• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Travel

G

Geoff_B

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I'm going on holiday next month for 2 week's and I need to take 7 insulin pens with me can I take all of them with me on to the plane in my hand luggage
 
Geoff_B said:
I'm going on holiday next month for 2 week's and I need to take 7 insulin pens with me can I take all of them with me on to the plane in my hand luggage
Click to expand...

My doctor said me in case of traveling that you have to communicate that you will travel with your medication.
 
I am traveling now, in Borneo awaiting transport to airport to plane for Oz.
My suggestions : Use Frio pouches, take them in hand luggage made of material that allows evaporation. At Heathrow I was told to put them in the clear plastic bags provided for liquids. Show any needles you are carrying in your hand luggage, no problem usually but you may be dealing with a learner security person.
Take extra everything as traveling does strange things to bgs even if you feel cool,calm and collected.
Get a letter from your GP, they usually have a template.
Enjoy your holiday.
 
I'm an insulin pump user and have travelled internationally with my full set of supplies many times. I always keep them in my carry on and have never had an issue. I would just tell security that you have diabetes testing supplies in your case so they are aware of it. A while back my nurse wrote me a letter to carry with me incase I ran into any trouble while travelling and have never once had to use it. I was also told to carry my prescription receipts with me as extra validation but have never been asked for those either. In my experience security has always been polite and understanding when it comes to insulin supplies. Happy travels!
 
Geoff_B said:
I'm going on holiday next month for 2 week's and I need to take 7 insulin pens with me can I take all of them with me on to the plane in my hand luggage
Click to expand...
I travel regularly with work several flights per month.

I carry all my medication in hand luggage needles insulin oral meds.

Get your hands on a customs/doctors letter from your surgery this is a must as some airport security staff will want this.

I have a frio wallet to keep my insulin cool. I've not had to put it in a fridge but if you ask They may do this I have heard that some airlines may refuse this due to health and safety rubbish to do with food hygiene reasons... Maybe worth the wallet... I use it in Saudi at the minute and temps can reach 50 in the summer. And will keep cool upto 48 hours although I've felt it a week later and it's still cool.

In general most airline staff are really good I use the galley to administer insulin as who wants to hide in the toilet!!! I don't hide it I would do it in my seat if they refused but I have never been refused access for this... I don't believe in hiding away but I just think it's good practice especially in such confined space.

In summary carry all your meds in your hand luggage...

1 you won't lose it!
2 hold luggage can reach outside temperatures of -56 at altitude (trust me I'm an aircraft engineer by trade!!!)
 
apasmay said:
My doctor said me in case of traveling that you have to communicate that you will travel with your medication.
Click to expand...

A Dr's letter is sufficient, unless you want to contact your destination and ask for something like a room fridge to store your insulin in.
 
good info from you all but the one thing I was told is to have that docs letter translated to the language of the country you are going to as they are less likely to cause you any hassle.......but where do i get it translated into Italian?

take care of you...and smile...xxx
 
I remember year's ago the British Diabetic Association (now Diabetes UK I think) had a travel section on their website which had useful phrases in different languages for you to print off and carry. It had things like "I'm diabetic and need a doctor", "I've lost/run out of my insulin" and so on. I don't know if there are any on the site now though
 
fairiesue said:
good info from you all but the one thing I was told is to have that docs letter translated to the language of the country you are going to as they are less likely to cause you any hassle.......but where do i get it translated into Italian?

take care of you...and smile...xxx
Click to expand...

I've only been diagnosed over 1 year but I have travelled to possibly some of the remotest of airports since then. I have never been required to give a doctors note in the language of the country travelling, the only time I was asked was Serbia to view my letter and their English is non existent at best...

You say Italian? I'm assuming Italy is the destination your travelling please ignore my ignorance I just wish to be sure...

My travel experience is vast and most countries speak fluent or some English and 99% of the time there will be someone in earshot that can translate... And if it is Italy, or most EU countries you will find the English is their second language especially in the airports...

I wouldn't get too hung up on the letter front... Travelling and airports can be stressful enough without worrying about that as I'm sure your well aware...

Genuinely I wouldn't waste my time having it translated but that's my opinion

Safe travels

Izzy
 
Thanks for your great help it's very much appreciated. I will check the other diabetic site and if nothin comes up i will just go with my docs letter.
We are going to Rome in may for a week and im just a bit wary as im on isulin and didn't know what to expect!
All good now you have helped destress me hahaha

Take care of you...smile...xxx
 
Back
Top