Planning your holiday
For more information, visit the Parkinson’s UK website (last updated November 2022).
It’s a good idea to chat to your GP, specialist, or Parkinson’s nurse about your plans before you go. They can check if there’s anything you need to take into consideration – like how much medication you’ll need.
If your medication regime has been recently changed, you should wait until it is working well before planning your trip
Whether you plan on travelling by air, rail, sea or car, explain what you need clearly to the company you’re booking with. It’s best not to assume that people will understand what sort of assistance someone with Parkinson’s may need.
If you use any apps to help you manage your Parkinson’s, such as helping you monitor your exercise or reminding you to take your medication on time, check the cost and availability of using your phone abroad before you travel.
The Association of British Travel Agents has a helpful travel checklist for disabled and less mobile passengers. You or your travel agent can fill it in, and then use it to check if different transport, accommodation and facilities meet your needs
Travel checklist for disabled and less mobile passengers
You should talk to your GP, specialist or Parkinson’s nurse about:
- getting a medical certificate or letter that explains you have Parkinson’s and lists the medication you’re taking. It should also include any other medical equipment, such as needles and syringes, and electronic devices you’re using
- how much medication you’ll need for your trip – and bringing extra away with you, just in case
- whether airport scanners could affect things like your pulse generator for deep brain stimulation
- whether any travel vaccinations you need could affect your medication
- whether your medications are heat or sun sensitive and may need special storage facilities