what you’ll need, advises Danica Collins, a San Diego–based health coach who has type 1 diabetes. This should include insulin, glucose tablets, snacks, testing supplies, medicines, and more.

Instead, pack these medications and supplies in your carry-on. In addition, if you wear a continuous glucose monitor, Eichorst advises bringing a spare in case the one you’re wearing gets damaged.

4. Prep Snacks and Treats

While you might be able to find the things you want at stores or shops, plan for the possibility that your stops won’t have what you need.

“Airports might stock sugar-free pretzels; gas stations run out; campsites have zero,” says Collins. “Bring double your gummies, glucose tabs, and juice boxes — plus a handful of your favorite grab-and-go snacks, so you can prevent lows and actually enjoy the journey.”

“Have carb snacks to treat hypoglycemia,” adds Eichorst, “and protein snacks to prevent hypoglycemia.”

5. Prepare for New Time Zones

Changing time zones can throw off your routine, meal times, and sleep schedule. “Probably the most challenging thing of all in travel is time zone changes,” says Dr. Nagelberg. To combat these issues, make a plan in advance, and ask your doctor if you should change your insulin doses.

For example, for patients who take a single shot of basal insulin, Nagelberg might suggest splitting up the dose and taking half every 12 hours, starting a few days before the trip. “That will make the transition easier,” he says.

The reason why? If a change in time zones throws off your schedule, then you might be six hours off your schedule, for instance, versus 18 hours from when you needed the dose.

You should always ask your diabetes provider for their recommendations about adjusting your insulin dose and the timing of your pump, based on your specific health and travel situation. This is something you can do at your pretravel doctor’s appointment.

6. Create a Backup Plan at Your Destination

Plan your care resources in advance so you don’t have to scurry or panic once you arrive, if you need additional supplies or medications. “From remote campsites to cross-country highways, finding a pharmacy or clinic on short notice isn’t guaranteed,” Collins explains.

To plan, research pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics near your accommodations and save them in your phone. Also, keep in mind that different countries may have different brands of medicine, so plan backups and alternatives if needed.

7. Prepare for Potential Emergencies

“Save local emergency numbers and your doctor’s contact,” Collins advises. “Learn ‘I have diabetes’ in the local language or keep it in a translation app.”

8. Wear a Medical ID

Nagelberg especially recommends wearing a medical ID if you are traveling alone or have type 1 diabetes, as the risk of hypoglycemia is higher then than with type 2 diabetes.

The journey to your destination — whether by car, train, or plane — can create extra challenges. For instance, you might be sitting for a long time, and you can’t always control when or where you stop and what’s available. Follow these important tips:

1. Keep Snacks Close at Hand

Travel can be restrictive sometimes. In a plane, you can’t always access the overhead compartment, and when you’re on a road trip, you can’t always pull over to get something from the trunk. That’s why Collins recommends keeping some carbohydrate snacks within arm’s reach, either in your seatback pouch, the center console of the car, or a hip-belt pocket when walking about.

“Treat lows fast — no rummaging required,” she says.

2. Move Often

“Stop to stretch or walk every 60 to 90 minutes to boost circulation,” advises Collins.

3. Check Your Blood Sugar Routinely

Travel can disrupt routines. Don’t let it disrupt routine blood sugar checks. Eichorst suggests setting an alarm to regularly check your blood glucose. “Monitor your blood glucose more frequently when traveling, or better yet, use a continuous glucose monitor,” Eichorst explains.

It’s tough to predict how your body will respond during travel or vacation. “New foods, activities, and stressors can all sway blood glucose,” Collins adds. “Test more often for the first 24 to 48 hours,” she advises, and then make adjustments as needed.

4. Go Through Airport Security Like a Pro

5. Enlist Help From Others

Ask friends and family members to help you stay healthy while you travel. Think beyond your inner circle: Tell flight attendants, your tour guide, or others who will be with you that you have diabetes, says Collins. Educate them about the symptoms that you may have if you experience a blood glucose drop, as well as about important info like where you keep your snacks. If you need help, they can lend a hand.

Here’s how to make sure your trip is full of good memories once you are at your destination.

1. Store Your Medications Correctly

2. Stay Hydrated

3. Enjoy New Foods in Moderation

“If you’re going internationally, you might want to look at the typical foods, if they’re really different [from what you usually eat],” says Nagelberg. “You can do your research on the internet to get an idea of their carb content.”

Use info about carbs to estimate insulin needs and appropriate portion sizes for you. For meals when lots of food is available, such as at a buffet on an all-inclusive cruise, consuming food moderately and in reasonable portions may take extra discipline or require extra medication use, Nagelberg says.

4. Stay Safe in the Heat

5. Carry a Mini Diabetes Emergency Kit

If you’re spending your days out and about, bring a mini “emergency kit” with you, so that you’re prepared for any circumstance that may arise. Collins suggests filling a bag with fast-acting carbs (such as hard candies, pretzels, or crackers), a backup meter, a glucagon pen, and a copy of your doctor’s letter — “your absolute essentials,” she says.

6. Wear Comfortable Footwear

7. Know How to Handle a Medical Emergency

You may not need to call your doctor if you have a mild hypoglycemic episode that you’re able to correct on your own, says Nagelberg. However, if you have a severe episode of hypoglycemia, consider calling your provider to talk through what went wrong (so you can avoid it happening again on the trip). If your insulin pump malfunctions and you need insulin injections in place of a pump, call your doctor to get the prescription and instructions on how to use injections, he advises.

Seek emergency help if you have symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening medical emergency. Signs to watch for include thirst, excessive dry mouth, frequent urination, high blood sugar, vomiting, and fruity-smelling breath.

• Those with diabetes have higher risks when it comes to travel challenges such as dehydration, blood clots, and jet lag (among others), so it’s important to take extra steps when traveling to stay healthy and prevent diabetes-related problems.
• Plan for your trip by making sure you have clearance from your doctor for your trip and by packing extra diabetes medications, supplies, and snacks in a bag that you can easily reach while traveling (such as your carry-on).
• While traveling, prevent potential setbacks by moving your body often to maintain circulation, consuming balanced meals and snacks, drinking lots of water, and wearing comfortable footwear.
• Minimize the difficulties of visiting a different time zone by carrying carbohydrate snacks with you in case of low blood sugar, checking your blood glucose levels more often, and adjusting your medication schedule ahead of time if needed.