Travel is picking back up, trips are being planned, and vacations are being taken. Whether you’re headed on a quick weekend road trip, cross-country excursion, or going international, planning what to pack can be a bit of a headache when living with type 1 diabetes. I’ve put together my type 1 diabetes travel packing list that helps me prepare for my upcoming excursions.
How much insulin should I take?
What supplies should I bring?
How often will I have to change my CGM?
What snacks can I bring on the plane?
DO I EVEN HAVE ROOM FOR ALL OF THIS?!
If you’re anything like me, you probably stress about what to pack for a few days prior, make a bunch of lists, and then throw everything in a bag and hope for the best. We are no longer playing this guessing game! We are being proactive, we are being organized, and we are having a stress-free T1D vacation, ok!!
No matter what your diabetes ~ situation ~ looks like (pumps, pens, vials, etc), my philosophy on how I pack when I travel will help organize your diabetes into a packable and stress-free situation.
My Type 1 Diabetes Travel Packing Philosophy
Pack as if you will be traveling for (at least) twice as long as your planned trip. That means if you’re going on a weekend trip, bring about a week’s worth of supplies. If you’re going for a week, pack supplies to last for two weeks, and if you’re going abroad for a month, pack enough to last you for two months.
This will allow you a buffer of supplies in case you go through them a bit faster or are stuck at your location for a bit longer. Now, this is my ~ general ~ rule of thumb. Depending on my destination (humid and hot vs. winter weather), or how I plan on spending my days (hiking vs. lounging on the beach), I may adjust specific supplies accordingly (bringing backup CGMs, etc). Now let’s dive into my overall packing list before getting more granular by destination, etc.
MY TYPE 1 DIABETES TRAVEL PACKING LIST
- Insulin Pens – Short and Long-Acting (I will always bring at least one backup insulin pen per type even on short weekend trips)
- Insulin Pen Needles
- Dexcom CGM Sensors
- Dexcom CGM Transmitter Info (Have a picture of it on your phone just in case)
- Dexcom CGM Transmitter (I will only carry a new transmitter with me if my current one is set to expire within the next three weeks)
- Skin Grip Device Tape (Use code CUPOFOJ for 10% off your purchase)
- Alcohol wipes
- Back-up Glucose Meter
- Test Strips
- Extra Lancets for Meter
- Back-up Battery for Meter
- Back-up Syringes (In case there’s an issue with the pens)
- Glucagon
- Medical Alert Bracelet (I always wear mine but I still consider it an item to bring with you!)
- Frio Insulin Cooling Sleeve (I bring this along on all summer trips no matter the location)
- Snacks and Snacks and Snacks and Snacks – (I always pack fast-acting sugars like fruit snacks or dried mangos for lows and complex carbohydrates like protein bars for mid-meal snacking or blood sugar stabilization after a low)
- Optional: Doctor’s Note (I like to make sure to bring a doctor’s note to the airport if I am traveling internationally, although I have never had an issue bringing my diabetes supplies with me on the plane).
~ * Your list will obviously look a bit different if you use an insulin pump, use insulin vials, don’t have a CGM, etc. This list is simply an outline to assist you when packing and organizing your diabetes supplies for a trip. You know your diabetes best so please pack any other belongings that you feel necessary to bring on your trip. * ~
THINGS I CONSIDER WHEN PACKING
Destination
When putting together my type 1 diabetes travel packing list for a trip, my destination impacts the number of supplies I bring with me. If I am going to a hot and humid destination, I will pack an extra Dexcom CGM sensor or two, and make sure I have plenty of Skin Grip device tape on hand. Hot and humid weather means I’ll probably be breaking a sweat, which makes it easier for my CGM tape to pull up and potentially fall off. Bringing additional device tapes can save me from a wasted sensor (and wasted $$$ if you know what I mean). I will also make sure to bring my Frio Insulin Cooling Sleeve to keep my insulin pens cool anytime we aren’t in contact with air conditioning and/or a fridge.
If I am heading to a cooler climate or a higher elevation, I normally bring an additional short-acting insulin pen. I’ve learned that my insulin doesn’t work as well when my body is cold or at a higher elevation. I don’t use THAT much more insulin, but it’s something I consider when taking a winter trip.
ACTIVITIES
In addition to destination, I also take into consideration our planned activities when packing for the trip. If we will be active the entire time, I’m making sure I OVERLOAD on the number of snacks I bring (both low snacks and regular snacks), especially if there won’t be options to buy many snacks when we get there. If I will be hanging out in the pool or ocean for the majority of my trip, I will bring extra Dexcom CGM sensors and Skin Grip CLEAR tape (it’s hands down the best waterproof tape I’ve ever used) just in case.
ACCESS
Access is another factor that I consider when packing for a trip. Am I going to a place with a pharmacy nearby? Will I have access to a grocery store? Can I get additional supplies if needed? If the answer to any of those questions is no, I will stock up on those supplies, snacks, etc. If the answer to those questions is yes, I feel a bit better about not bringing a backup battery for my meter or enough snacks to last the entire duration. Plan ahead!
Looking for more info? Check out my post about Traveling with Type 1 Diabetes for more tips on what to expect at the airport, managing blood sugars out of your normal routine, and navigating a new destination with T1D.
I hope you enjoyed some insight on how I prepare for travel while also living my life as a very cool and very fun type one diabetic. If you’re new here, I’m Ariana! I offer a fresh take on living with diabetes through fun low carb cocktail recipes, my t1d art shop, and a brand new youtube channel. Thanks for stopping by! ◡̈ ☆
Hi. My name is Ash. I was diagnosed with Steriod induced diabetes last year. It has turned into type 1. Thank you for the list share! It is easy to read and definitely helped me.
I’m so glad you found this post helpful! <3