CPAP Travel Experiences?

My husband has used a CPAP for 20 years. We have never had an issue taking it as a third carry on either domestic or international flights. Sometimes he is asked about it when we go through TSA screening, but as the devices have become more prevalent no one asks any more. The most scrutiny he ever got was flying El Al in and out of Israel.

We've traveled on US domestic flights with my husband's CPAP a few times. It's not a hassle in terms of security screening and carry-on bins as the TSA and airline staff seem quite familiar with these machines. However, when we reached our destination quite often there was no convenient place to buy a gallon of distilled water, so he'd sleep without it for a night or two until we got the water. Then, of course, we had the extra weight of a jug of water to lug around -- OK with a rental car, but definitely a drag with public transportation.

We're hoping to go to Italy next year and use public transportation exclusively. Because the weight of our luggage will be an important factor, I'm pretty sure we will leave the CPAP at home.

FWIW, my husband's sleep doctor has told us the SoClean and the bag systems are both unnecessary, so we've never bought one. The doctor also said, "it's up to you whether to travel without it, just don't get mad at me if you don't get a good night's sleep on your trip."

Also can't comment on a mini-travel CPAP; perhaps others on this forum have used one.

Never travel without mine, it makes a huge difference in my day.
I do not need the humidifier part, so it packs smaller and I just put it in my carryon (I also check a 22" bag). Security varies, sometimes they want to see and or swab it, sometimes it sails through.
I don't have a cleaning system, I haven't seen a need for one in a dozen years of CPAP use.

CPAP dude here.

I bought a HDM Z2 BIBAP for travel. It's about the size of a 1990's ergo-dynamic mouse, but it's a thousand percent more portable than my home CPAP. The only drawbacks to the HDM Z2 is that it's louder than my normal CPAP (bring earplugs) and can struggle with higher pressures after ramp-up is complete. Even with these minor niggles, I won't travel without it. I also bought a third-party battery (nb: make sure to carefully check that any battery you buy is FAA allowable, otherwise it ain't coming with you and that you will have to carry the battery on the plane with you -- it cannot be checked in) and it lasts about two days between charges.

For cleaning the mask, I bring mask-cleaning wipes (you can get these at any online sleep store) and a little bottle of concentrated dish soap. When I can, I use the dish soap since the soap is made to clean oil and grease, and if I need to I can fall back to the wipe. I don't worry about cleaning any other parts of the machine until I get back home.

Never had a problem at any airport, nor at CDG either.

-- Mike Beebe

My husband just packs his full-sized CPAP in his carry-on (we travel light), and uses bottled water if distilled water isn't readily available. He doesn't worry about cleaning it on our trips, since they're only about 2 1/2 weeks long.

My husband travels extensively with a mini-CPAP. He's never had an issue with it as an extra carry-on; it's a medical device. Only TSA in the US have taken an extra 5 second look at it. He's never had an issue in Europe. He doesn't use water when traveling. He does bring an extension chord. Especially in Europe, you never know how far the nearest outlet might be.

Ditto Estimated Prophet. Travelled all over with DH's machine either in separate bag or in carry on (he's even checked it once or twice, which I do NOT like but whachagonnado?). We pick up distilled water in pharmacies overseas - typically the bottles are a liter so nice not to lug around a gallon! Sometimes if we do check a bag I'll put some distilled water in a small water bottle in the luggage so we aren't figuring out where to buy water as soon as we land. He has used regular bottled or tap water sometimes with no bad effects. He doesn't worry much about cleaning it - he'll wash with plain water if it needs a refresh.

Never had a problem flying with a BiPap. If it needed cleaning, it is done with a vinegar solution. The only place I couldn’t find distilled water was in the UK. Often found it in laundry area of markets in Europe.

Thanks everybody! I would not use the humidifier feature if I took my CPAP with me, so finding & transporting water wouldn't be an issue. I hope I can remember how to turn it off! The travel ones do not have humidifiers, I believe (too small). I don't think the noise will be an issue - I usually sleep with a fan & a white noise generator (I would take that with me). I do like having a cleaning system (I have allergies & other issues, had my latest sinus surgery in Sept.) - with my luck NOT cleaning it regularly would lead to to some illness or other. But I think I can skip it for 2-3 weeks while travelling.

Just make sure the machine can handle 230 V.

MuchAdo,

I've only had my CPAP for a short time, so have only travelled domestically with it so far. I don't find it too much of a problem to just carry it in the small travel pouch that was supplied with the machine. I do prefer using it with distilled water, but that's easy to find locally. With travel abroad, I'll probably pack a small bottle of distilled water in my checked luggage to last a few days, until I can locate some at the destination.

As this is medical equipment, most (all?) airlines these days will allow this as an "extra" carry-on item. You could check this on the websites of the airlines you'll be using.

I also think you'll probably be healthier using the CPAP and get a better sleep, even with a 2-3 week trip. You might ask your doctor whether it would be advisable to dispense with it, even for that short time. I've found that I get a more restful sleep and feel better when using it, so I will definitely be packing it along on trips even if it is a bit of a nuisance. I don't think my doctor would be happy if I stopped using it, even for a short time. I'll probably leave some room in my checked luggage, so that I can place the CPAP unit in there while travelling between locations in Europe.

One other important thing to check is the voltage specifications of the power supply. Most CPAP power supplies are designed for operation from 100-230 VAC, so this should work fine in Europe. However, you will of course need country-specific Plug Adaptors.

I would never check a CPAP.

Although I usually don't need the humidifier, if I'm travelling to a dry climate I bring a few Heat Moisture Exchangers I get from thecpapshot.com

I'm surprised to hear some people use dish soap to clean their CPAP pillows/cushions, the strong smell would put me off. Hand soap will clean skin oils, etc. just as effectively.

@Bobby - I have never used it without the humidifier & my mouth is always dry even using it. I drink a full glass of water & use saline nasal solution when I get up (usually well before 5AM - the CPAP does not solve insomnia, clearly). I likely will clean it daily, if I bring it - even if it is just by using some sort of mask wipes.

@LizinPA - I would never check one, but I don't want to lose a trip if some airline or airport hassles me about one either. The miniature, travel one seems to be an ideal option for packing. As I have almost ruled out cruising for a land-based tour, packing lighter has become more critical. Thanks for the heat moisture exchangers mentioned - I have never heard of them & will check that out. And I would never use soap for my mask - the SoClean does the sanitizing & I wipe it down nightly with CPAP wipes to get rid of any lingering ozone smell. I also have an ultraviolet sanitizer wand, but it is very time-consuming to use.

let's face it, every TSA station is an adventure and there's no need to be consistent. However you could push the "medical device" and "medical necessity" argument, and perhaps pack a letter from your doctor to wave about.

I am currently 61. I have been using a CPAP/BiPAP machine for about twenty years. I think I would have died by now if I hadn't been diagnosed with sleep apnea and started using it.

I have various issues with using it (it works best when you are sleeping on your back, but sleeping constantly on my back for the first 7 years of using it resulted in me developing a persistent back pain issue), and causes other issues (recently, irritation to my airway), and while irritating, even with those issues it's a lot better than the alternative!

I also have diabetes, which means that when I travel, not only do I have to lug a CPAP around, I also have to carry enough Lantus injectable and associated gear to last for the trip.

It hasn't stopped me from traveling! I have been travelling to Europe, usually on trips lasting a month during which we are changing location every few days, for the last 12 years or so. Been to Prague, Italy (with kids), Portugal, England and Scotland (with kids), Provence (with friends) and Paris, Denmark/Sweden (with kids), and former Yugoslavia (including Bosnia). Our last trip, in May 2019, started in Lvov, Ukraine, then Poland, Hungary, Austria, and then ended in Italy (Lake Como and Milan) all via plane or train. Every one has been great!

I have never encountered problems in flying with my CPAP and other medicines. At worst, security will make you take your CPAP out of its case to run it through the scanners. Its considered medical equipment, so the airlines don't count it against your luggage allowance.

I have on a couple of occasions managed to leave my diabetes stuff (which I try to keep refrigerated) behind. This last trip, I left it in a communal fridge in Salzburg. My doctor's attitude about that has been not to worry about it too much as going for a few days without it isn't really life threatening. But to try to really avoid carbs for the rest of the trip.

On some of these trips, we have traveled partly by rental car (Portugal, England/Scotland, Provence, Sweden, for times in former Yugoslavia). It's not really a hassle to have to transport your CPAP around by car. Just remember to take it with you, and make sure you have completely emptied it of water before transporting it.

I generally take care of cleaning and packing my CPAP the first thing after waking up on travel days, and set it up immediately as soon as we get to the next place we will stay. Doing that seems to insure I don't forget it. And, it's much better than struggling with it when you are rushed or tired.

Even when using public transport, its not really all that much of a hassle to carry around. It's one extra, fairly light thing to have to carry. I usually use a bag on rollers with a handle that extends, and loop it around the handle. Just travel light, otherwise.

When we were in Portugal, we dropped off our rental car and then took a taxi to our hotel for our final 5 days or so in Lisbon. The taxi driver failed to take the CPAP out of his trunk, and drove off with it. So, we had to take another taxi to a hospital, where they gave us a CPAP as a loaner. A few hours wasted, but otherwise they were quite nice about it.

I had the bright thought of checking in at the Lisbon airport lost and found on our way back to the States, and to our surprise found our driver had in fact turned it in! So we recovered it (but I bought a new one shortly after in any event--I find it best to replace the machine every 2 or 3 years).

So, use a little common sense, but don't worry too much. And definitely don't let using a CPAP interfere with your travel plans!

@Matt -Thanks for the good advice. I definitely won't allow a CPAP to dissuade me from travel - I just wondered if the hassles outweighed the benefits. They clearly don't seem to. I plan on taking a CPAP with me, probably a travel one. It might be nice to have a second one anyway, for naps in the basement, a spare in case my main one breaks down, etc. And I will clean it daily, just with CPAP wipes or something. I will take new, never been used gear with me (mask, hose, etc.).

I, too, have diabetes - but it is being managed (barely, for now) by diet, exercise & meds. While travelling, I plan on spending long days walking everywhere & using gyms where the hotels have them.

I have taken only one European trip with CPAP -- about 8 weeks in 2019-2020 -- bought distilled water in the laundry section of grocery stores, washed the nasal pillows and water reservoir daily using whatever soap was handy. Water was about €1 per liter bottle, so I didn't worry about hauling it along between destinations ( A friend said she just used tap water on her trips and used a soft toothbrush to clean any mineral residue out of the water tub when she returned home.)

I travel to Europe and Asia with a Transcend and have never had any issues with the airlines or at the airport. For domestic travel, I frequently pack my Resmed S-9 without the tank. Again, no problems ever with TSA etc. I have had more problems with contact lens solution and cosmetic creams for my wife than my CPAP!

My husband has used one for years, and he leaves the humidifier section home when traveling. He just places his CPAP inside his carryon suitcase when we’re traveling by train in Europe. He has never had an issues through airport security in the US, Europe or Asia.

Also, if you have a spouse, I would definitely consider bringing it, too. I still remember being exhausted, taking a nap on a park bench in Munich during the RS GAS tour because my husband’s snoring (pre-CPAP) was even worse because of the changes during travel. Now it’s a non-issue for both of us.

Maybe a business opportunity -- renting out a travel CPAP. Or setting up a time-share group of travelling friends ??

@Jean - I do not have a spouse/will travel solo/not share a room, so snoring won't affect anyone but me. Pre-CPAP, I wore a chinstrap that forced me to breathe through my nose & wore one while experimenting with a nasal mask. My model seemingly does not allow me to leave the humidifier chamber at home, but I am able to turn that function off.

My sister traveled to Europe with her CPAP. There were absolutely no issues with her carrying it on the plane even though she actually then had two carry on pieces. I was impressed with how accommodating and kind the airline personnel were about it.

I'm considering getting a new machine to replace my old off-brand one.
It's still working, but it is big and heavy and sometimes loud-ish. I'm really after one which I can run off 12V so that I can take it camping. I have some questions about updating my CPAP equipment.
1. I currently have a CPAP – is it worth upgrading to an APAP?
2. Given my desire for more 12V capability and quiet operation, can anyone recommend a make and model?

robertjkitterll
Welcome to the forum!
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