Travel Tips

Check with your GP or pharmacist well in advance of your holiday to find out whether you need any vaccinations for the country you are visiting. They may also need to provide you with letter to state that you are fit to fly. 

For the latest information about the country you're visiting, including safety and visa requirements, check the Department of Foreign Affairs website.

Plan your route to the airport, ferry etc. If you're driving, check for any roadworks or, if travelling by public transport, check for engineering works.

Make sure you have the new European Health Insurance Card if you are travelling to a European Union member country - it will ensure that you have easy access to healthcare in that country. Click here for information on applying for or renewing this card. 

Please note, it's still advisable to buy travel insurance because, for example, it doesn't cover emergency repatriation and not all countries give the same level of cover.

If you are travelling with medication, you should have a copy of your prescription. If you need to take medications onto a flight with you, you may do so but a copy of the prescription or letter from your doctor may be required in order to confirm that this is essential. 

Many airports offer assistance. Sunflower lanyards are often used by people in airports to volunarily share that they are living with a condition and may require assistance. Special Assistance services in airports may be able to assist you in obtaining such a lanyard or you can visit the Sunflower Lanyard website. Click here to find out more.

Many people with MS find that heat does not help their symptoms. During the summer months try to plan activities so that you won’t be outside at the hottest time of the day – over lunchtime. Putting your feet in a bowel of cold water, cold-water sprays and table top fans will help to cool you down.

If you have to consider toileting and accessibility, when you are going somewhere you haven’t been before, find out where the toilets are, if there are lifts and how wide the doors are.

If you are travelling by airplane, you may wish to get in touch with the airline directly before you leave, as they will be able to offer you assistance in getting around, both before and after the flight. They may also be able to put you in a seat with extra legroom if you need it. 

If you are going to a restaurant or a concert, it may be worth phoning in advance, as they may be able to offer you priority parking or special seating arrangements. Please contact the promotor for support. 

If you are on disability allowance you can apply for a free travel pass and a free companion pass allowing both yourself and a companion to travel on public transport free. Find out more here. 

You may be able apply for an EU parking permit, allowing you to park your vehicle in a designated parking zone. Click here to find out more. 

Pack your travel insurance policy booklet, schedule and information cards.

If you need to arrange emergency medical treatment abroad. You should talk to your doctor and travel agent, if you have one, for advice before you go. 

You can also get information from the Tourist Office, Embassy or High Commission of the country you're visiting about getting medical treatment while you're there.

Have a list of any medications you are taking to hand so you can provide this to any healthcare provider you need to engage with. It is advisable to use the generic name rather than the brand name as brand names may be different in different countries. EG. you should say natalizumab rather than Tysabri.