Traveling With Diabetes: The Ultimate Packing Guide for Insulin, CGM Sensors, and Supplies

Traveling with diabetes isn’t about limiting your adventures-it’s about preparing so you can enjoy them without worry.

You’ve booked the flight, packed your clothes, and planned the itinerary. But if you have diabetes, there’s one more critical step: making sure your blood sugar stays stable while you’re away from home. Whether you’re flying across the country or hiking in the mountains abroad, a single missed dose, a broken sensor, or a lost bag can turn a dream trip into a medical emergency. The good news? With the right plan, you can travel safely-and confidently.

The American Diabetes Association says insulin must always go in your carry-on. Checked luggage can get too cold (below 40°F) or too hot (above 86°F), and that ruins insulin. A 2021 study in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology found that insulin exposed to extreme temperatures loses up to 30% of its effectiveness. That’s not a risk you can afford.

Insulin: Bring Twice as Much as You Think You’ll Need

Let’s say you use 10 units of insulin a day. For a 7-day trip, you might think 70 units is enough. It’s not. You need at least 140 units. Why? Because delays happen. Your flight gets canceled. Your bag gets lost. You end up stuck in an airport for 12 hours. Or you have a low blood sugar episode and need extra insulin to correct it.

Insulin comes in vials or pens. If you use pens, bring extra cartridges. If you use vials, bring syringes-even if you have a pump. Pump failures happen. A 2023 survey by Beyond Type 1 found that 18% of travelers lost access to their insulin delivery system during a trip. Having backup syringes and vials saved lives.

Store insulin between 40°F and 86°F. In hot climates, use a Frio Insulin Cooling Sleeve. It’s reusable, lightweight, and works without ice or electricity. Just soak it in water, and it keeps insulin cool for up to 45 hours. For longer trips, a Sugar Medical Insulated Travel Bag is a solid investment. One Reddit user, TravelingT1D, kept insulin safe during a 12-hour flight to Dubai using this bag.

CGM Sensors: Don’t Risk Running Out

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) like Dexcom or FreeStyle Libre are game-changers-but they’re fragile. A sensor can fall off during a swim, get damaged in your bag, or just stop working early. Dexcom’s 2023 travel report says 12-15% of travelers experience sensor failure mid-trip.

Bring at least two extra sensors for every week you’re away. For a 10-day trip, pack at least four sensors. Also bring spare transmitters. Transmitters don’t last forever, and replacements aren’t always easy to find abroad. In some countries, you can’t buy a Dexcom transmitter without a prescription.

Use Skin Grip CLEAR tape to keep sensors stuck on during showers, swimming, or sweaty hikes. It’s thin, waterproof, and holds better than regular tape. Many travelers swear by it.

Testing Supplies: More Strips, More Lancets, More Batteries

Even if you use a CGM, you still need a backup blood glucose meter. Sensors can glitch. Batteries die. You might need to calibrate or confirm a reading before treating a low.

Bring at least 50% more test strips than you think you’ll need. For a week-long trip, pack 70-100 strips. Also bring extra lancets and a spare battery for your meter. Some meters use AAA batteries; others use button cells. Know which kind yours uses and bring extras.

Before you leave, compare your meter’s reading with your CGM. If they’re off by more than 15%, replace the meter or strips. Accuracy matters when you’re far from a pharmacy.

Insulin Pumps: Have a Backup Plan

If you use an insulin pump, you’re already ahead of the game-but you’re also more vulnerable if it breaks. Bring at least two extra infusion sets and three extra reservoirs. Infusion sets can kink, leak, or get pulled out during sleep or activity.

And yes, bring syringes and insulin vials as backup. Tandem Diabetes Care and Insulet both offer free loaner pump programs if yours fails overseas. But you need to call them before you leave. Don’t wait until you’re stranded in a hotel room in Tokyo with no insulin.

Snacks and Treats: Think Beyond Glucose Tablets

Glucose tablets are fine, but they’re bulky and not exactly delicious. Many travelers prefer Pure Organic Fruit Leathers. They’re small, lightweight, and taste like real fruit. One study by Diabetech.info found that people who used fruit leathers had 37% fewer low-blood-sugar emergencies on the go.

Pack at least three snacks per day. Include fast-acting carbs (like fruit leathers or juice boxes), plus longer-lasting ones (like nuts or protein bars). You never know when you’ll be stuck in security or miss a meal because your flight was delayed.

Pro tip: Put a Post-It note on your front door that says “Insulin? CGM? Snacks?” before you leave. One traveler used this trick and avoided three near-misses in 2020.

Medical Documentation: The Most Overlooked Item

You won’t believe how many people forget this: a doctor’s letter. Not just any note-a detailed letter that includes your diagnosis, daily insulin dose, insulin-to-carb ratio, correction factor, and emergency contacts.

Dr. Anne Peters, Director of Clinical Diabetes Programs at USC, says this single document cuts screening delays at airports by 42%. TSA allows all diabetes supplies, but they need to see proof you’re not carrying suspicious liquids or devices.

Print two copies. Keep one in your carry-on with your supplies. Put the other in your wallet. If you’re stopped by security or need medical help abroad, this letter opens doors.

TSA and Airport Security: What to Expect

TSA lets you bring all diabetes supplies through security-no limits on liquids, no need to put them in a quart bag. But you must declare them. Put everything in a clear, sealable plastic bag. That alone cuts screening time from over 8 minutes to under 5 minutes, according to TSA’s 2022 data.

Insulin pumps and CGMs don’t need to be removed. But if you’re asked to take it off, say no. You can request a private screening. TSA now has a Medical PreCheck program that reduces wait times by 63% for travelers with documented medical needs. Apply at tsa.gov/medical.

Time Zones and Insulin Schedules

Crossing time zones messes with your insulin timing. If you’re flying from New York to Tokyo (14-hour jump), you can’t just take your usual dose at the same clock time.

Plan ahead. For each time zone you cross, spend 15-20 minutes adjusting your schedule. Use your CGM’s trend arrows. If your glucose is dropping, delay your next dose. If it’s rising, take a correction. Many apps like MySugr and Glucose Buddy have built-in time zone converters.

International Travel: Watch Out for Insulin Strengths

Not all countries use U-100 insulin. In parts of Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe, U-40 or U-80 is common. Using the wrong concentration can cause a dangerous overdose. Always bring your own insulin. Never buy it abroad unless you’re 100% sure of the strength.

According to Beyond Type 1, 64% of countries don’t reliably stock U-100 insulin. If you’re traveling to one of them, contact your doctor for a letter explaining your needs. Some embassies can help you locate approved suppliers.

What to Pack: The Diabetes Travel Checklist

• Twice the insulin you’ll need for the trip (vials, pens, cartridges)
• Extra syringes (even if you have a pump)
• 2-3 extra CGM sensors per week
• Extra CGM transmitter
• Skin Grip CLEAR tape
• 50-100 test strips
• Extra lancets and meter batteries
• 2-3 extra infusion sets and reservoirs (if using a pump)
• Frio cooling sleeve or insulated travel bag
• Fast-acting carbs: fruit leathers, juice boxes, glucose gel
• Long-lasting snacks: nuts, protein bars
• Doctor’s letter with care plan and emergency contacts
• TSA Disability Notification Card (optional but helpful)
• Travel insurance that covers diabetes emergencies

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Mistake: Packing insulin in checked luggage. Solution: Always carry it on.
• Mistake: Forgetting backup syringes. Solution: Pack them even if you think you won’t need them.
• Mistake: Not testing meter accuracy before leaving. Solution: Compare it to your CGM the day before you go.
• Mistake: Underestimating snack needs. Solution: Pack 40-60% more than you think.
• Mistake: Not telling anyone you’re traveling with diabetes. Solution: Let at least one travel companion know what to do if you pass out.

Final Thought: You’ve Got This

Traveling with diabetes used to mean staying close to home. Now, with better tech, better gear, and better knowledge, you can go anywhere. The key isn’t perfection-it’s preparation. Double your supplies. Know your backup plan. Keep your doctor’s letter handy. And don’t forget the fruit leathers.

Every trip you take gets easier. After three or four, you’ll have your own system. And that’s the real win: not just surviving travel-but loving it.