Taking a CPAP to Europe

I haven't taken my CPAP to Europe, but I am sure people do it every day. I just know that I have had mine for two years and have taken it to Vegas and a handful of other places here in the U.S. It's not the easiest thing to pack, but it's my top priority because if I don't use it, I sleep poorly and can hardly function the next day. Take it so you can enjoy your time in Europe. Don't spend all that money to go and then not be able to enjoy your trip.

Here are the prior discussions on this forum of taking CPAP machines to Europe

click here

I have often travelled with a friend who uses a CPAP and there has never been any problem. On occasion she has had to ask the hotel, or ship steward, for an extension cord, or we have had to shift furniiture around so that she has access to an electrical outlet. Thousands of people travel with CPAPs. Have no fear, my dear.

CPAPs are no problem in Europe. Mine was actually "Made in Germany". You do NOT want to put it in checked baggage where it can be lost, damaged or stolen. Just carry it on. I just got a new CPAP about 3 months ago, and it was much smaller and more light weight than my older one...and I took the older one on several European trips as a carry-on. Be sure to take adapters for the outlets. Mine has a built-in voltage converter so all I have to use is an adapter.

My wife took hers without a problem when we went to Italy. We just carried it on in its case. the TSA folks will look at it separately, but no hassle.

If yours uses distlilled water to humidify the air, you might want to learn the words for distilled water in the countries you'll be visiting.

My husband took his through Europe and never had a problem. No problems at all through airport security. Sometimes it was difficult to find distilled water though. I think a few nights he ran it without the humidifier or used regular water. He called the place that supplies his CPAP and they told him that using regular water for the 3 weeks would not ruin the machine.

I have used a CPAP for many years and have taken many trips with it.
Be sure that yours works on 220 volts and if it converts over to 220 automatically or if you must manually switch it over.
Mine is equipped with an extra long hose (8 feet or so) which is helpful because an outlet is often not available just where you need it.
We pack it in an overnight bag and it does use up about half the space.
A big advantage is that the sound it makes masks any other noise that might otherwise distrub your rest.
Airport security will require you to send it through the scanner separate from your other luggage and they may hand check it so be ready for that. They often do this but I've never had any problem except for the delay.

IF you have had you current machine for a long time, you might want to talk to your helath care provider about a new machine. the newer ones are much less bulky.

My wife has a fisher-paykel machine that is fairly small. It packs up including hose and mask in a case that is a bit smaller than a small slr camera case.

I have taken my CPAP machine to England several times. Take a converter plug(S)and an extension cord. Make sure to have a letter from your health professional about your use of it for security if needed(even though I have never had to use it). Carry it on, the last couple of domestic trips, I have had to take it out of its bag to put through security.

Please double check with your health insurance about a new machine before ordering it. many insurance companies will only pay for 1 machine unless older one breaks.

Tom