Traveling with diabetes requires some preparation but shouldn’t stop anyone from enjoying what they want to experience. Whether you’re a road tripper or a jet setter, these travel hacks may help make travel a little easier.
Time Zones
When traveling across time zones, it’s not always as simple as updating the time on your insulin pump and hoping for the best. Depending on how many time zones you are crossing, it can be beneficial to adjust the time incrementally. For example, if you are traveling somewhere 6 hours ahead of your home time zone, you could change the pump to 3 hours ahead the day before travel, then adjust to the location’s time upon arrival. Changing the time on your device may not be needed if you’re only going one hour different than your home time zone.
It’s also important to remember to change the time on the insulin pump and then change it back upon returning. If the Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) system is run through an app on a phone, it should update when it automatically updates. However, if the app is retrieving data from the pump, you will likely have to adjust the time on the physical pump itself. For example, the pump will still need to be manually adjusted if using a Tandem Control-IQ pump and app. If using the Tandem Mobi, the app will notify you that you need to adjust the time for the pump.
Recently, when traveling to a location 6 hours ahead and using the iLet, I adjusted the time zone upon arrival without any pre-adjustments. The first morning after arrival, I did a “usual for me” bolus for breakfast and ended up with a low blood sugar. This makes sense because my body was not adjusted yet and I was not experiencing my usual dawn phenomenon because of the time change. So, I recommend erring on the side of caution and considering dosing less insulin to avoid lows that may interfere with the fun of your travel.
Packing
When packing diabetes supplies, I have recently been using a travel bag typically used for toiletries. The bag has multiple zipped pockets, see-through storage, handles, and can hold all my supplies for most trips. It’s also easy to pull out of your carry-on bag if, for some reason, they need to check it and put it under the plane. It also makes it easier for security to examine should they want to. I have also found that packing cubes help organize other items– i.e., low snacks, extra supplies, etc. That way, on arrival, I can put the whole bag of low supplies in one spot and always know where they are.
Pre-Boarding
If you are worried about your bag getting gate-checked, you could ask the gate agent to allow you to pre-board so you can get your medical supplies in the cabin. I honestly had no idea this was something we could take advantage of, but a friend with diabetes has been doing this for years, and they always allow her to pre-board without hesitation.
TSA
I used to be really cautious and tell TSA up front that I have diabetes to make sure they knew before seeing any of my devices. I have found that it is not necessary any more due to the widespread use of CGM. I also always used to follow the recommendations of the pump or CGM company. I would never enter the X-ray machine or put the pump through with the luggage. Then, I started traveling more for work and found that I could indeed put my pump in my backpack, send it through, and have no issues.
Could there eventually be an issue? Maybe. Is it worth the extra hassle for me most of the time? I’ve decided it’s not. I’m currently using an Omnipod, so it stays on my body and isn’t an issue. You have to decide what you feel most comfortable with, though. If you’re traveling outside of your home country, you may want to travel with a document from your healthcare provider stating that you live with diabetes and require your supplies during your travel.
Insulin Storage
If you’re worried about your insulin getting too hot where you are going, traveling with a device called a Frio pack is likely your best option. I used this when traveling to Honduras in college, where we did not have access to refrigeration in the very hot, very sticky climate, and it saved my insulin. However, if you’re traveling to a hotel with a fridge in the room, storing insulin in it is not recommended. The temperature regulation in them can cause the insulin to freeze, and it will not work after it freezes.
Food in Europe vs. U.S.
This is an interesting phenomenon that has garnered more discussion recently among PWD. When some of us from the U.S. travel to Europe, we have noticed that bolusing for the amount of carbohydrates we expect something to be—particularly when it comes to pasta—commonly causes low blood sugars after the meal. From what I have heard from others, the thought is that the food is less processed there and doesn’t cause as significant a rise in glucose.
Finding Medical Assistance
Did you know that most hotels can refer guests to English-speaking doctors if they become ill during their stay? I recently learned this and am surprised it isn’t more well-known. Additionally, many credit card companies offer services such as emergency medical care. Most large hotel chains will also have English-speaking staff – a huge benefit (and privilege) to those of us who speak English as our first language.
More Resources
- Preparing for International Travel by CWD
- General Guidelines for Travel by UCLA Health
- An article from the Journal of Travel Medicine on Traveling with Type 1 Diabetes
Hope these tips help make your travel a little smoother!
Written and clinically reviewed by Marissa Town, RN, BSN, CDCES
