How to Travel With Your CPAP

Traveling can be stressful, but it’s even more complicated if you have sleep apnea. This guide contains some tips that have helped me while traveling as well as other practical tips you can use. Traveling with a CPAP machine doesn’t have to be a hassle.

Get a good CPAP case

Your sleep clinic or doctor may have provided a case for traveling with your CPAP when you first received your machine. If you didn’t get one, it’s a good idea to buy one.

My case has a compartment for my water tank, machine, the long hose, and another smaller compartment for the mask and power cables. I like this case as everything is self-contained and easy to organize. There’s a nice long shoulder strap, and it’s easy to attach a travel tag to the case for flights if needed. Check before you leave and make sure you have all the parts for your machine.

Using your CPAP on a plane

If you want to sleep on a plane, check the rules that apply to you. Most airlines should allow you to carry your CPAP machine onto the plane with you. Each company and country may be different, so make sure you plan ahead to ensure that you can use your machine on the aircraft. Smaller planes with shorter flights will probably want you to store the machine.

Use a travel CPAP

There are new products on the market designed for travel that eliminate the need for your full cumbersome machine. These are a lot smaller than a regular CPAP, plus they are waterless, which saves you a lot of hassles. I don’t currently own one but have heard good things about them. This could be the ideal solution for your travels.

Make sure your hotel room has an accessible plugin

Check with your hotel or motel to ensure that there’s a plugin available by the bed for your CPAP power cord. Some places have plugins that are behind the bed or hard to access. You don’t want to struggle with your CPAP machine after traveling for a long time.

Most major hotel chains should have ample plugins, but a smaller place may be limited. It’s a good idea to check to make sure before you stay there. Ask to switch to another room if you find the plugin situation doesn’t work when you arrive.

Make a plan to have enough distilled water

Only take as much distilled water as you need for the first night or 2. If you’re planning to stay for longer than a few days, buy your water at your travel destination. You’ll save yourself a lot of weight by getting the water when you arrive.

If you travel by plane, take a small bottle on board that will provide enough for the duration of your flight. If you don’t want to carry water, try the travel CPAP option.

Other travel suggestions

My other tips include making sure you have an extra filter in your travel case and carrying a plugin attachment if you travel overseas. You want your power cord to fit the wall sockets that have different plugin types than those used in North America. You may need a few different attachments if you’re traveling to multiple countries.

Traveling with a CPAP machine doesn’t have to be a stressful time. Follow these few simple tips, and your vacation will be a pleasant one. Have a great sleep and happy travels!