Travel Checklist
Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a big vacation, this travel checklist walks you through everything you need to feel confident and prepared — so you and your teen can focus on the fun.
✓ Before Your Trip
Planning & Preparing
- Talk to your teen’s medical team about travel plans, including destination and duration.
- Review how to manage possible issues such as low blood sugar or flare-ups.
- Ask which additional medications should be packed in case of problems such as flare-ups or infections.
- Plan how medication schedules will be managed across time zones.
- Discuss with your tween or teen which preparation responsibilities they can take over and where they still need support.
Destination & Environment Planning
- Check the climate at your destination and consider how heat, cold, humidity, or altitude may affect your teen’s condition or medication.
- Research access to medical care at your destination, including nearby pharmacies or hospitals.
- Talk through planned activities with your tween or teen and think about situations that could affect their health, such as:
- Strenuous physical activity
- Long periods without food
- High heat or sun exposure
- Limited bathroom access
- Irregular sleep schedules
Documents & Insurance
- Get a letter from the doctor:
- Stating the condition.
- Confirming the need to carry medication and medical devices.
- Keep the medical team’s contact details accessible.
- Check whether health insurance covers the trip or arrange additional travel insurance.
- Make sure your teen carries their health insurance card and relevant contact information while traveling.
Medications & Supplies
- Pack all regular medications.
- Pack all required medical tools such as inhalers or blood sugar supplies.
- Bring extra medication in case of delays, about one week more than needed.
If medication requires cooling:
- Make sure you have a travel-suitable cooler.
- Get a power bank, fully charge it before leaving home, and do not forget the charging cables.
- Depending on your teen’s age, either brief those traveling with them on what to do in an emergency and where medications are stored, or remind your teen to share this information themselves — including the location of items such as an EpiPen, glucagon injection kit, or quick-relief inhaler.
✓ During Your Trip
- Keep all medication and medical supplies in carry-on luggage. Do not check them in.
- Keep all important documents with you and readily accessible, including:
- Health insurance card
- Doctor’s letter
- Medical team contact details
If traveling with injection medication:
- Use a chargeable cooler.
- Carry an extra power bank if possible.
Add-On Cards for Specific Conditions
Tap a card to expand the checklist for your teen’s condition.
Diabetes ▸
At Security & During Travel
- Keep the insulin pump or CGM on during security checks and inform staff that these devices must not go through X-ray.
- Drink plenty of water to help keep blood sugar stable.
- Plan regular physical activity during the trip to support stable blood sugar levels.
- Check blood sugar frequently.
- Time zone changes, new foods, and routine shifts can affect levels.
- Update the insulin pump to local time upon arrival.
Diabetes Travel Kit
In addition to regular medications and supplies listed above, double-check that the following are packed:
- Extra insulin, more than needed for the trip
- Cool pack and power bank for the cooling system
- Infusion sets
- CGM supplies including extra sensors, transmitters, batteries or chargers
- Needles and sharps container
- Glucose and ketone test strips
- Blood glucose meter
- Healthy snacks such as biscuits, crackers, or dried fruit
- HypoKit
Emergency Kit
Pack a separate, easily accessible emergency kit that includes:
- Glucagon injection set
- Sugary snacks such as glucose tablets, jellybeans, or juice boxes
IBD — Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease ▸
Planning & Seating
- Know where bathrooms are located and how to access them easily.
- Choose an aisle seat when flying, riding a bus, attending a show, or going to the movies.
Hygiene & Clothing
- Pack wipes and tissues in hand luggage.
- Bring an extra set of underwear.
Bathroom Finder Apps
- Flush Toilet Finder & Map, worldwide
- Toilet Finder, worldwide
- Bathroom Scout app, worldwide
- SitOrSquat app, worldwide
- Toilet Map UK
- The National Public Toilet Map, Australia
Prepare well, involve your teen, and trust that you can handle what comes up. Each trip builds confidence — for both of you.
✦ A Personal Note
I remember our first trip after diagnosis. I was nervous, and even with all the planning, we still forgot the charging cable for the medication cooler. Our flight was delayed and we had to improvise.
We figured it out. Someone helped. The next trip was easier.