travel with oxygen
flying with medical oxygen

How can I take oxygen away on holiday?

Oxygen supplies for holidays in the UK

Before you arrange your holiday, it is important to speak to your doctor to make sure you are fit enough to travel. You should do this well in advance of your trip. This will give you enough time to make any necessary arrangements. Planning ahead will help things go smoothly so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday. At the moment arrangements for supplying your oxygen when on holiday varies depending on whether you live
First, you need to contact the place you are planning to stay to explain what your needs are and get permission for your oxygen or equipment to be delivered there. This is up to you to do. It’s a good idea anyway if you have any sort of medical needs to make sure that the accommodation you choose is suitable. So the chances are, you will have already spoken to them and explained all this before you booked up.
If you are going to need a different type of oxygen supply, talk to your doctor or specialist nurse. You will need another prescription for the new oxygen supply. But they can’t give you something different to what you normally have without a prescription.
There are places where you can’t take liquid oxygen, such as the Isle of Wight or the Channel Islands. But your supply company will be able to explain this and what you need to do. They can also help explain what you need to do if you are going abroad.
If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland and want to holiday there, the local pharmacist in the area can arrange your usual supply of oxygen. You need to arrange this through your GP at least a couple of weeks before you go away.
Oxygen supplies for holidays abroad
You will need to make your own arrangements for the supply of oxygen if you go on holiday abroad. Although suppliers aren’t required to provide a service outside the UK, they are usually very helpful and will be able to advise you on what to do. You’ll need to allow plenty of time to sort it all out. And again, you will need permission from your holiday accommodation owner for the delivery and installation of the equipment. You will have to pay for the supply of oxygen.
Before you arrange your holiday your doctor will need to write a letter saying that you are fit to travel. You will need to carry this letter with you.

Getting to and from your holiday

You also need to think about the oxygen supply for your journey to and from your holiday destination. This depends on whether you are travelling by
Travelling by car
If you regularly travel by car you may not need to make special arrangements. But it is important to make sure that you are fully prepared, especially for a long journey. If you don’t normally travel by car you should check with your oxygen supplier about what you need, including any specialist equipment.
Travelling by ferry
Ferry companies vary in what they will help with. Contact them before you book to check exactly what they can do. Some are able to help with oxygen supply if they have enough notice. They may be able to get you on and off the ferry first, or have special parking places for people with disabilities.
Travelling by train
Plan your route in advance and contact the rail company you want to travel with. Let them know what you need and who will be travelling with you. They may then be able to offer help with your journey. This may vary between train operating companies.
Travelling by plane
Plane travel is more complicated and airline companies vary in what they can provide. You will need to contact the airline you want to travel with to check

  • Their policy on taking oxygen on the plane including any costs
  • Whether you need to complete a form or get a doctor’s certificate saying you are fit to fly

You may also need to ask them

  • What support is available at the airport
  • Who can help you with luggage and boarding the plane
  • If they supply oxygen at the airport

The airline will need to know how much oxygen you usually need and whether you need it continuously or for short periods only. They’ll also want to know who will be travelling with you.
For more information please contact OxygenWorldwide team on info@oxygenworldwide.com