Skip to Main Content
My CONTOUR®Care Healthcare Professionals
English | Français
FREE METER OFFER†

Preparing for a Trip when living with Diabetes

Traveling with diabetes can disrupt your usual diabetes routine, and delayed meals, unfamiliar foods, different time zones, and changes to activities can all impact your blood sugar levels and overall blood glucose control.1 Whether you are living with diabetes mellitus or supporting someone who is diabetic, maintaining stable glucose levels while away from home requires planning.

With proper planning and organization, you can pack your bags confidently and start your next adventure with peace of mind while keeping your blood sugar readings within your target range and effectively managing diabetes throughout your trip.

 

Table of Contents

Talk to Your Doctor Before Traveling Arrow icon
Learn and Inform: Prepare for Diabetes Management Abroad Arrow icon
Diabetes Travel Packing List Arrow icon
What to Wear to Protect Your Feet Arrow icon
Storage of Insulin While Traveling Arrow icon

Talk to Your Doctor Before Traveling

Before traveling, consider booking an appointment with your doctor or health care provider to review your plans and destination. This is a good opportunity to discuss any precautions and request extra medication in case of emergencies. If vaccinations are required, schedule them at least a month before your departure.2

Request a prescription from your doctor (preferably in English) along with a medical letter that outlines the diabetes supplies you’ll be carrying, particularly when traveling by air.2

It’s also important to talk about time zone changes. Your doctor can guide you on how to manage insulin therapy, meal schedules, and blood glucose monitoring based on your travel itinerary to help prevent hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia during travel.2

 

Learn and Inform: Prepare for Diabetes Management Abroad2

  • Learn more about the destination: Check for specific health guidelines for the country that you are visiting. You can do this via foreign travel advice sources, e.g. https://travel.gc.ca/.
  • Learn more about the climate and humidity, as well as nearest doctor and emergency clinics. Extreme temperatures can affect insulin levels, increase the risk of dehydration, and contribute to high blood sugar levels if not carefully monitored.
  • Learn how to update your meter: Before your trip, make sure you know how to update the time on your blood glucose meter. You might find a website address and customer service number on the back of your device, and most companies offer online user guides. Wait until the day of travel to adjust the time on your devices, and consult your healthcare provider about the best time to make this change during your travel day. It's crucial to update the time on your insulin pump to ensure that your basal rates and bolus settings align with your meal and sleep schedule and maintain consistent glucose readings.
  • Learn how to obtain medical assistance in an emergency: Learn enough of the language to request help and recognize signs of low blood sugar levels, severe hypoglycemia, or hyperglycemic episodes.
  • Inform your travel companions about your diabetes and the potential risks of low blood glucose. Educate them on the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar such as shakiness, hunger, confusion, or sweating. Provide clear instructions for treatment and explain how to quickly raise blood sugar using glucose tablets or gel. Keep glucagon and glucose tablets in an easily accessible spot for both you and your companions during the trip to support effective self management.
 

Diabetes Travel Packing List

Pack your diabetes care items in a carry-on bag (not in checked luggage) and it is recommended to bring twice the amount of supplies you anticipate needing to maintain consistent blood sugar control and avoid interruptions in your diabetes management.

 

Essential items for the packing list3

Items marked with an asterisk should be kept in a "mini-kit" that is easily accessible.

  • Glucose monitoring equipment* (meter, test strips, and lancets) – including extra batteries
  • Vials and/or pens of your long- and rapid-acting insulins*
  • Insulin syringes and/or pen needles* (pack twice as many as you think you may need)
  • Testing equipment for ketone monitoring to detect early signs of ketoacidosis
  • Glucose tablets or gel*
  • A letter stating you have diabetes that specifies:
    • Your need for daily injections and that you must carry a supply of medication and syringes
    • Any allergies
  • Spare prescriptions for syringes and insulin with dosing instructions
  • First-aid medication or first aid kit
  • Medical Identification – A bracelet or necklace stating medical diagnosis, allergies and a list of medications including insulin may be beneficial, especially in an emergency and can help prevent serious complications of diabetes
  • Travel insurance
  • A list of emergency telephone numbers including your doctor’s
  • Snacks: enough snacks to cover delayed meals, such as crackers and fruit as well as sugar packs and energy bars
Make sure to keep all your medications in properly-labeled containers.

What to Wear to Protect Your Feet6

Bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

Shoes with stacked heels and rubber soles offer more comfort than flat shoes or those with thin heels. Opt for well-fitting sneakers or athletic shoes paired with cotton socks for optimal support and cushioning.

Make it a habit to check your feet daily, focusing on the heels and soles. If you notice any redness, apply a moleskin bandage to protect the area from further irritation. Any cuts or breaks in the skin should be treated promptly to prevent infections, nerve damage, or more serious diabetes complications.

 

Storage of Insulin While Traveling

Keep your insulin (or other medication) at the right temperature at all times.2

While traveling with insulin, make sure that your insulin is not in extreme hot or cold environment. Keep insulin vials in cold packs storage until you open it. Once a vial is opened, it can be stored in a cool place below 30°C. Some insulins must be used within 10 days if it is stored at room temperature so ask your doctor if your particular insulin has a shorter or longer lifespan. Exposure to extreme temperatures can lead to reduced potency, resulting in elevated blood sugar, high blood glucose levels, or unexpected low blood sugar episodes.

Know beforehand which measures you need to undertake depending on the climate you are travelling to and the specific medication you are bringing to maintain stable glucose levels and overall diabetes health.

The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner for personalized advice tailored to your specific needs and health condition.

Testing On the Go: Second-Chance® Sampling May Help You Get It Right in Imperfect Conditions

It's not always easy to perform a blood glucose reading. The CONTOUR®NEXT GEN blood glucose meter provides you with 60 seconds to apply more blood to the same strip4, if needed, making it easy to perform a reading even in imperfect conditions.

Discover CONTOUR®NEXT GEN

Frequently asked questions

The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations tailored to your specific diabetes type and health condition.

We do not endorse or control the content of third-party websites. While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, we are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or reliability of any external sites. Please review the terms and privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

References:

1. CDC. Tips for Traveling With Diabetes. Published May 15, 2024. Accessed Mach 24, 2026. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/tips-for-traveling-with-diabetes.html

2. IDF. Travelling and Diabetes. Published December 21, 2020. Accessed Mach 24, 2026. Available from: https://idf.org/europe/media/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/AwarenessPaper-DiabetesAndTravelling-21Dec2020_compressed.pdf

3. Diabetes Canada. Air travel. Accessed Mach 24, 2026. Available from: https://www.diabetes.ca/learn-about-diabetes/your-rights/air-travel

4. CONTOUR®NEXT GEN Blood Glucose Monitoring System User Guide, Rev. 05/24.

5. Diabetes UK. Travelling with diabetes. Accessed Mach 24, 2026. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/living-with-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/

6. UCLA Health. Guidelines for travel. Accessed Mach 24, 2026. Available from: https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/endocrinology/diabetes/type-1-diabetes/guidelines-travel