Having oxygen when you are travelling and on holiday
Before you arrange your travel plans or holiday there are several things you should do to help you prepare. Planning ahead will help things go smoothly so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday.
It is important to speak to your specialist nurse or doctor to make sure you are fit enough to travel. You should do this well in advance of your trip. This will give you enough time to make any necessary arrangements.
Oxygen supplies when you are travelling in the UK
Using the same type of oxygen supply you use at home when you travel in the UK
First, contact the place you are planning to stay to explain what your needs are. You will need permission for your oxygen equipment to be delivered there. It's a good idea to do this if you have any sort of medical needs to make sure that the accommodation you choose is suitable.
Provided you are asking for the same sort of oxygen supply you already use at home, you call your usual oxygen supplier. They will fill in all the necessary forms and send them to the local oxygen supplier where you are staying. The local supply company will then deliver the oxygen and install any equipment you need.
The oxygen supplier needs to know:
- where you are staying
- the start and end dates you need the oxygen
- the name and contact number of the person accepting the oxygen
There are several providers who supply oxygen. The time they need to organise and arrange a delivery can vary. But It also depends on where you are staying in the UK. Most companies will need at least 2 weeks notice. So it is a good idea to arrange things as soon as you know you are going to travel.
The oxygen supplier can deliver your oxygen free of charge if you are travelling within the UK. This applies whether you use cylinders or an oxygen concentrator. If you are using portable cylinders during your journey you should take enough for the journey there and back.
There are places where you may not be able to take liquid oxygen. Your supply company will explain more about this and what you need to do.
What happens if you need a different type of oxygen supply?
If you need a different type of oxygen supply when you are away, talk to your doctor or specialist nurse first. Your specialist doctor will need to order a new oxygen supply for you.
Once this has been completed your oxygen delivery will be arranged as above through your oxygen supplier.
Remember your oxygen is a medicine and the provider can only supply a different type of oxygen that is ordered by your GP or specialist doctor.
Oxygen supplies for travelling and holidays abroad
All UK oxygen providers do not allow you to take their equipment outside the UK.
Although suppliers aren’t required to provide a service outside the UK, they are usually very helpful and are able to advise you on what to do. Your specialist nurse can also offer advice.
You need to allow plenty of time to sort it all out. This includes permission from your holiday accommodation owner for the delivery and installation of the equipment. You will have to pay for the supply of oxygen when you travel abroad. These are usually available to buy or rent.
Before you arrange your holiday check with your specialist nurse or doctor and travel company if you need any specific documents. For example, you usually need to take a letter from your specialist saying that you are fit to travel.
Remember to take your Global or European Health Insurance Card and arrange travel insurance.
Getting to and from your holiday
You also need to think about the oxygen supply for your journey to and from your holiday destination.
If you regularly travel by car you may not need to make special arrangements. But it is important to make sure that you are fully prepared, especially for a long journey. If you don’t normally travel by car you should check with your oxygen supplier about what you need, including any specialist equipment.
Tips for travelling by car with oxygen:
- Do not smoke in the car.
- Keep your car well ventilated.
- Portable cylinders should be secured at all times preferably in the boot of the car.
- Take more oxygen than you need in case of unexpected delays.
- Don’t leave your oxygen in a hot car.
- It’s important to tell your car insurance company that you are carrying oxygen in the car.
Ferry companies and cruise liners vary in what they will help with. Contact them before you book to check exactly what they can do. Some may be able able to help with oxygen supply if they have enough notice.
They may be able to get you on and off the ferry first or have special parking places.
Some ferry companies may ask for a medical certificate signed by your doctor.
Plan your route in advance and contact the rail company you want to travel with. Let them know what you need and who will be travelling with you. They may be able to offer help with your journey. This can vary between train operating companies.
Some train companies may ask for a medical certificate signed by your doctor.
Travelling by plane is more complicated and airline companies vary in what they can provide. Try to organise this as much as you can in advance to give you plenty of time to prepare for your journey.
Many airlines have different rules for using oxygen in flight. Check with the airline beforehand. Some may provide oxygen for your flight for free, others may charge you a fee. Other airlines may allow you to take a portable oxygen concentrator, but you will need to buy or rent this beforehand. This is because you aren’t allowed to take the oxygen supplied by your UK providers with you to another country.
It is important to take more oxygen than you need in case there are unexpected delays.
You can contact the airline you want to travel with or look at the information on the airline’s website to check their policy on taking oxygen on the plane including any costs.
You may also need to ask them:
- what support is available at the airport
- who can help you with luggage and boarding the plane
- if they supply oxygen at the airport
The airline may also ask for a letter from your GP or hospital specialist with your medical information. This is to confirm you are fit to fly and that you need to have oxygen when you are on a flight. You might be charged a fee for this document and it usually only lasts for a certain period of time, such as 3 months.
The airline will need to know how much oxygen you usually have and whether you need it continuously or for short periods only. They will also want to know who will be travelling with you.
The Asthma + Lung UK website has helpful information on travelling with a lung condition including summaries of airline oxygen policies. This is a good starting point but do also check with the airline directly before you book. You can also contact your oxygen provider for advice on travelling by plane.
You can get more information about traveling abroad from the European Lung Foundation. They provide details of:
- airlines and their policies for traveling with oxygen
- oxygen providers in European countries
The company Oxygen Worldwide can also provide information about travelling abroad with oxygen.
Coming to the UK on holiday
If you are visiting the UK from overseas, you need to contact a local doctor or the oxygen supply company where you will be staying, to ask about arranging oxygen. They can tell you about any documents you need and the cost of supplying the oxygen.
