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Important travel tips¹

Having COPD does not mean you have to give up traveling. You can still go on vacation, but you just need to do a bit of extra planning to make sure your trip is both fun and safe:

Always discuss your plans to travel with your doctor - where you are going, vacation length and travel arrangements. They will know if you are well enough to travel and whether the climate of your destination is likely to affect your health.

Always travel with your medical documents – a list of your medication and your oxygen prescription, if necessary. Also a letter from your doctor, describing your condition and confirming you are fit to travel.

Always travel with your doctor’s contact information, your emergency family member’s details and those of a contact person at your final destination. If you are not traveling by car, it is useful to also include the airline, train or cruise line details on which you are traveling.

Make sure you have the name and location of a doctor and a hospital at your holiday destination in case you need medical assistance while you are away. This information is particularly important if you are planning to be away for a long time.

Take enough medicines to last your entire trip, making sure they are labeled and in their original containers.

Check your health insurance before you leave to make sure you are covered during your journey, especially if you are traveling out of the country, and at your holiday destination.

Always try to travel with someone who knows about your special needs, understands your medicines and can handle your oxygen equipment if needed.

You should also contact your Homecare Provider before you travel so they are aware you won’t be at home.

By plane
By plane

What you may need when flying with COPD¹

Planning ahead will reduce your stress levels, conserve your energy and help minimize the risk of worsening symptoms. Long before you intend to travel, you should discuss with your doctor whether you need oxygen on the plane. As airplane cabins are pressurized for high altitudes, the oxygen levels in the air of the plane are reduced during a flight. This increases the risk of low oxygen levels in your blood. Your doctor will confirm what you need so that you can contact the airline at least 2 weeks in advance and organize it before your flight.

Preparing for a flight¹
If your doctor decides you do need oxygen on the plane, you can take your own portable oxygen concentrator on board. This needs to be organized in advance of your flight, usually a minimum of two weeks. Make sure you have all you need, including charged batteries, and accessories.

Close proximity of passengers on a plane increases your risk of infection. so you may want to wear a mask.

You might also want to organize a wheelchair at the departure and arrival airport. You will need to organize this with the airport beforehand.

Ensure your papers and insurance are up-to-date¹

Check your health insurance before you leave to make sure you are covered during your journey and at your holiday destination. Some policies do not cover you when you travel out of state or out of the country, therefore you may need to buy additional cover for your trip.

Find out details of the local doctor¹
Make sure you have the name and location of a doctor and a hospital at your holiday destination in case you need medical assistance while you are away. This information is particularly important if you are planning to be away for a long time.If you have difficulty finding out the name of a doctor in the area you are traveling to, your own doctor may be able to help you or make a recommendation.
By train
By train

What you may need when traveling by train¹

If you have COPD, planning ahead will reduce your stress levels, conserve your energy and help minimize the risk of worsening symptoms. Long before you intend to travel, you should discuss with your doctor whether you need oxygen on the train.

If your doctor decides you do need oxygen on the train, you can usually take your own portable oxygen concentrator with you. This can be organized in advance of your journey. Usually only 12 hours is required with Amtrak. If you are taking your own oxygen, you need to make sure that you have enough batteries for the entire trip, as well as extra tubing, cannulas, T-connectors, a cylinder wrench and electric adaptors.

If you know you will need oxygen at your destination, you should organize a supplier in advance and make sure you travel with their contact details and the order confirmation.
By car
By car

What you may need when traveling with COPD by car

If you have COPD, planning ahead will reduce your stress levels, conserve your energy and help minimize the risk of worsening symptoms. Long before you intend to travel, you should discuss with your doctor whether you need to take oxygen with you.

Your need for oxygen when traveling by car is determined by the altitude of your destination and the potential for air pollution and allergens while you travel.

High altitudes may cause some breathing difficulties and you are likely to need oxygen. You therefore need to plan your route carefully and make sure you have enough oxygen for the journey (stored safely away from any heat supply), or at least know where you can refill the tanks. If you plan to use the car’s electrical system to power the concentrator, you need to check that the battery and alternator can cope with the extra demand.

Air pollution will be worse during peak times and on busy highways. Traveling via quieter back roads at less busy times of day, with the windows up and air conditioning on, should minimize the risk of triggering a flare-up.

It is important to check that you are not traveling through an area of known allergens for you. Try and plan your trip when these allergens are less likely to be present.

Always make sure that your car has recently been serviced and that you have everything you need in case of a breakdown, including a spare tire, a jack, extra clothes and a supply of water.
Taking a cruise
Taking a cruise

What you may need when going on a cruise¹

If you have COPD, planning ahead will reduce your stress levels, conserve your energy and help minimize the risk of worsening symptoms. Long before you intend to travel, you should discuss with your doctor whether you need to take oxygen with you.

If your doctor decides you do need oxygen on the ship, you can usually take your own portable oxygen concentrator on board, but you must get approval from the cruise line. This can be organized in advance of your journey, usually four to six weeks in advance. If you are taking your own oxygen, you need to make sure that you have enough cylinders for the trip, these can usually be delivered directly to you, and batteries for the entire trip (when using a portable oxygen concentrator), as well as extra tubing, cannulas, T-connectors, a cylinder wrench and electric adaptors.

The cruise line is likely to ask for documentation from your doctor confirming you are fit to travel and outlining your medical history, current prescriptions and your oxygen needs. If you know you will need oxygen at your destination, you should organize a supplier in advance and make sure you travel with their contact details and the order confirmation.