Should you take your CPAP on vacation?
In the vast majority of cases, yes. Many patients feel the effect of a single night without CPAP very quickly: fatigue, sleepiness, irritability. Exactly what you want to avoid on a trip.
There is an administrative reason too: in Belgium, the NIHDI (INAMI/RIZIV) CPAP convention requires at least 4 hours of use a night on average. A week without CPAP pulls that average down.
→ More about the NIHDI CPAP conventionBefore you leave: 5 things to have with you
Keep them on your phone and on paper:
Treatment pressure (or the pressure range of your auto-CPAP)
Mask type, model and size
Contact details of your CPAP provider and sleep center
Insurance: policy number and contact
Your GP's contact details
Tip: a "CPAP" note on your phone is enough. If you are stopped at security or something goes wrong, it saves precious time.
Flying with CPAP
Carry-on or checked? Always carry it on
A CPAP is a fragile medical device. In checked baggage it can be knocked around, lost or broken. Keep it with you in the cabin, in its travel bag.
Does the CPAP count toward your baggage allowance?
It depends on the airline. Many accept it on top of your carry-on, as a medical device. Check their "medical device / CPAP" policy before you fly.
Is a medical certificate required?
Not always, but strongly recommended. A letter from your doctor or sleep center confirming that you need the treatment makes boarding, customs and security checks much easier. Ideally, include the device's serial number.
Using your CPAP during the flight
It is possible, especially on long-haul flights, but it takes some planning:
- Ask the airline for permission 1 to 2 weeks before you fly, and keep their written reply
- Check whether there is a power outlet on board, which type, and which adapter you need
- Bring a compatible battery if you can: in-seat power is not always available or stable
Lithium batteries: cabin only
Spare lithium batteries travel in the cabin, never in checked baggage. Above 100 Wh (the capacity is printed on the battery), you need the airline's approval. Check before you book.
Humidifier on a plane: never any water
With turbulence, water can spill into the device and damage it for good. Before you travel, empty the tank completely, or swap the humidifier for its travel cap, depending on the model.
Airplane mode and CPAP data
In airplane mode, the wireless connection is turned off: your data is no longer sent to your care team. If you will be away for a long time, let your CPAP provider know.
Airport security: X-rays and inspection
You will often be asked to take the device out and put it in a separate tray, like a laptop. X-rays do not damage it.
Hygiene tip: bring a large clear bag to put the device in the tray, and keep your medical letter handy.
Traveling abroad: plugs and adapters
Most recent CPAP machines accept any voltage (100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz): check the label on the power supply. But plug shapes change from country to country, so an adapter is essential.
North America
Type A/B plugs, 110 to 120 V. Your CPAP will work if its power supply accepts that voltage.
United Kingdom
Type G plug, 230 V, 50 Hz. A 3-pin adapter is essential.
Asia, Africa, Oceania
Plug types vary widely. Check country by country, and pack a universal adapter.
Hotel tip: pack an extension cord and a small power strip. Outlets are often far from the bed, and without a power strip you end up choosing between the bedside lamp and your CPAP.
Camping, vans, trains: powering your CPAP
External CPAP battery
There are CPAP-compatible batteries that let you do without a power outlet: camping, vans, mountain huts, power outages. How long they last depends mainly on four things:
Without humidification
Much longer battery life
With the humidifier
Much shorter battery life
With heated tubing
Shorter still
High pressure
Higher power use
12 V / 24 V: cars, motorhomes, boats
With the right converter, you can run your CPAP from a vehicle or motorhome battery. Check that it is compatible with your model.
Starter battery: not recommended. A car battery is not designed to be fully discharged: you may not be able to start the engine. Use a deep-cycle (leisure) battery or a dedicated CPAP battery.
If you use oxygen with your CPAP: running on battery can be a problem in some setups. Ask your specialist before heading somewhere remote.
CPAP batteries and chargers
Batteries and converters compatible with the main brands.
Conflict of interest: the author of this site runs VivaRespire, which helps fund this site.
High altitude
At altitude, air pressure drops. Many recent machines compensate automatically, while others need a manual adjustment. Before a stay in the mountains, ask your CPAP provider or sleep center about your model.
Water and hygiene on the road
What water for the humidifier?
Distilled or demineralized water if possible. Otherwise, low-mineral bottled water, especially where the tap water is questionable.
Keep your routine
Keep your usual cleaning routine. In hot or humid countries, be more careful: bacteria and mold grow faster there. Let the mask, tubing and headgear dry fully before packing them away.
Handy: a few mask wipes let you clean the mask quickly, even without running water. A must on business trips.
Checklist before you leave
Documents
- Medical letter stating that you need the treatment (serial number recommended)
- Settings and pressure written down, mask type and size
- Contact details of your CPAP provider, sleep center and doctor
- Insurance: policy number and contact
- Written approval from the airline (if using it in flight)
Power
- Plug adapter for your destination
- Extension cord (often essential in hotels)
- Compact power strip
- Compatible CPAP battery (camping, vans, power outages)
Parts and supplies
- Spare mask and cushion (long stays)
- Spare filters (dusty areas)
- Mask wipes
- Clear bag for the security tray
Need supplies for your trip?
Available at VivaRespire. Conflict of interest: the author of this site runs VivaRespire, which helps fund this site.
Should you buy a travel CPAP?
It is not necessary. Your usual CPAP travels very well: it is built to be carried around. A travel CPAP becomes worthwhile if you travel often: more compact, lighter, and sometimes easier to run on battery.
Frequently asked questions
Does my CPAP count as a carry-on on a plane?
It must travel in the cabin, never in checked baggage. Whether it counts toward your allowance depends on the airline: many accept it on top of your carry-on, as a medical device. Check before you fly.
Do I need to take my CPAP out at airport security?
Often, yes, like a laptop. X-rays do not damage the device. A clear bag and a medical letter make it easier.
What water should I use in the humidifier when traveling?
Distilled or demineralized water if possible, otherwise low-mineral bottled water, especially if the tap water is questionable. Always empty the tank before you fly.
Does my CPAP work at high altitude?
Generally yes: many recent machines compensate automatically for the drop in air pressure, while others need a manual adjustment. Before a stay at altitude, ask your CPAP provider.
How can I power my CPAP when camping or in a van?
With an external CPAP battery or a 12 V / 24 V converter compatible with your model. Avoid the vehicle's starter battery: use a deep-cycle battery instead. Battery life is much longer without the humidifier.
A question before you go?
Your CPAP provider or sleep center can help you prepare: settings, documents, spare parts suited to your situation.
