Firstly, go for it and enjoy, don’t be put off. Have a great time, life is for exploring and living your dreams. Good luck!

Make a list, check it twice and always take spares of everything. Plan at least three months ahead, give yourself plenty of time to make practical arrangements and prepare for the worst case scenario just in case.

When packing your bags, count your medicines to be absolutely sure you have an adequate supply. Medicine is top of my packing list, together with my passport!

Make flexible travel arrangements so that you can return home in an emergency.

A sunflower lanyard is your best friend at the airport. It will (in most cases) allow you to queue jump and provide extra assistance when needed. It’s recognised in the UK and most European countries. It can be tiring standing in queues, so request disability assistance if you think you might need it.

Be selfish – not in a bad way, but put yourself first. Listen to and know your body and share information about your diet and fluid intake with the people around you.

Before you travel, email the hotel and ask them for a room that would make your stay easier, especially on days when you might feel poorly. For example, you could ask about a sea view, a room near a lift or on the ground floor level, or a room with a walk-in shower. They can’t always oblige, but most of the time they do.

Try to ensure that the route you are travelling has regular service stations so you can stop when you need to.

Wear loose fitting clothing for travelling – flight socks are great. Keep moving your ankles and exercising your feet to stop swelling and try to elevate your legs when you can.

Travelling can be very tiring. If you can manage it, it is amazing how much better you feel the next day after a little exercise.

Get a global health insurance card (GHIC) from the NHS but also ensure you have purchased adequate travel insurance. Shop around for medical travel insurance and get quotes from a few companies in advance. This year we paid less than half of what we spent last year by shopping around.

Take a blood pressure machine and check your blood pressure regularly. I’ve found many lightweight travel options.

Plan your day of meals in advance. Research restaurants ahead of time so you adjust other meals accordingly and can have a 'treat' at your favourite meal time.

Read up about the most kidney-friendly menu options when eating out. Ask for sauces on the side, if possible. On flights, order low salt meals if there is food available.

Take a metal or insulated water bottle with you. You can take it through airport security and keep filling up for free from water fountain areas in the airport.

Try to book accommodation with a small kitchen so you can at least cook a few simple, kidney-friendly dinners or prep kidney-friendly lunches.

Freezer storage bags are great for putting ice in to keep food or drinks cold.

Always carry additional medicine for the trip, in case of delays or issues returning home.

Get a letter from your renal consultant stating what medication you’re taking and why you take it. This can help with security and customs passport control as you may have your hand luggage checked.

Keep your medication in your hand luggage if you are flying. That way, if your checked baggage is lost you won't need to panic.

Speak to special assistance for your airline before you travel, especially if you’re taking injectable medications. They can provide a letter for you to take with you on the day. Also, ask your renal consultant or dialysis nurse to provide a letter with details of your medication in case you’re stopped at the airport.

If you are flying, you can often take extra bags to carry medical equipment. Speak to your airline and request an extra baggage allowance for medication.

Keep your medication in its original packaging, with labels, and purchase medication baggage labels for your baggage. Bring a pharmacy-issued prescription list or travel medical list.

Carry your latest medical report with details of your illness(es), diagnosis, treatment plan, recent lab results and emergency contact details.

Keep an emergency card in your wallet or purse with key information such as your name, CKD stage, allergies, doctor’s contact details and emergency contact details.

Check the rules for carrying medication across borders and set alarms for time zone changes so you don’t miss doses of medication.

If you’re dialysing away from base, make sure everything is arranged in advance and that you know how to get to the local haemodialysis unit. Give yourself plenty of time the first visit.

Take all your peritoneal dialysis (PD) equipment with you, including liquid bags, dressings, wipes, gel, hand-wash and everything else you use at home for dialysis.

Ground floor accommodation is better in my experience. You don’t want to be carrying all your dialysis kit upstairs if you don't have to.

Arrange to have your peritoneal dialysis equipment pre-delivered to your holiday address and discuss assistance with shipping costs with your dialysis unit. Make sure you give them plenty of notice.

Take manual PD supplies for short trips. Ten days’ worth of fluid can fit in a small car fitted with a roof box. Take spare liquid bags in case of delays.

Take hot water bottles to warm the fluids, and gloves and masks to reduce the risk of infection to your exit site. A couple of wire coat hangers can be used to hang bags of fluids.

Pack an extension cable so that you can place your PD machine wherever you want in your room.

Check how to contact the local health system wherever you are. Check for the nearest hospitals, doctors surgeries, kidney units and pharmacies.

If you can, learn some phrases in the local language when travelling abroad, such as: 'I have kidney disease', 'I don’t feel well', 'Where is the nearest doctor / hospital / pharmacy', 'Please tell the chef not to cook my meal with added salt'.

Be aware of where the nearest toilets are when you are out and about.

Stay safe in the sun if you are a transplant recipient. Wear a broad-brimmed hat during the day.

Make sure you are aware of the risk of malaria and any other diseases which could affect your kidneys or cause infections.

Don’t be afraid to go on holiday. Be brave and go, there's lots to see.

I travel all over the country and have enjoyed many years of holidays. You can have a good life on dialysis.

Don’t just sit back and think I’m poorly. Get motivated and do things you want to do. Doing things at a slower pace it doesn’t matter, the fact is you’ve done it and not regretted not doing it.

Enjoy taking in new surroundings and people rather than being at home all the time. With careful planning and forward thinking a holiday is a fantastic experience and reminds you that there is a life other than just being on dialysis.

Last updated 18 September 2025