Travel tips
These tips are for people who have cancer and want to travel. You might be having treatment or are recovering from treatment. If so, these tips can help you plan a safe journey.
Planning ahead
It can take some time to arrange everything you might need when travelling, so it is important to plan ahead.
Before you book your trip
- Ask your doctor what travel vaccinations you may need for the destination you are going to.
- Check your passport is valid for when you travel, as you may need to renew it. You need at least 6 months left on your passport for most countries you travel to.
You can research the country you are visiting on the Travel Health Pro website.
If you live in Scotland, NHS Scotland has information and advice about different countries.
At the same time as booking your travel
- Book your travel insurance.
- Let the airline, accommodation and transport you book with know of any equipment you need. Or if you have oxygen with you.
- If you make special assistance arrangements when you book, print out a copy to take with you.
- Check any restrictions on the drugs you can take in or out of the country you’re visiting.
About 8 weeks before travelling
- Make sure you have a Global Health Insurance card (GHIC) or a new UK issued EHIC card (if you qualify for one)
- Book any travel vaccinations you may need.
About 4 to 6 weeks before travelling
- Sort out any equipment (such as oxygen), if you didn't do this when you booked your trip
- Sort out any travel needs. For example, book help getting on and off trains, or request early boarding on flights.
- Check whether you need a licence to take strong painkillers abroad.
About 3 weeks before travelling
- Make sure you have enough of your medicines to last the holiday, plus a few days extra.
- Get a doctor’s letter with details of your cancer, your treatment and a list of your medicines. Include the dose and how often you take them.
Your smartphone and health information
Smartphones have a setting where you can store health and medical details. You can also store information like your travel insurance policy number and phone numbers you may need when abroad.
You can find out how to access and change this information on ABTA's travel insurance page. You need to scroll down to the heading 'Keep Health & Medical ID section in your smartphones up-to-date'.
When travelling
Make sure you have your:
- passport and any other proof of identity that you need
- travel insurance policy, European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if travelling in Europe
- emergency telephone numbers written down or saved
- special travel arrangements that you agreed printed out
- doctor’s letter and prescriptions to hand
- controlled medicines such as opiate painkillers in your hand luggage
- insect repellent and a basic first aid kit
Don’t forget sunscreen and clothing such as hats to protect you from the sun.
