📜 Introduction.
When you travel with Type 1 Diabetes, you have to think about also what and how to pack alongside your favourite outfits.
Fitting all your supplies into one organised bag, keeping your insulin cool and making space for a sensors, pumps and other supplies can be exhausting if you are not prepared.
After years of travelling the world, I have learnt so much about managing diabetes on the road. I know exactly what I really need to carry and in which quantity. That is why I am sharing my favourite must-have items for travelling with diabetes. This way, I hope to help you enjoy your flight comfortably and pack your bag efficiently!
⚠️Disclaimer: The products listed below are Amazon affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through them, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please also bear in mind that prices may vary and products may become unavailable at any time!
The product images are taken directly from Amazon and are not my own pictures.
Table of Contents
- 📜 Introduction.
- ✈️ Outfit for Travelling on the Plane.
- 🛡️ Protect Your Diabetic Devices.
- 🧊 Keep Insulin Safe and Cool.
- 🚥 Adjust Your Diabetes Routine on the Road.
- 🗑️ Disposable Products.
- 💡 Travel Tips.
- 🎈 Conclusion.
✈️ Outfit for Travelling on the Plane.
There are no specific clothing requirements for travelling with Type 1 Diabetes. However, it is always a good idea to layer your clothes, especially on a plane. This way, you won’t feel too cold, and you can easily take off an item if you get hot.
Comfortable shoes.
Diabetics might suffer from nerve and foot problems. Having comfortable shoes for long walks, trekking, and hiking helps immensely. I absolutely love my Salomon Alphacross 4 Gore-Tex shoes. If you follow me on social media, you have probably seen them in all my pictures! They are reasonably priced, waterproof, and incredibly comfortable.
Compression Socks.
When flying for long hours, you might start feeling your legs and feet swell or even ache. That is just the aircraft cabin pressure. Wearing compression socks helps relieve this discomfort. However, do not forget to stand up and have a short walk in the aisle from time to time, though! These Compression Socks by PETTI Artigiani Italiani feature fantastic, careful workmanship. They have a special non-elastic hem that supports the sock without tightening, ensuring your feet stay relaxed and comfortable.
💰 Click here to get your compression socks for only €20.89 💰
Scarf.
T1D patients are sometimes more prone to getting sick due to lowered immune defences. A cosy scarf protects you from catching a cold, especially when they pump freezing air into the plane cabin.
Medical ID.
Especially when travelling alone, having a clear sign defining your condition can be an absolute lifesaver! You can find many lovely medical ID bracelets and necklaces online. You can even personalise them with your specific illness, dosage, and emergency contacts.
💰 Click here to get your personalised necklace for only €11.87 💰
🛡️ Protect Your Diabetic Devices.
It is so easy for your sensor to fall off when you are travelling. Just imagine taking your heavy backpack on and off: one wrong movement, and the straps can easily tear away your sensor or Omnipod CGM.
Waterproof Sensor Patches.
To prevent sensors from falling off when changing clothes or handling luggage, grab some waterproof patches for extra security. They are waterproof and breathable, allowing your skin to breathe freely. You can find different models for both sensors and pumps. I do not use a pump yet, so I buy these specific ones for my FreeStyle Libre 2 CGM.
💰 Click here to get 12 sensor patches for only €9.89 💰
Armband for Sensors.
If you do not want to wear a sticky patch, there are other brilliant solutions to protect your devices. The Libre Shield Freestyle is basically a protective band for your arm. It features a medical-grade silicone cover designed for maximum waterproof protection of the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor, all without the use of adhesive patches. It is completely waterproof, washable, and reusable!
💰 Click here to get your armband for only €30.80 💰
🧊 Keep Insulin Safe and Cool.
My number one concern has always been storing insulin safely while moving between destinations and staying in different accommodations. Unopened insulin needs to stay at fridge temperature and long travel days can cause a drastic temperature change! Meanwhile, your daily pens must stay fresh and avoid extreme hot or cold environments.
Small Cooling Case.
This small refrigerated case by Elite Bags is perfect for keeping your daily insulin pens cool. It safely stores your daily-use insulin and is incredibly small and practical to carry in your handbag. It is ideal for always having your insulin at hand. It is isothermal, meaning the case keeps the temperature constant. Plus, the modern design looks just like a normal cosmetic bag.
💰 Click here to get your cooler case for only €12.95 💰
Refrigerated Case for Medications.
For backup supplies, this cute insulated case by Yarwo has proven to be perfect during my 1-month trip in China. It can easily hold 5 Lantus pens and 8 Humalog pens (plus the other travel essential medications). The product includes a medical insulated case (I chose the medium size with two zips), two reusable ice packs, and a foldable soft fabric pouch. Its dimensions are 21 × 11.78 × 8.3 cm. Whenever necessary, I simply ask hotel or hostel staff to pop the ice packs in their freezer if my room lacks a mini-fridge or there’s not a shared kitchen.
💰Click here to get yours for only €23.99💰
USB Mini Fridge
To keep unopened insulin pens cool all the time, the absolute best solution is a rechargeable travel mini fridge. This fabulous device by SECRETSBOX maintains a temperature of 2-8°C. It functions as a TSA-approved diabetic bag, includes 4 Biogel Ice packs, and charges conveniently via USB. It is available in different colours, fits up to 5-6 insulin pens, and features freely adjustable storage space.
💰Click here to get your USB Mini Fridge for only €132.05💰
🚥 Adjust Your Diabetes Routine on the Road.
Travelling with Type 1 Diabetes means your daily routine will change. Different foods, increased physical activity, and irregular schedules all heavily affect your blood sugar levels.
Glucose Tablets.
I carry quick sugar everywhere but if you do not enjoy eating pure sugar or drinking fizzy sodas, glucose tablets and gels are a brilliant alternative for treating hypoglycaemia. Glucody offers various tasty alternatives with different flavours. I highly suggest buying the tablets because security often considers the gels as liquids. This specific box comes with 250 tablets, and each one contains 2g of glucose.
💰Click here to get 250 glucose tablets for only €19.99💰
🗑️ Disposable Products.
You will not always have a comfortable and clean space to check your blood sugar, inject insulin, or change your CGM. Other times, you simply might not find a public bathroom, either to wash your hands or to dispose your diabetic stuff. In these cases, small measures can certainly help you.
Wipes.
If you check your capillary blood sugar and cannot wash your hands while travelling, you can disinfect your finger (or the area where you will inject insulin) with practical wipes. I recommend the OptiPro disposable pre-injection wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol. They come individually wrapped and are incredibly easy to open.
💰Click here to get 200 pieces for only €18.99💰
Sharp container.
Please be thoughtful of others. This is especially important for cleaning staff in hotels, hostels, and public toilets when you throw away used needles and strips. Even if you are completely safe and healthy, people do not know that. They might worry if a loose needle harms them. It is very important that you dispose of used needles carefully. You can either bend them or replace the plastic cap after changing, or even better purchase a handy disposable sharps container. I like this TRKRVAK Pack of 6 Small Portable Insulin Needle Disposal Containers suitable for travelling diabetics.
💰Click here to get 6 needle disposal containers for only €18.88💰
If you want to be a bit more discreet, you can opt for a portable ashtray. Just be absolutely sure to bend the needle or put the plastic cap before throw them away!
💡 Travel Tips.
The golden rule of diabetes travel planning is simple: prepare for things to go wrong.
Personally, I have had a lot of diabetes-related mishaps while travelling and each one has taught me a very important lesson. From insulin going bad to a damaged supply bag, I have learnt the hard way that backups are completely non-negotiable and utterly vital.
Here are some backup strategies that could literally save your life:
- Keep at least one insulin pen or vial in a different bag.
- Always bring your glucometer, even if you wear a continuous sensor.
- Carry plenty of spare lancets.
- Bring a backup method of insulin delivery (pens if you pump, or syringes if you use pens).
- Do not forget spare batteries for your glucometer!
- Have a good travel insurance.
If you are still doubting whether you should take that long solo trip, take a look at my post Tips for Travelling Long-Term with Type 1 Diabetes for further advice.
🎈 Conclusion.
Travelling with Type 1 Diabetes is not always easy, but it is absolutely possible! With these diabetic travel essentials and efficient solutions to keep your insulin cool, you can enjoy your trip instead with less stress.
Diabetes does not get to set your limits. Armed with this list of must-have items for travelling with diabetes, you can pack smart, plan ahead, and go live your best adventure.
💬 And you? What are your personal must-have items for travelling as a diabetic? Share them in the comments below so we can grow this list for other T1D travellers!
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