Traveling can be an exciting experience, and people living with Type 1 Diabetes can absolutely explore the world with the right preparation. Whether you are planning a trip within your country or traveling abroad, understanding the differences between domestic and international travel can help ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.
We LOVE to travel and after our son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2021, I thought our travels, especially abroad were over. We have continued to travel both domestic and internationally with no problems. It all just takes some extra planning, but you can do it!
Why Planning Ahead Matters
Managing Type 1 diabetes while traveling requires thoughtful preparation. Changes in time zones, food choices, activity levels, and access to medical care can affect blood glucose levels. Planning ahead helps reduce stress and allows you to focus on enjoying your trip.
Be careful with elevation levels as well. During our trip out west, our son’s numbers ran high due to the high elevation in Colorado.
One piece of planning that’s easy to miss: most travel insurance excludes pre-existing conditions unless you buy a waiver, and that window is usually about 14 days from the day you book. So the insurance decision is really a booking-day decision, not something to sort out later. If you’re pricing an all-inclusive, Iberostar’s early-booking offers (opens in a new tab) are one place to start while that window is still open. We earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you — our disclosure explains how.
Domestic Travel with Type 1 Diabetes
Traveling within your own country is often easier because you are familiar with the healthcare system, language, and food options.
Benefits of Domestic Travel
- Easier access to your usual medications and diabetes supplies
- No language barriers when seeking medical help
- Familiar foods that make carbohydrate counting easier
- Simpler insurance coverage for medical needs
Tips for Domestic Travel
- Pack extra insulin, glucose monitoring supplies, and snacks
- Click on the link to view our packing list
- Keep all diabetes supplies in your carry-on bag
- Watch the video (opens in a new tab) of our carry-on bag packing
- Best organizer (opens in a new tab)for travel- watch the video (opens in a new tab) too
- Bring glucose tablets or fast-acting sugar for low blood sugar episodes
- Have a prescription or doctor’s note in case supplies need to be replaced
If you want the all-inclusive experience without a passport or a time-zone shift, somewhere like Miami Beach (opens in a new tab) keeps you in-network for prescriptions and one phone call from your own endocrinologist.
International Travel with Type 1 Diabetes
Traveling internationally can be an amazing opportunity, but it requires additional preparation for people managing Type 1 diabetes.
Additional Considerations
- Time zone changes may require adjustments to insulin schedules
- Different foods can make carbohydrate counting more challenging
- View our carb count page for helpful apps and ideas to count carbs, AI options are great!
- Language barriers may make it harder to explain medical needs
- This happened to us at the airport while trying to explain various items in the medical bag. I ended up showing his devices on his body and said he has type 1 diabetes in their language.
- Different healthcare systems may affect access to medical care
Tips for International Travel
- Bring more supplies than you think you’ll need
- Check out our packing list page
- Carry a doctor’s letter explaining your diabetes and medications
- Research the local healthcare system at your destination
- Consider travel insurance
- Learn how to say “I have diabetes” in the local language
- This is very helpful, especially at the airport or restaurants
- Purchase these testing strips (opens in a new tab) to ensure diet drinks are being served
- This happened to us accidentally as we had multiple servers and one did not realize it was a diet drink. Always helpful to test the drink! Watch our diet testing video: HERE (opens in a new tab)
- Keep insulin in a temperature-safe travel case
- Click here (opens in a new tab) for a great option for daily travel, we put our current opened vial in this Frio bag.
- Click here (opens in a new tab) for a great option to keep unopened bottles in and then put inside the refrigerator at the hotel upon arrival.
- Store supplies in carry-on bag only in case luggage is lost
- Bring extra snacks items- video (opens in a new tab) of ideas!
- We pack these in multiple checked bags to have on hand while exploring in case food is not easily accessible, plus it helps to be able to know the exact carb count on those pre-packaged snacks.
For a first trip abroad, a single-resort stay removes most of the variables — you’re not changing hotels, hunting for meals with unknown carb counts, or carrying supplies between cities. Cancun (opens in a new tab) is a short flight from much of the US, and the time difference from Eastern is at most an hour, so basal timing barely shifts.
Airport Security and Diabetes Supplies
If you travel by air, diabetes devices such as insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors may require special screening. Check out our airport security page for more information and links to various companies to check their requirements.
- Inform security personnel that you have diabetes
- Use TSA Cares if the airport has it available
- Keep devices and supplies easily accessible
- Carry documentation for medications and devices
General Travel Tips for Type 1 Diabetes
Whether traveling domestically or internationally:
- Monitor your blood glucose levels more frequently
- Stay hydrated
- Pack healthy snacks for unexpected delays
- Adjust insulin for increased activity levels
- Keep emergency contact information with you
Enjoy the Journey
With proper preparation and awareness, traveling with Type 1 Diabetes can be safe, enjoyable, and empowering. Whether you are exploring a nearby city or traveling across the globe, managing your health while experiencing new places is completely possible.
Travel confidently, plan ahead, and enjoy every moment of your journey.
T1DTips is run by a T1D family. When you buy through our links, a portion of the proceeds supports our son's Breakthrough T1D team fundraising.
