Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTraveling With EpilepsyPreparing for Your TripFlyingDrivingTrain or BusPlanning for Seizure TriggersInsurance and Health CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Traveling With Epilepsy
Preparing for Your Trip
Flying
Driving
Train or Bus
Planning for Seizure Triggers
Insurance and Health Care
Frequently Asked Questions
People withepilepsycan and do travel using every mode of transportation. However, it may require extra planning, such as ensuring you have enough medication and requesting accommodations if needed. This article will discuss the challenges of traveling with epilepsy, how to prepare, and how tomake your trip go smoothly.
d3sign / Getty Images
Can You Travel With Epilepsy?
Some considerations may need to be taken, such as places to avoid or safety measures to take, but most people with epilepsy can travel just fine.
If you have epilepsy and plan to travel, it’s important to prepare for your trip ahead of time to make sure you have everything you need and are ready for any unexpected difficulties.
Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
If you have enough notice, talk to your healthcare provider at least two months before your trip.
Things to discuss with your healthcare provider include:
Important Documents
Which documents you will need to bring depends on your mode of transportation, the company with whom you are traveling, where you are going, and specifics about your condition. It’s worth contacting the company to inform them ofyour conditionand ask what they recommend.
It’s also important to check what you will need to get through customs if you are changing countries.
Some documents that may be helpful include:
Medication
Things to keep in mind when traveling withmedicationinclude:
Requesting Accommodations
If you need accommodations, try to inform the company or venue ahead of time, preferably at the time of reservation.
Some accommodations you may need or find beneficial include:
TSA Rules for Traveling With MedicationThe Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has rules fortraveling with medication. You can read about the rules in detail ontheir website.Some highlights include:Medication must undergo security screening.Inform the TSA officer of any medically necessary liquids or medications and any accessories used for your medication.Some medically necessary liquids may be exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule under certain conditions.
TSA Rules for Traveling With Medication
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has rules fortraveling with medication. You can read about the rules in detail ontheir website.Some highlights include:Medication must undergo security screening.Inform the TSA officer of any medically necessary liquids or medications and any accessories used for your medication.Some medically necessary liquids may be exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule under certain conditions.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has rules fortraveling with medication. You can read about the rules in detail ontheir website.
Some highlights include:
Can You Fly With Epilepsy?
Also, with it being a confined space, the safety of the person and the other passengers could be put at risk if the person experiences confusion or behavior changesduring or after a seizure.
If you are concerned about your VNS, or if these considerations can’t be met, you can request a pat-down check instead. A handheld metal detector should not be used directly over your VNS.
Your Legal Rights While FlyingThe Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) prohibits airlines from asking if a person has adisabilityor refusing them travel because of their disability, unless the pilot reasonably believes a person’s seizure disorder or disability poses a real safety risk to the pilot or other passengers, and reasonable accommodation does not eliminate this risk.In most cases, a pilot cannot require a medical certificate from a healthcare provider certifying that it is safe for a person to fly.
Your Legal Rights While Flying
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) prohibits airlines from asking if a person has adisabilityor refusing them travel because of their disability, unless the pilot reasonably believes a person’s seizure disorder or disability poses a real safety risk to the pilot or other passengers, and reasonable accommodation does not eliminate this risk.In most cases, a pilot cannot require a medical certificate from a healthcare provider certifying that it is safe for a person to fly.
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) prohibits airlines from asking if a person has adisabilityor refusing them travel because of their disability, unless the pilot reasonably believes a person’s seizure disorder or disability poses a real safety risk to the pilot or other passengers, and reasonable accommodation does not eliminate this risk.
In most cases, a pilot cannot require a medical certificate from a healthcare provider certifying that it is safe for a person to fly.
Can People With Epilepsy Drive?
You should also discuss your plans with your healthcare provider ahead of time to ensure it is safe for you to drive.
If you are driving:
Trains and buses can be a great option forpeople with epilepsy, particularly if you can’t drive or fly. They also make help more easily accessible if you have a seizure.
Traveling may increase exposure to seizure triggers. Planning for triggers may include:
Make sure you know where and how to seek medical care where you will be staying.
Travel insurance is highly recommended. When choosing travel insurance:
Summary
Having epilepsy usually does not prevent a person from traveling. Considerations may need to be taken when planning your trip, such as how well your seizures are controlled, accommodations that may need to be made, and triggers you may encounter.
Careful planning ahead of time, like bringing proper documents, ensuring you have enoughmedication, and acquiring travel insurance, can make for a smoother trip. In addition, always talk to your healthcare provider about your upcoming travel plans.
There is conflicting evidence on whether flying increases the chances of seizures. However, it’s possible that factors related to flying, such as stress and anxiety, fear of flying, sleep disruption, or disruption to biological rhythms with long flights, could increase the risk of seizures.The Epilepsy Foundation states no medical evidence shows flying increases the risk of seizures.Learn MoreCauses and Prevention of Seizures
There is conflicting evidence on whether flying increases the chances of seizures. However, it’s possible that factors related to flying, such as stress and anxiety, fear of flying, sleep disruption, or disruption to biological rhythms with long flights, could increase the risk of seizures.The Epilepsy Foundation states no medical evidence shows flying increases the risk of seizures.
There is conflicting evidence on whether flying increases the chances of seizures. However, it’s possible that factors related to flying, such as stress and anxiety, fear of flying, sleep disruption, or disruption to biological rhythms with long flights, could increase the risk of seizures.
The Epilepsy Foundation states no medical evidence shows flying increases the risk of seizures.
Learn MoreCauses and Prevention of Seizures
It’s best to travel with someone who knows seizure first aid. They can help you lie down on your side across seats, arrange pillows or blankets to protect your head, monitor you during and after your seizure, and take other safety measures.
Learn MoreFirst Aid for Epilepsy Seizures
It’s important to be honest and accurate about your condition when seeking travel insurance. Not doing so may invalidate your policy and mean you do not receive needed pay-outs.Learn MoreIs Travel Health Insurance Necessary?
It’s important to be honest and accurate about your condition when seeking travel insurance. Not doing so may invalidate your policy and mean you do not receive needed pay-outs.
Learn MoreIs Travel Health Insurance Necessary?
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.British Epilepsy Association.Travel advice for people with epilepsy.Epilepsy Foundation.International travel.Epilepsy Action Australia.Travel.Epilepsy Foundation.Tips for parents: traveling with a child who has epilepsy.Medical Air Service.Flying with epilepsy: how to ensure a safe journey?Epilepsy Foundation.Air travel and epilepsy.Transportation Security Administration.Disabilities and medical conditions.Aerospace Medical Association.Air travel for passengers with neurological conditions.Epilepsy Foundation.Traveling tips.Epilepsy Foundation.Seizures in airplanes.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.British Epilepsy Association.Travel advice for people with epilepsy.Epilepsy Foundation.International travel.Epilepsy Action Australia.Travel.Epilepsy Foundation.Tips for parents: traveling with a child who has epilepsy.Medical Air Service.Flying with epilepsy: how to ensure a safe journey?Epilepsy Foundation.Air travel and epilepsy.Transportation Security Administration.Disabilities and medical conditions.Aerospace Medical Association.Air travel for passengers with neurological conditions.Epilepsy Foundation.Traveling tips.Epilepsy Foundation.Seizures in airplanes.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
British Epilepsy Association.Travel advice for people with epilepsy.Epilepsy Foundation.International travel.Epilepsy Action Australia.Travel.Epilepsy Foundation.Tips for parents: traveling with a child who has epilepsy.Medical Air Service.Flying with epilepsy: how to ensure a safe journey?Epilepsy Foundation.Air travel and epilepsy.Transportation Security Administration.Disabilities and medical conditions.Aerospace Medical Association.Air travel for passengers with neurological conditions.Epilepsy Foundation.Traveling tips.Epilepsy Foundation.Seizures in airplanes.
British Epilepsy Association.Travel advice for people with epilepsy.
Epilepsy Foundation.International travel.
Epilepsy Action Australia.Travel.
Epilepsy Foundation.Tips for parents: traveling with a child who has epilepsy.
Medical Air Service.Flying with epilepsy: how to ensure a safe journey?
Epilepsy Foundation.Air travel and epilepsy.
Transportation Security Administration.Disabilities and medical conditions.
Aerospace Medical Association.Air travel for passengers with neurological conditions.
Epilepsy Foundation.Traveling tips.
Epilepsy Foundation.Seizures in airplanes.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
