Trave!ling with a CPAP machine

Your CPAP should have come in its own carry case. I just carry it with me on flights and trains. Take an adapter so you can use the plugs in various countries. No need for a voltage converter as most CPAPs are already dual voltage and adjust automatically when you plug it in and turn it on.

hi, this past thread may also help inform your questions on traveling with CPAP

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/cpap-question

I also suffer from a mild case of sleep apnea and use a CPAP nightly. The units come in various configurations and sizes. Mine has a detachable water reservoir which can be left at home while traveling. Most also come with a carry bag to hold the unit, tubing and other needed accessories. Since it is a medical device, it is not counted as an additional piece of carry on luggage if you use the carry bag. Last fall I took a three week trip to France and Italy and asked my ENT if I had to drag it along. He wanted me to and also told me about a smaller device that was quite compact but also quite expensive. I then spoke with my primary care physician and he felt that it would not be harmful if I were to leave the unit at home. But this was his advice for my particular case. This winter I'm going on another 3 week jaunt and, again, I won't be taking the CPAP. Consult your physician and rely on his judgment as it applies to you.

I would wait till you get the machine before worrying about travel. Mine came with a carrying case and while not tiny, it would have been OK to travel with. Turns out I don't use the machine since when I sleep on my stomach I don't snore. The test requires you to sleep on your back (because you are hooked up to so many sensors and wires). I couldn't get used to the machine so after a month I tried to return it which turned out to be a hassle and left me thinking this is an insurance scam. If your husband is one of the people who are truly helped by the machine, he'll know it right away (according to many who swear by their CPAP). If not....leave it at home since it hasn't been a problem on previous trips.

I've addressed this topic several times, mostly in luggage-related threads. My comment below from a discussion of the Euro Flight Bag is a description of my current arrangement for hauling the CPAP, which I just did again recently and will be doing in a few weeks, also on a trip to Italy. Yes, you are entitled to bring the CPAP as a third carry-on item, as it is considered a medical device. But I wanted a simpler arrangement than juggling three bags. I've thought about getting a travel-sized CPAP, but haven't pulled that trigger yet, so will likely be taking my current machine again. I also leave the humidifier at home. Tracking down distilled water in a strange place and hauling a gallon jug back to the hotel only to leave 95 percent of it behind is just kind of a pain. I find I do fine without the humidifier for a week or two. Plus, it saves a significant chunk of space in the bag.

I think travelingmom and I have just had different expectations and experiences with the Euro Flight Bag. I got it to solve the problem of juggling three bags. I started using a CPAP several years ago. You can carry on a medical device as a third item, in addition to your carry-on bag and a personal item. The first couple of times I flew with the CPAP, I tried carrying the machine in the bag it came in, attempting, VERY unsuccessfully, to secure it to the handle of the RS rolling carry-on. Plus, I had the Civita bag over my shoulder. It was an ungainly arrangement to begin with, made much worse as the CPAP bag constantly flopped around atop the carry-on.
My current arrangement is to use the Euro bag to carry the CPAP, my camera wrapped in the otherwise empty Civita bag, my Kindle and stuff I want access to on the plane. So, two bags instead of three, and in my case, the Euro bag sits quite securely on the carry-on handle. Maybe I've packed the carry-on full enough to give the top some structure, but I've had good luck. And I like that the Euro bag is unstructured, as it will squish down easily in case anyone at the gate thinks it looks too big for a personal item. It slides under the seat on the plane with no problem. Also, those inside pockets that travelingmom has no use for are perfect for stowing the power supply, cords and mask for the CPAP.
Like the RS carry-on, the Euro bag has unexpected capacity. I've used it several times as on overnight bag with plenty of room to spare. My wife and I even shared the bag for a weekend trip once. I have carried my smallish laptop sometimes, but I don't want to lug it to Europe. I did a practice pack the other day with the CPAP, camera, etc., also adding my packable rain jacket and the Don't Tell Rick Bag, with those items wrapped in a pillowcase to serve as a makeshift travel pillow. All told the bag came in at about 10 lbs., which I hope to reduce with a travel-size CPAP before our trip in May.
My one knock on the Euro bag is that I don't find the shoulder strap terribly comfortable, especially if the bag is fairly heavy. Otherwise, I've been well-pleased and will put it to the overseas test on our May trip to Italy.
So, I think there's no right or wrong answer. You just have to figure out what's going to work for you. In any case, I now own the RS 20" rolling carry-on, the Euro Flight Bag and the Civita day bag. I find all of them to be functional, versatile and durable. No regrets on giving Rick the business.

EDIT: If you do a forum search for CPAP, you'll find dozens of discussions on this topic.

About not using it when you travel, the other posters are right - it depends on the severity of your case and other particulars. I know two people who are really wrecked if they don't use it every night.

At the airport, you show it as a medical device at security; they often want to swab it to check for explosives. At least in the US, it doesn't count against your baggage allowance and can be carried on.

If you do want to get distilled water, it's sold in Europe, often at pharmacies (so it can be expensive).

Just to add on, in case you do need the humidifier with distilled water. Using regular water for a few days won't hurt anything, but we did easily find distilled water in pharmacies in France and Italy, typically in liter or similar size, not the gallon jugs we're used to here in the US. I don't recall it being expensive.

Distilled water is about 4 euros in a "medical" glass jar in pharmacies but 50-70 cents in a plastic bottle found in the ironing section of grocery stores.

My friend needs to use one. I can't help with the brand but I will say that he always carries an extension cord. Available outlets are not always in a convenient location.

Look for "L'eau déminéralisée" in litre bottles - usually on the bottom row in the laundry detergent aisle, or nearby. Only costs a few centimes.

Thank you all for your helpful comments!

I normally use a CPAP at home, but when travelling, I am too tired to notice a difference. So I stopped carrying one. But it depends on how your husband reacts. If he is not using one now, don't take one. It may take a while to get used to it. I agree with carrying a 6 foot extension cord. outlets are not always in the best locations.

It might be better to purchase an extension cord in the country you are visiting, rather than depend upon an plug-in adapter. Some extension cords will short out with an adapter. They only cost about 6 EU and can be found in hardware and some large grocery stores.