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Last reviewed: June 2022
Next review date: June 2025
If you want to travel, having Crohn’s or Colitis should not stop you. Many people with Crohn’s and Colitis travel, both in the UK and overseas. But there are lots of things to think about. We know it can seem daunting – but if you plan ahead, you can help your trip go as smoothly as possible.
This information is for people who are planning to travel with Crohn’s or Colitis. It includes information for people who have a stoma.
We need your help to improve our information to better support people with Crohn’s and Colitis. Fill in our short survey to let us know what we're doing well and how we can better meet your needs.
Planning ahead can help your trip go more smoothly. Here are some suggestions that might help:
If you can, try to plan your trip at least 6 to 8 weeks before you go. This gives you time to get health advice, order medicines and arrange any vaccinations you might need.
You may wish to tell your IBD team during a routine appointment if you’re planning to travel, especially if you are going overseas. They can give you advice about managing your Crohn’s or Colitis while you are away, and make sure you have enough medicines. For information about vaccinations and insurance, talk to your GP or a private travel clinic.
Even if you’re not planning a trip just yet, you could tell your IBD team if you want to travel to high-risk areas in the future. There are some vaccinations they might recommend having before you start certain medicines for Crohn’s or Colitis.
You might already know exactly where you’re going. But if you haven’t decided yet, here are some things you might want to think about.
You are more likely to stay well on your trip if your Crohn’s or Colitis has been under control for at least 3 months. We know Crohn’s and Colitis are unpredictable. You do not know when you might have a flare-up. But you might prefer to wait until your Crohn’s or Colitis is in remission before planning to travel.
If you can, try to plan your trip so you will not need any routine blood tests while you’re away. If this is not possible, you might be able to bring your tests forward so you’re up-to-date before you go.
Some people find their Crohn’s or Colitis get worse at certain times of year or during particular types of weather. If this is the case for you, check what the weather is like where you’re travelling at the time of year you’re planning to go.
Try to plan your trip to allow plenty of time to have any vaccinations you need.
If you are travelling to another country, you might need to have vaccinations before you go. The vaccinations you’ll need depend on where you are going. To find out, you can ask your GP or private travel clinic, or check the TravelHealthPro website or the FitforTravel website.
For some vaccinations, you need more than one dose. Some take a while to work fully. It’s good idea to check what you need at least 6 to 8 weeks before you travel to make sure you have time to have them.
When you book your vaccinations, tell the clinic staff you have Crohn’s or Colitis, and what medicines you are taking. This might affect what vaccinations you can have. Non-live vaccines are suitable for people with Crohn’s or Colitis. But if you are taking medicine that weakens your immune system, they might not work as well as they do in other people. Live vaccines might not be suitable for you if you’re on medicines that weaken your immune system. Live vaccines are made from weakened versions of bacteria or viruses. If your immune system is lowered, live vaccines could cause serious infections.
Talk to your GP, vaccination specialist or IBD team about what vaccinations you can have safely if you are on, or have recently had:
Live vaccinations that you might need to have before travelling include:
If you’ve already been vaccinated against yellow fever, check your vaccine certificate. The details must match the details on your passport. If you have changed your name or gender, you will need to get a new certificate.
If you have not already been vaccinated against yellow fever and you cannot have the live vaccine, your doctor might advise you to avoid travelling to places where yellow fever is common. If you do choose to go, ask your doctor for a medical exemption letter. Some countries might accept this instead of proof of vaccination. But some countries might not, and they could refuse to let you in. If you are not vaccinated and you travel to a place where yellow fever is common, you are at risk of catching it.
You should wait 3 to 4 weeks after a live vaccine before starting treatment that lowers your immune system.
Malaria is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes. Having Crohn’s or Colitis does not seem to increase your risk of getting it. But if you are travelling to an area where malaria is common, your doctor or travel clinic will recommend that you take anti-malarial tablets.
There are lots of different anti-malarial tablets. Some of them might interact with some medicines for Crohn’s and Colitis. Your doctor or travel clinic can recommend anti-malarial tablets that are suitable for you. You have to start most anti-malarial tablets a few days or weeks before you travel. You carry on taking them for up to 4 weeks after you get back.
If you are travelling outside the UK, it is important to get travel insurance that covers you for Crohn’s or Colitis. To do this, you need to declare that you have Crohn’s or Colitis when you get your quote. Even if you are staying in the UK, it’s a good idea to consider insurance in case you have to cancel your holiday.
If you are travelling in Europe, you can get a free health insurance card. This lets you access state healthcare in Switzerland or European Union countries free or at a discount.
EHIC and GHIC cards let you access certain healthcare in the country you are visiting. They do not cover other costs such as emergency travel if you need to be transported back to the UK. They are not a substitute for travel insurance. It’s a good idea to have both to be fully covered.
Travel insurance might cost more if you have Crohn’s or Colitis. But it’s important to declare that you have it, even if it’s been under control for a long time. Otherwise, your policy might not cover emergency medical costs.
When you declare you have a medical condition, you need to answer questions about it. This helps the insurance company work out how likely you are to make a claim, which affects how much they charge for your policy. The cost is based on your medical conditions, but also your age, where you’re going, and how long you’re travelling for.
It can be worthwhile to shop around to find out what cover is available. Prices can vary a lot between insurance companies. If you already have an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy, you could check if it covers your Crohn’s or Colitis. If not, you might be able to pay extra to extend the cover.
Some insurance companies might ask you for a letter from your doctor confirming that you’re fit to travel. Your doctor might charge you for this letter.
If you choose to travel without insurance, or your policy excludes Crohn’s and Colitis, you might have to pay a lot if you need medical care. Healthcare in some countries can be very expensive.
If you need to claim on your travel insurance, you’ll need to have receipts for everything. This includes things like taxi fares to the hospital.
Try to take enough medicines for your whole trip, plus extra in case of delays. This includes any over-the-counter medicines you usually take. Some places have restrictions on what medicines you’re allowed to bring into the country. Check with the embassy of the country you’re visiting before you travel.
If you are travelling across different time zones, it can be difficult to work out when to take your medicines. You could carry on taking them based on the time it is in the UK. Or you could gradually adjust the time you take them to suit the time zone you are in. You might find it helpful to set an alarm to remind you when to take your dose. If you’re not sure when to take them, ask your IBD team or pharmacist for advice.
Taking medicines overseas
Biologic medicines need to be stored in the fridge. It is OK to keep them at room temperature for short periods, but the exact length of time depends on which biologic you are taking. You can find out how long your medicine will last out of the fridge in the patient information leaflet or on the electronic medicines compendium. Do not put them back in the fridge if they’ve reached room temperature. If your medicine needs to be kept cold while you’re travelling, you could use a cool bag or a cooling wallet. You can buy these online or from pharmacies.
If you are flying, you are allowed to take needles, syringes or injectable pens in your hand luggage. You will need a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor. It’s a good idea to tell your airline in advance in case they have any additional restrictions. They might take your medicines and equipment to store them safely in the cabin during the flight. Checked-in luggage goes in the aeroplane hold, which can reach very low temperatures. Some medicines could freeze.
You might need to buy a travel-sized sharps bin.
You may wish to talk to your dietitian if you are planning to travel when you are on a liquid diet. They can advise you on what you need to do and help make sure you have the supplies you need. Try to take enough for your whole trip if you can. Powdered products are easier to carry and take up less space in your luggage. Make sure the water you use to mix them is safe to drink.
If you are flying with ready-mixed liquid foods, you are allowed to take these in your hand luggage. You will need a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor. It’s a good idea to tell your airline in advance, especially if the amount you need will take you over the usual hand luggage allowance. You might have to go through extra security checks.
Having a stoma should not stop you travelling, but it takes a bit more planning. You might want to talk to your stoma nurse about it. They can advise you on the most suitable products based on what you plan to do while you’re away. You might need a change in your prescription.
Make sure you order plenty of stoma supplies before you go. You are likely to need more than usual, especially if you’re going somewhere hot or eating different foods. If you’re planning to be away for a long time, you could check if your supply company deliver where you’re going.
If you’re flying, it’s sensible to pack your stoma supplies in your hand luggage if you can, in case your checked-in bags go missing. If you tell your airline in advance, they might be able to increase your luggage allowance. You will not be able to take scissors in your hand luggage. If you need to cut your bags or flanges to fit, do this before you travel.
It’s helpful to have a certificate or a letter from your doctor explaining that you have a stoma, and the supplies you need to carry with you. You can show this at airport security. Colostomy UK have a template you can use (PDF). This needs to be signed and stamped by your GP surgery. You might have to pay for this.
The change in air pressure when you fly can make any gas in your body expand. This can lead to tummy pain, or cause more wind in your bag than usual. It might help to avoid fizzy drinks before you fly.
While you’re away, you can empty your bags into the toilet, put them in a disposal bag and throw them away in an ordinary bin.
For more information:
Long-term travelling with Crohn’s and Colitis can be challenging, but it is possible with careful planning.
If you’re travelling outside the UK, your doctor should be able to prescribe enough medicines to last up to 3 months, if they think this is safe. If you are travelling for longer, you will need to arrange to get more supplies. Ask your IBD team for advice. You may be able to get a prescription from a local doctor. Or you may be able to get a private prescription from your usual doctor and get your extra supplies from a UK pharmacy before you travel. This will not be covered on the NHS.
If you’re going to need blood tests or an infusion while you are away, talk to your IBD team. They might be able to refer you to a hospital or health centre at your destination. Contact the centre in advance to find out what you need to do. You might have to pay for tests or treatment outside the UK.
IBD Passport has more information on accessing healthcare abroad.
As well as medicines and stoma supplies, there are extra things you might need to pack if you’re travelling with Crohn’s or Colitis.
If you have them, it’s a good idea to take:
It might also be helpful to take a summary explaining your medical needs. You could take a list of key words or phrases about Crohn’s or Colitis in the local language. Our All About Crohn’s and Colitis information is available to download in six different languages.
Some people pack an emergency kit containing things they might need if they have an accident. This could include:
However you decide to travel, there are extra things to think about when you’re living with Crohn’s or Colitis.
People living with Crohn’s or Colitis have a higher risk of getting blood clots than other people. Blood clots are more likely to develop when you sit still for a long time – like on long-haul flights or long rail or road journeys. Your risk is higher if you have had surgery recently.
To help prevent blood clots when you’re travelling, you could:
See a doctor or go to your nearest emergency department if you get a painful, swollen leg or breathing difficulties after a long journey.
If you’ve had surgery recently, your surgical team can advise you on how long you should wait before it is safe to drive. This depends on several things, like:
You should also check with your car insurance company to make sure you are covered to drive after surgery. If you are travelling as a passenger after surgery, it’s sensible to make sure you can move around easily and sit comfortably before going on a trip.
Some people with Crohn’s or Colitis might be able to get a Blue Badge if they get certain benefits or find it hard to walk from their car to where they’re going. Blue Badges let you park closer to where you’re going, often free or at a reduced cost. You can apply for a Blue Badge online or through your local council. You might find it helpful to use Crohn’s & Colitis UK’s letter of support for applications.
If you have a Blue Badge, you can check online to find out where you can park in the UK. You can also use it in many European countries. The government has a list of European countries where you can use your Blue Badge. Some countries outside Europe also recognise the Blue Badge scheme. The FIA Foundation and BlueBadgeParking.com have information on parking in different countries.
If you’re travelling by road, you might want to check what toilet facilities there are on your route. The Great British Toilet map is a searchable website of public toilets in the UK. There are also lots of mobile apps that help you find accessible toilets. Some of these are worldwide and others cover particular countries. Search “toilet finder” in your app store to find an app that suits you.
Some accessible public toilets are kept locked. You need a Radar key to open these. Crohn’s & Colitis UK members can request a Radar key as part of their membership package. You can also buy keys from The Radar Key Company. These keys work in the UK. Some other countries have a similar scheme. You can buy keys for these from the Radar Key Company too.
Some people take a travel potty on long car journeys, just in case.
If you’re travelling by bus or coach, you could contact the company to check if there is a toilet on board. You may want to find out if you can book an aisle seat close to it.
If you need it, you can get extra support when you’re travelling by rail, such as help carrying your luggage or getting on and off the train. You can ask for this when you arrive at the station, but it is a good idea to request it in advance. You can do this using National Rail’s Passenger Assist service. For train journeys within the UK, you should request support at least 2 hours before you travel. For international train journeys, you should request support at least 48 hours before you travel.
You can check if your train has toilets on board using National Rail’s facility checker. If you can, pre-book an aisle seat near the toilets. You can also check what facilities are available at the station.
If you receive disability benefits, such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP), you might be eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard. This gives you money off rail travel in the UK.
If you’re flying, you could contact your airline, tour operator or travel agent to find out what support they can offer. You might be able to pre-book a seat near a toilet, or increase your luggage allowance if you need to take lots of bulky medicines or equipment. Let them know what support you need before you travel. They might need a letter from your GP or IBD team, so allow enough time for this. Tell your airline if you have any specific dietary needs.
Many airports offer sunflower lanyards to show that you have an invisible disability. You can usually get these from your airport’s assistance point. These may allow you to access priority lanes if you are not able to queue.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends that you do not fly for 10 days after having abdominal surgery. This is to reduce your risk of complications. You are likely to need a ‘fit-to-fly’ certificate or medical information form from your doctor if you plan to fly sooner. You usually pay for this.
The change in air pressure when you fly can make any gas in your body expand. This can lead to tummy pain. It might help to stick to foods that do not usually upset you and avoid fizzy drinks before you fly.
Travelling can be exciting and rewarding, but it can also be tiring. Try to give yourself time to relax and rest if you need to. It’s just as important to look after yourself when you’re away as it is at home. Make sure you remember to take your medicines.
If you know certain foods make your symptoms worse, try to stick to things you usually eat at home. Some people worry about having an accident while they’re away. You could take a towel or disposable bed pad to put under you while you sleep, just in case.
You might find our information on Fatigue, Food and Living with Crohn’s or Colitis helpful.
Flare-ups are unpredictable. In some people, travelling to a different country, eating different food, being in a different climate or being at high altitude can trigger flare-ups. So it is best to be prepared. Before you go, consider asking your IBD team for a flare-up plan. Make sure you know what to do if you have a flare while you’re away. Your IBD team should be able to provide any medicines you might need.
If you need medical help, you could:
Anyone travelling overseas is at risk of getting traveller’s diarrhoea, especially in developing countries. Having Crohn’s or Colitis does not seem to make you more likely to get traveller’s diarrhoea. But if you do get it, it might be more severe or last longer than in other people.
There are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of getting traveller’s diarrhoea:
TravelHealthPro has more information on traveller’s diarrhoea and food and water hygiene for travellers.
Most cases of traveller’s diarrhoea get better within a few days. If you get traveller’s diarrhoea, here are some things that might help:
Depending on where you are travelling, your GP or IBD team might prescribe a course of antibiotics that you can start taking if you get traveller’s diarrhoea.
For more suggestions on how to cope with diarrhoea, see our information on Diarrhoea and constipation.
Get medical advice if:
If you’re in a hot country, you have diarrhoea or you’re exercising a lot, you’ll need to drink more than usual to avoid getting dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include thirst, a dry mouth, headaches, tiredness and dark-coloured wee. It’s important to drink plenty of non-alcoholic drinks. Try to avoid being very active in the hottest part of the day.
We have separate information on Dehydration.
Insects can spread infections, including malaria. Try to avoid being bitten if you can, especially if you are taking medicines that lower your immune system.
To help protect yourself from insect bites, you could:
If you need to use both sunscreen and insect repellent, put sunscreen on first.
TravelHealthPro has more information on avoiding insect bites.
Some medicines used to treat Crohn’s or Colitis can make your skin more sensitive to sun damage or might increase your risk of skin cancer. Everyone needs to protect themselves from the effects of the sun. But it is especially important if you are taking Crohn’s or Colitis medicines that lower your immune system.
You can protect your skin from the sun by:
TravelHealthPro has more information on sun protection.
We follow strict processes to make sure our information is based on up-to-date evidence and easy to understand.
Please email us at evidence@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk if:
You can also write to us at Crohn’s & Colitis UK, 1 Bishop Square, Hatfield, AL10 9NE, or contact us through our Helpline: 0300 222 5700
We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with these conditions. But you’re not alone. We provide up-to-date, evidence-based information and can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis.
Our helpline team can help by:
Providing information about Crohn’s and Colitis.
Listening and talking through your situation.
Helping you to find support from others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community.
Providing details of other specialist organisations.
Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.
Please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).
If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.
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