You can read more about flying with insulin in our guide to travelling with diabetes.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a doctor’s note to fly with insulin?

The UK law does not currently need any medical documents that cover diabetes medicine and supplies.

However, having GP prescription may help prevent misconceptions and make the screening process faster, especially if you are traveling internationally.

Ask your doctor for a note saying that you live with diabetes and what medications and supplies you need to fly with.

How do I keep my insulin cold while traveling for over a month?

The rule is that insulin shouldn’t be kept at room temperature out of the fridge for over 28 days.  

If you are spending time in a hotel, a lot of hotels and hostels have fridges that you can use but check beforehand to avoid any issues.

You can also invest in a travel cooler with ice, a mini fridge, or travel coolers that can keep your medication safe.

Can insulin go in checked luggage?

No, insulin should never be stored in checked luggage as the cargo hold temperatures can freeze insulin, rendering it useless.

Always store insulin in your hand luggage, keeping lancets, test strips, needles, and pens in a transparent plastic bag for security checks.

You should also keep a travel letter with these supplies in case more checks are required.