You love to travel. But packing with diabetes can seem overwhelming. I’m with you! I have been living and traveling with diabetes for 19 years, and I’ve learned a few things. Here are my tips to traveling with diabetes:

Always keep your diabetes supplies separate from the rest of your luggage, and plan to carry it on the plane. I repeat, never check your diabetes supplies with the rest of your luggage! If the airline loses your luggage, you don't want your supplies lost too. Also, when going through TSA, it helps to have your supplies in its own carrier. This makes it easier for security to screen. Before entering any metal detectors, make the person in charge aware of your diabetes supplies and devices (pumps and CGMs).

Always make sure to pack plenty of supplies! I like to pack more than I think I will need. If you are Type 1 or an insulin using Type 2, this also includes packing low snacks. Anytime I travel I bring exactly what I’d use at home on my trip. I would recommend making a list a week before to give you time to get extra supplies if you need them. I use this diabetes travel bag to fit all of my insulin pens, pen needles, and backup supplies (I always bring twice as many supplies as I need). It’s always better to be safe!

Make sure to have daily use bags for all your supplies during your trip! It’s so vital to have everything you need on you at all times. This also means keeping in mind what you will be doing on your trip. For example, I recently went to Las Vegas, and brought my diabetes backpack with me since I knew I’d need to have extra snacks when I went to the pool to swim. Whereas, for the nightclubs I carried a mini crossbody which perfectly fit both of my insulin pens, my meter, and even some low snacks!

Don’t forget to keep your insulin cool! Living in Southern California, sometimes I forget my insulin won’t stay room temperature around the rest of the world. I like to use a FRIO cooling pouch because it doesn’t require refrigeration to stay cool. This is incredibly useful when traveling and you don’t know when you will have access to a refrigerator.

You can travel the world and have diabetes. It just requires a little more planning. Wheels up!