Traveling internationally with a CPAP machine is straightforward once you know what to prepare. Most modern CPAP devices are designed for global use, and airlines are required to allow them as carry-on medical equipment. The key is handling a few logistics before you leave: power compatibility, documentation, security screening, and sourcing distilled water abroad.
Carry It On, Don’t Check It
Your CPAP machine should always go in your carry-on luggage, never in a checked bag. Checked baggage handling can damage the device, and if your luggage gets lost, you’ll be without therapy for the entire trip. If your CPAP uses a lithium-ion battery, the FAA actually requires it to be carried in the cabin rather than checked.
Most airlines in the U.S. and internationally do not count a CPAP machine against your carry-on allowance. Under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, medical devices are exempt from carry-on limits on flights departing from or arriving in the United States. International carriers vary, so check your specific airline’s medical equipment policy before departure. Even when the policy is favorable, having confirmation in writing (a screenshot of the airline’s policy page or an email from their customer service team) can save you a disagreement at the gate.
Getting Through Security
The TSA allows CPAP machines, masks, and tubing through security checkpoints. You can leave everything inside its carrying case for X-ray screening, though an officer may ask you to remove it from the bag for a closer look. If you have TSA PreCheck, the device can stay in your carry-on and in its case through the X-ray without removal.
Outside the U.S., security protocols differ by country. In most cases, a CPAP in a clearly labeled medical device bag passes through without issue. Carrying a letter from your doctor stating the medical necessity of the device helps in countries where security agents are less familiar with CPAP equipment. The letter should include your name, diagnosis, the device type, and a statement that you need it for daily use. Having this translated into the local language of your destination is a practical step for countries where English isn’t widely spoken.
Power and Voltage Abroad
Most modern CPAP machines have a universal power supply that accepts 100 to 240 volts and both 50 and 60 Hz frequencies. This means the device itself will work on any electrical grid in the world without a voltage converter. You can confirm this by checking the label on your power brick or adapter, which will list the input voltage range.
What you will need is a plug adapter. Wall outlet shapes vary by country: the UK uses a three-pronged rectangular plug, continental Europe uses a two-prong round plug, and Australia uses angled flat prongs. A universal travel adapter with interchangeable heads covering these major types costs around $10 to $20 and covers most destinations. Do not confuse a plug adapter (which changes the shape of the prongs) with a voltage converter (which changes the electrical output). If your CPAP already accepts 100 to 240V, you only need the adapter.
One important note: if your CPAP has a heated humidifier or heated tubing, these features draw more power. They’ll still work on international voltage, but they can sometimes trip a low-wattage outlet in older hotels. If you notice the machine shutting off, try plugging directly into a wall outlet rather than a power strip or extension cord.
Using Your CPAP on the Plane
If you want to sleep with your CPAP during a long-haul flight, you’ll need a battery. While some aircraft seats have power outlets, the wattage they provide is often too low or unreliable for medical devices. British Airways and Air France seats with power, for example, typically max out at 75 watts. Virgin Australia offers 150 watts on some planes. But many airlines explicitly discourage or prohibit connecting medical equipment to seat power, even when outlets are available.
The safer option is a FAA-compliant portable battery. Lithium-ion batteries are limited to 100 watt-hours per battery without special approval. With airline approval, you can carry up to two spare batteries rated between 101 and 160 watt-hours. Most travel CPAP batteries fall within these limits and provide 8 to 12 hours of use with humidification turned off. Contact your airline at least 48 hours before departure to confirm their policy on in-flight CPAP use and to get any required approval for larger batteries. Many airlines ask for 150% battery capacity relative to the flight duration, so for a 10-hour flight, you’d want enough charge for 15 hours.
Finding Distilled Water Overseas
If you use a humidifier with your CPAP, you’ll need distilled water at your destination. This is one of the trickier logistics of international CPAP travel, because distilled water isn’t sold in the same places or under the same name everywhere.
In Europe, distilled water is commonly found in the automotive section of supermarkets and hardware stores, since it’s used for car batteries and steam irons. In Germany, drugstore chains like DM and Rossmann carry it, as do major supermarkets like Edeka and Rewe. In Spain, travelers have found it in the laundry detergent aisle. Gas station convenience stores along major highways in Germany also stock it. In many European countries, what’s labeled “demineralized water” serves the same purpose for CPAP humidifiers and is more widely available than water specifically labeled “distilled.”
A practical tip: if you’re asking a store employee for help, tell them you need it for a steam iron rather than explaining the medical device. Iron owners are a bigger customer base, and staff will know exactly where to find it. In parts of Europe where tap water is very clean and low in minerals (Scandinavia, for instance), some CPAP users report using tap water for short trips without issues, though this can leave mineral deposits in the chamber over time.
For the first night of your trip, carry a small amount of distilled water in a sealed travel bottle. This buys you time to locate a local source without skipping a night of humidification.
Altitude and Pressure Adjustments
If your destination is at high elevation, your CPAP’s pressure delivery may need adjustment. Most modern machines automatically compensate for altitude changes, so if you’re heading to a city like Denver or Bogotá, the device will recalibrate on its own. ResMed devices, for example, are designed to function at altitudes up to about 2,600 meters (roughly 8,500 feet). Older machines may require a manual altitude setting, which your sleep specialist can walk you through before your trip.
Above that threshold, or if you’re trekking at very high elevations, contact your equipment manufacturer or sleep clinic for guidance. The lower air pressure at extreme altitudes means the machine has to work harder to deliver the same therapeutic pressure, and some devices may not compensate adequately.
Packing Checklist
- CPAP machine in a padded carry-on bag
- Mask, tubing, and headgear (bring a spare mask if possible)
- Universal plug adapter for your destination’s outlet type
- Power cord and power brick
- FAA-compliant battery if you plan to use CPAP on the plane
- Doctor’s letter stating medical necessity, ideally translated for non-English-speaking destinations
- Prescription or equipment receipt to show customs if asked
- Small bottle of distilled water for your first night
- Zip-lock bags for packing a damp humidifier chamber after your last morning
One final practical detail: empty and dry your humidifier chamber before packing on travel days. A wet chamber inside a sealed bag in warm luggage is an invitation for mold. If you’re catching an early flight and can’t fully dry it, disassemble the chamber and pack it open inside a zip-lock bag with a small towel.