Key Takeaways

• Keep up your treatment while traveling – Skipping treatment for obstructive sleep apnea while traveling can bring back symptoms like fatigue, headaches and irritability, and may affect your safety and overall health.

• Pack your CPAP strategically – It’s best to keep your CPAP machine, mask, tubing and power supplies in your carry-on bag to avoid damage or loss. Plan ahead for essentials like distilled water or batteries to make traveling easier.

• Explore travel-friendly alternatives – Oral appliances or mask-free therapies like Inspire^® therapy can be easier to use and pack for trips, allowing you to travel without skipping treatment.

• Plan ahead for security and international travel –When traveling with CPAP or Inspire therapy, review airline policies ahead of travel, carry medical documentation, and follow guidance for airport screening to travel with confidence.

Are you feeling weighed down by the hassle of traveling with CPAP and the equipment it involves—or noticing your sleep apnea is still affecting how much you can enjoy your time away? Whether it’s a honeymoon, work conference or weekend getaway, traveling with sleep apnea can feel overwhelming. Skipping or struggling to use CPAP while away can also leave you less rested and not feeling your best during your trip.

You may be tempted to leave it behind, but even one night without treatment can cause symptoms to return or worsen. The result? Struggling to sleep, waking up tired and feeling too unlike yourself to enjoy your trip.

The good news? You don’t have to miss out. Here are practical tips for traveling with CPAP—plus other sleep apnea treatment options if CPAP just isn’t working for you.

Why skipping treatment isn’t worth it

Poor quality sleep can lead to daytime grogginess, headaches, irritability and low mood—none of which sounds like a bonus on a work trip or holiday. The lack of alertness and energy can also affect your safety, increase your risk of accidents and make it harder to get through the day.

And if you have a bed partner or roommate, if you snore, it could disturb their sleep, too.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. Left untreated, OSA can also worsen other health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and depression. Then there’s the many long-term health risks of untreated OSA to think about.

These are just a few of the many reasons it’s important to stick with your treatment while traveling. So, let’s take a look at how to make traveling with sleep apnea easier.

Traveling with CPAP: What to know before you go

Many people wonder how to travel with CPAP but traveling with a CPAP machine becomes easier with a little planning. Here are some common considerations:

Staying within baggage limits

Many airlines let you bring your CPAP onboard or check it as medical equipment without affecting your baggage allowance. It’s best to pack all CPAP supplies – mask, tubing, filters, headgear, batteries, adapter, humidifier, and wipes – together in one bag, and keep unrelated items separate, so the bag is recognized as medical equipment.

Note: Airline rules and policies may vary, so check in advance to be sure of yours.

Keeping your CPAP clean

Pack your CPAP machine in a protective case or clear plastic bag to help keep it clean while it’s stored, handled or going through security screening. Using sanitizing wipes or a dedicated travel case can also provide extra protection. It’s also important to keep up with regular cleaning and maintenance for your CPAP machine during your trip.

Understanding power requirements

If you’d like to try to catch some Zs while traveling, check with your airline, cruise line or train about using your CPAP onboard. Some may have limitations on medical devices or may not offer compatible outlets. You can usually bring CPAP batteries in your carry-on, but it’s best to check airline requirements ahead of time, especially for in-flight use. It’s also a good idea to bring pre-charged batteries—many airlines suggest enough capacity for 150% of your flight time—as a backup. If you’re traveling internationally or camping, you may also need a power converter.

Traveling with a humidifier and distilled water

CPAP humidifiers help prevent dryness, but traveling with distilled water can be tricky. Airport security usually allows medically necessary liquids, including distilled water for CPAP use, in reasonable quantities. You may also buy distilled water after security, though availability varies. Check with your airline or cruise line in advance, so you know what to expect.

Travel-friendly CPAP machines

Frequent travelers may want to invest in a compact, portable model. These lightweight systems can help make traveling with CPAP easier. You can choose one with helpful features, too, like waterless humidification, so you don’t need to worry about traveling with distilled water.

Consult your doctor for options that fit your therapy, and check with your insurance, as travel CPAPs are often optional and may not be covered.

Compliance and using CPAP in-flight

Medical devices used in flight usually need to meet aviation safety standards. Globally, many airlines require devices to be approved for onboard use. You can often verify this on the device or request a compliance letter from the manufacturer.

Before your flight, confirm whether you can use your CPAP onboard and whether you’ll need a doctor’s letter.

Other considerations for traveling with CPAP

Be familiar with what to expect environmentally on your trip. High altitudes, extreme temperatures and changes in humidity can affect how your CPAP works and how comfortable it feels. Read your user guide, check with the manufacturer or talk with your doctor for guidance.

Other sleep apnea treatment options

If you’re struggling to make CPAP work for you, rest assured, other options are available—including some that can make traveling with sleep apnea easier.

Easy-to-pack oral appliances
For mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliances like mandibular advancement devices (MADs) or tongue-stabilizing devices (TSDs) are small, easy to pack and travel-friendly, though they may be less effective than CPAP.

Traveling with Inspire^® therapy
For moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, Inspire^® therapy is a mask- mask- free,¹ implantable device that keeps your airway open while you sleep. It’s controlled with a small remote and requires no bulky equipment or daily cleaning, making travel easier. You can also use the Inspire^® app to track your sleep and share data with your doctor as needed while you’re on the go. When flying with an Inspire therapy device, simply inform security about your implant and show your device ID card.

Other obstructive sleep apnea treatment options

• Weight management: Prescription medications like GLP-1 drugs can support weight loss, which can help improve sleep apnea symptoms, especially mild ones. But these drugs don’t treat OSA directly. Many people with moderate to severe symptoms need additional therapy.

• Surgery: For structural issues in the nose, mouth, throat or jaw, surgery may be an option. But these procedures tend to carry more risk, require hospitalization and involve longer recovery, so it’s usually considered after less invasive treatments.

Talk to your doctor

Rest assured, many people find a sleep apnea treatment that manages their condition and fits their lifestyle. If you’re struggling with CPAP or interested in other treatment options, talk to your doctor. They can adjust your treatment or recommend alternatives based on your sleep apnea severity, lifestyle, travel needs and insurance.

Frequently asked questions

CPAP FAQs

1. Can I carry my CPAP on an airplane?
   Yes. Many airlines allow you to bring your CPAP machine onboard or check it as medical equipment without counting toward your baggage allowance. Pack your device and supplies—e.g., mask, tubing, headgear, filters and power adapters—in a separate bag to make security screening easier. Check airline rules in advance, as policies can vary.
   

2. Do I need a doctor’s note to travel with a CPAP machine?
   Some airlines may require a doctor’s note or prescription for medical equipment, so it’s best to check with your airline ahead of time.
   

3. Can I bring distilled water for my CPAP on a plane?
   Airport security often allows medically necessary liquids, including distilled water for CPAP use, in reasonable quantities. You can also purchase distilled water after passing through security, though availability may vary by location.
   

4. How do people with sleep apnea sleep on a plane?
   Travelers may use their CPAP (if allowed by the airline) or plan their sleep schedule and seating to maximize rest, depending on flight duration and airline policies.
   

5. What happens if I skip my sleep apnea treatment while traveling?
   It’s best for your health and overall well-being to continue treatment while traveling. Skipping treatment can cause sleep apnea symptoms to return or worsen, including poor sleep, grogginess, headaches, irritability and low mood, among others. Untreated sleep apnea can also worsen other health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and depression.

Inspire^® Therapy FAQs

1. Can I fly with an Inspire implant?
   Yes. Flying with Inspire therapy is straightforward—just inform security that you have an implant when going through screening. Many patients find traveling with Inspire therapy easy—and easier than CPAP—since there’s only the small remote to pack.
   

2. Do I need to tell the TSA about my Inspire device?
   Yes. Tell the airport security agent that you have an implanted device and show them your medical device identification card. They will instruct you on which scanner to proceed through. Your Inspire^™ remote can also go through the X-ray scanner like other electronics.
   

3. Will Inspire set off metal detectors?
   No. The Inspire^® implant is safe to travel with and will not set off metal detectors.
   

4. What should I bring when traveling with Inspire?
   Bring only the small remote needed to turn your therapy on or off. You can also use the Inspire^® app to track your sleep and share data with your doctor, including while on the go.
   

5. Can I travel internationally with Inspire?
   Yes. If you are flying, tell the airport security agent you have an implanted device and show them your medical device identification card.