Travel tips for a smooth summer holiday

School’s been out for summer for a couple of weeks now, and you might be thinking about a summer holiday with your family, travelling around with friends or even just a quick get-away.

Epilepsy can make travel plans tricky and stressful, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to go. We asked you over on Facebook and Instagram for your tips and tricks for going away with epilepsy, and you didn’t disappoint.

Here are some key tips from the lived experiences of the community.

Before you go

• Avoid booking very early or very late flights where possible, as lack of sleep can be a seizure trigger for many people. You can bring ear plugs, an eye mask or music to help you relax and sleep on longer or overnight flights.
• You can ask the airline for priority boarding when you book – they may request proof.
• Look for travel insurance which covers epilepsy and read the small print about different activities if you’re doing anything like skiing or hiking.
• Pack medications in your hand luggage, in case any checked bags get lost. You could split them up between different bags and bring extras to make sure you always have access to them and don’t get caught short.
• If you take controlled medications, like diazepam, pregabalin or cannabidiol, check the embassy rules for the country you are thinking of visiting.
• Bring a copy of your prescription, which you can get from your GP, or a letter from your GP stating what medications you are prescribed.

On your way

• It’s a good idea to inform the cabin crew of your condition and how they can help you if you have a seizure.
• Consider wearing a medical ID bracelet, a sunflower lanyard or carrying a hidden disability card when travelling, or adding emergency information to your phone’s lock screen.
• If your medication needs to be stored in the fridge, you can ask the cabin crew to store it in the fridge on the plane.

When you’re there

• Make sure you store your medication correctly when you’re away. If it needs to be in the fridge, use your room or accommodation fridge, or ask hotel staff for help.
• Use alarms to make sure you take your medication at the right time each day, especially if you travel to different time zones.
• You can use the NHS App to access your medical record abroad if you need to.
• Take care in hot climates if heat is a trigger for you. Drink plenty of water, stay out of the sun between 1-4pm and use hats and cooling towels to avoid overheating.

There is more information on travelling with epilepsy on the Epilepsy Action website.