Yes, You Can Travel With Chronic Illness – Here’s How I Prep for a Trip

Let’s be honest, planning a trip when you have a chronic illness takes more thought and care than it might for other people. It’s not just about booking flights and picking cute outfits, it’s about working around your body, your meds, your energy, your mobility, and your budget. But it’s absolutely possible, and it can be incredible.

I’ve travelled to all sorts of places, from France to Fiji, and South Africa to Cambodia. Some trips were slow and restful, others were full of adventure. What they all had in common was that I planned them in a way that worked for my body and my needs. Having a chronic illness doesn’t mean giving up on holidays or big experiences. It just means being smart, prepared, and kind to yourself throughout the process. And yes, it can still be fun, exciting, and deeply fulfilling.

Here’s how I make travel possible (and even fun!), without pretending my chronic illness takes a holiday too.

1. I Get Really Honest With Myself First

Before I even open a travel website or talk about plans, I sit down and have a very real check-in with myself. It’s not always easy because sometimes I want to be further along in my health than I actually am. But ignoring reality doesn’t help anyone, especially me (or my travel buddies). I look at where my health is right now. Am I feeling relatively stable, or have there been flare-ups lately? What’s my stamina like on an average day, not just my best day? Can I manage things like stairs, big crowds, unfamiliar foods, or changing climates? I also consider the recovery time I’ll need. If a trip will push me to my limits, will I be able to rest before and after, or will I crash hard in the middle of it? Being brutally honest about these things helps me plan a trip that won’t leave me regretting it halfway through.

2. I Pick Destinations Based on Health Realities, Not FOMO

Choosing where to go isn’t just about what’s popular or what’s trending on Instagram. For me, it’s about finding a place that supports my health needs. That means looking for locations with easy access to medical care, ideally with English-speaking professionals, and a stable, predictable climate. I also check that there are food options that suit my dietary needs, and I want transport to be easy — lifts, taxis, accessible train stations. I don’t want to spend my energy navigating systems that aren’t built for people like me. Most importantly, I avoid places that require a lot of unpredictable walking or long periods without toilet access. I’ve learned the hard way that pushing through discomfort or pretending I’ll be fine doesn’t make for a good time.

3. I Travel With my Meds and Written Evidence

My travel health kit is a bit like a safety net, if something goes wrong, I know I’m covered. It includes more than just my regular medications. I always pack printed copies of my scripts, using the generic names in case I need to source them locally. I also bring a typed summary of my medical history and current treatment plan. If I’m travelling somewhere non-English-speaking, I translate this summary. You can ask your GP to write it in plain English, and then use a reputable translation service — options include medical translators, NAATI-accredited providers, or sometimes even pharmacies that offer this service (but I haven't personally used these). Online tools like Google Translate or ChatGPT can help in a pinch, but they’re not perfect, especially when accuracy really matters.

Then there are the practical extras — snacks that won’t upset my stomach, electrolyte sachets, spare medications in case of delays, and a signed letter from my GP or specialist. This is particularly important if I’m travelling with prescription pain relief or any controlled substances. And yes, all of it goes in my carry-on bag. Because if my checked luggage goes missing, I need to know I’ve still got everything essential with me.

Before I travel overseas, I always check whether the medications I’m taking are allowed in the country I’m visiting. Some medicines that are prescription or even over-the-counter in Australia are tightly restricted elsewhere, and carrying them without the proper paperwork can cause major issues at the border. The best place to start is the destination country’s embassy or consulate website. I also check Smartraveller for any relevant warnings or updates.

To stay on the safe side, I carry an official record of all my prescriptions. Sometimes this comes from my doctor, but more often I ask my pharmacist to print out a full medication history summary that clearly lists all the active ingredients, dosages, and instructions. This makes it easy to show border officials or overseas doctors that I’m using these medications legally and appropriately. If I need to declare anything on arrival, I’m ready, no panic, no drama, just calm, well-organised planning that keeps things smooth.

4. I Book Accommodation That Works for My Body

I’ve learned to be picky when it comes to where I stay, and I make no apologies for it. A hotel might look beautiful in the photos, but if it has 12 stairs to the entrance and no lift, it’s a no from me. I look for a quiet location, ideally away from clubs, bars, or main roads, but right on a bus or train line and close to the action. I also try to find accommodation with a small gym or basic fitness room. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just a space where I can keep up some strength training, stretching, or a walk on the treadmill if I’m not feeling up to exploring. Staying active, even gently, helps me manage my energy more consistently throughout the trip, and get over jetlag.

5. I Plan Recovery Days

This one’s huge. The travel day/s itself — whether it’s flying, driving, or catching public transport — takes more out of me than the average person. There’s the physical toll, the waiting around, the stress of delays, and just the energy required to be switched on in unfamiliar spaces. That’s why I build in rest time like it’s part of the itinerary. I don’t plan any major activities for the day I arrive. I give myself permission to lie on the hotel bed and order room service if that’s what I need. I also leave a buffer day at the end of the trip before I go back to work or re-enter “normal” life. If I’m travelling for fun, I want to remember it as enjoyable — not as something I had to recover from for weeks afterwards.

6. I Don’t Travel Without Insurance That Covers My Condition

Health insurance for travel isn’t optional when you live with a chronic illness, it’s absolutely essential. I never just click “add insurance” at the checkout stage when booking a flight. Instead, I start by doing some research on which insurers will actually cover my specific chronic condition. Not all travel insurers are created equal, and some are better than others when it comes to pre-existing conditions. If I’m not sure where to start, I head to chat groups or online communities for people with my condition, they’re often full of practical recommendations and real experiences. Once I’ve got a few names, I dig into the fine print, or better yet, call the insurer and ask direct questions. I want to know if all my medications and treatments are included, whether I’d be covered if I ended up in hospital overseas, and whether emergency evacuation is part of the policy. Even if the policy costs more, I make sure I’m fully covered before I book anything. Peace of mind is worth it. And once I have the green light, I get it in writing. It might feel like extra admin, but it saves me from the financial stress and emotional chaos that could come from being unprepared in another country. (I've never had to use it yet).

7. I Protect My Energy Like It’s Currency

When you live with a chronic illness, energy is a limited resource — and on holidays, it disappears even faster than usual. It’s tempting to want to do all the things, especially if you’ve saved up for this trip or if it’s somewhere you’ve always wanted to go. But I’ve learned that saying yes to everything often means saying no to my health. So I’ve become intentional with how I spend my energy. I schedule in rest days just like I’d schedule a tour or activity. I give myself full permission to say, “I’m going to skip this one,” without feeling like I’m letting anyone down. And I focus on quality over quantity, one beautiful slow moment means more to me than ticking ten attractions off a list. Travel isn’t about cramming it all in. It’s about feeling good while you’re doing it.

The Bottom Line

You don’t have to wait for your body to be perfect to book a trip. You just need the right prep, the right mindset, and the confidence to do it your way, even if that means it costs more.

Travelling with chronic illness often is more expensive. Higher insurance premiums, accessible accommodation, and needing to stay closer to key attractions or transport hubs can push up hotel rates. You might also rely more on taxis or ride shares if walking long distances or navigating confusing public transport isn’t realistic. Packing extra medical supplies, special snacks, or assistive equipment can mean bigger luggage, and possibly baggage fees too. And if you need to fly at certain times of day to manage fatigue or pain, those flights are often the pricier ones.

But none of that makes you difficult, lazy, or high maintenance. You’re being thoughtful, prepared, and proactive, and you deserve to enjoy travel just as much as anyone else. So no, you’re not being dramatic for packing electrolyte powder, checking in a bag of extra gear, or needing to rest every afternoon.

You’re just someone who deserves a full life, and yes, you absolutely can travel with chronic illness.

P.S.

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