Tips for travelling with IBD

Going on holiday or travelling somewhere new can be really exciting.

But if you have IBD, you might have a few extra things to think about.

You might be wondering:

“What if I need the toilet on the plane?”

“What if I get sick while I'm away?”

“What if I forget my medicine?”

“What if the food is different?”

“What if I have a flare?”

Planning ahead can help you feel more confident — and make it easier to focus on having fun.

✈️ Plan before you go

Don't wait until the night before you leave.

Talk to your parent or carer and your IBD team about your trip.

Depending on where you're going and how long you'll be away, you might need to think about:

• Your medicines

• How you'll access medical care

• Toilets during the journey

• Food and drinks

• Travel insurance

• Vaccinations or travel health advice

• What you'll do if you become unwell

• How you'll manage your medicine while travelling

If you're travelling overseas, your healthcare team can help you work out what you need before you leave.

💊 Make a medicine plan

Your medicines are one of the most important things to organise before you travel.

Make sure you know:

• Which medicines you need

• When you need to take them

• How much you'll need for the trip

• Where they'll be stored

• What you'll do if you lose them

• What you'll do if you miss a dose

Don't put all your medication in your checked luggage when flying.

Ask your parent or carer and healthcare team about the best way to carry and store your medicines.

If you need to keep a medicine cold, make sure you know how to do that while travelling.

It's also a good idea to have your medicines in their original packaging and carry any documents your healthcare team recommends for travelling with them.

🎒 Pack an IBD travel kit

Having a small bag with the things you might need can make travelling much less stressful.

You could pack:

☐ Spare underwear

☐ Spare clothes

☐ Tissues or toilet paper

☐ Gentle wipes

☐ Waterproof bag for dirty clothes

☐ Water bottle

☐ Snacks you know you tolerate

☐ Your medicines

☐ Any other health supplies you normally need

Keep your essentials somewhere you can easily reach them.

You don't want to unpack your entire suitcase just to find a spare pair of underwear!

🚽 Know where the toilets are

If you're worried about needing the toilet urgently, knowing where the toilets are can make you feel much more relaxed.

Before travelling, think about where you'll find toilets:

• At the airport

• On the plane

• At train stations

• At rest stops

• At restaurants

• At attractions

• At your accommodation

If you're travelling by car, plan regular toilet stops.

And if you suddenly need to go, tell someone straight away.

You don't need to wait until you're desperate.

✈️ Flying with IBD

Flying can feel a little stressful if you have urgency or frequent bowel movements.

If you're worried, tell your parent or carer before you travel so you can make a plan together.

You might want to:

• Use the toilet before boarding

• Keep your IBD kit in your carry-on bag

• Keep your medicines with you as advised

• Know where the toilets are on the plane

• Wear comfortable clothes

• Bring something to distract yourself, such as headphones or a book

If you need to use the toilet during the flight, that's okay.

You don't need to feel embarrassed.

🚗 Road trips

Road trips can actually be easier when you have control over where you stop.

Before you leave, work out where some toilets are along the route.

Your family might use a map or travel app to find rest stops.

Keep your IBD kit somewhere you can reach easily rather than buried underneath everyone's luggage.

And if you need a toilet stop, say so.

You don't need to wait until the next planned stop if you urgently need to go.

🍎 What about food?

Travelling can mean eating different foods or eating at different times.

You don't necessarily need to avoid unfamiliar foods just because you have IBD.

But if you're worried about how you'll feel, bring a few familiar snacks that you know you tolerate.

You might also want to:

• Check what food will be available

• Let your accommodation know about dietary needs

• Bring safe or familiar options

• Keep snacks with you during long journeys

• Drink regularly

Remember, there isn't one food that causes IBD.

If you're unsure about food while travelling, ask your parent, dietitian or IBD team for advice.

💧 Keep drinking

Travelling can make it easy to forget to drink.

Air travel, hot weather, exercise and diarrhoea can all increase your need for fluids.

Keep your water bottle with you where practical and drink regularly.

If your healthcare team has recommended oral rehydration fluids for you, make sure you know how to use them before you travel.

🏖️ What if I'm travelling somewhere hot?

Hot weather can make you lose more fluid through sweating.

If you're somewhere hot:

• Drink regularly

• Take breaks in the shade

• Wear a hat

• Use sunscreen

• Don't push yourself if you're feeling unwell

If you're having diarrhoea as well, you may need to be extra careful about staying hydrated.

Tell an adult if you're feeling dizzy, weak or unusually tired.

🩺 What if I have a flare while travelling?

This is one of the biggest worries for people with IBD.

But having a plan can make it much less scary.

Before you leave, make sure you know:

Who will we contact?

Where is the nearest medical centre or hospital?

What does my IBD team want me to do if my symptoms get worse?

What symptoms mean I need urgent help?

You might also want to have your IBD team's contact details with you.

If you start having symptoms, tell your parent or carer early.

Don't try to hide it because you're worried about ruining the holiday.

🚩 When should I get medical help?

Tell an adult straight away if you become seriously unwell.

You may need urgent medical attention if you have:

• Severe or worsening tummy pain

• Significant bleeding

• Repeated vomiting

• Severe dehydration

• Fainting

• A high fever or feeling seriously unwell

If you're overseas, your parent or carer can help you access local medical care.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 What if I'm travelling without my parents?

As you get older, you might travel with:

• School

• Friends

• A sports team

• Another family

• A youth group

Before you go, make sure the adults responsible for you know enough about your IBD to keep you safe.

They should know:

• What medicines you take

• When you take them

• What your symptoms can look like

• Your toilet needs

• What to do if you become unwell

• Who to contact in an emergency

You don't need to explain your IBD to everyone in the group.

You just need the right adults to know.

🌍 Don't let IBD stop you exploring

It's understandable to worry about travelling when you have IBD.

But being prepared can give you more freedom — not less.

You can still:

🌴 Go on holidays

✈️ Fly to another country

🚗 Go on road trips

🏕️ Go camping

🏖️ Swim at the beach

🏙️ Explore new cities

🎢 Visit theme parks

⛰️ Go on adventures

You might need to plan around your IBD sometimes.

That's okay.

Planning ahead doesn't mean you can't be spontaneous.

It just means you have a backup plan if you need one.

💛 If you're nervous

It's okay to be nervous before travelling.

Try to focus on the things you can control.

You can pack your essentials.

You can know where the toilets are.

You can make a medicine plan.

You can tell someone if you feel unwell.

You can ask for help.

You don't have to know exactly what will happen every minute of the trip.

🎒 Your quick travel checklist

Before you leave, check:

☐ I have enough medication for my trip

☐ I know when to take my medication

☐ My medicines are packed safely

☐ I have my IBD travel kit

☐ I have spare underwear and clothes

☐ I have tissues/wipes

☐ I have snacks I tolerate

☐ I know where I can find toilets

☐ I have a water bottle

☐ My parent/carer knows what I need

☐ I know who to contact if I become unwell

☐ I know what to do if my symptoms get worse

🌟 Remember

Having IBD might mean you need to do a little more planning before you travel.

But planning isn't the same as missing out.

The more prepared you are, the more you can concentrate on the fun stuff.

See somewhere new.

Try something different.

Spend time with the people you love.

Make memories.

And if your IBD gets in the way sometimes, that's okay too.

IBD can come along for the journey — but it doesn't have to decide where you go. 💛