Traveling with HIV: A practical guide to packing meds, finding care, and handling customs & insurance

Travel should expand your world — not your stress. If you’re living with HIV, a little planning makes trips smoother: how much medication to take, what paperwork to carry, where to find care if something goes wrong, and how to handle customs and travel insurance. Below is a clear, no nonsense guide you can use before you leave and while you’re away.

Before you go — plan like a pro

• Talk with your clinician early. Ask for a travel check-up (vaccinations, travel risks for your destination) and request enough medication for the trip plus extra days in case of delays. Aim for at least 7–14 days beyond your return if possible. CDC+1

• Get a signed doctor’s letter. Have a short letter on clinic letterhead listing your name, diagnosis (if you’re comfortable), medication names and dosages (include generic names), and that the meds are for personal use. Some countries require it at customs. Carry a copy on paper and one saved to your phone. tht.org.ukCDC

• Check destination rules. Some countries restrict or ban certain meds or have entry rules for people living with HIV. Look up travel restrictions and local laws well before you book. If in doubt, contact the embassy/consulate. aidsmap.comPositive Destinations

• Sort insurance now. Standard travel policies often exclude pre-existing conditions. Look for specialist travel insurance that explicitly covers HIV or pre-existing conditions, and declare your condition honestly — failing to do so can void a claim. Consider medical evacuation (air ambulance) coverage if you’re going to remote areas. aidsmap.comjusttravelcover.com

Packing meds & paperwork — what to bring and how to carry it

• Carry meds in your carry on. Keep all ART and other prescriptions in your carry-on (not checked luggage) so they’re accessible and safe during delays. CDC

• Keep original packaging and labels. Keep pills in labeled bottles/packaging showing your name, drug name, and dosage. If you use blister packs, still bring the original prescription bottle or a printed pharmacy label. CDCThe Well Projecct

• Photocopies & digital backups. Bring a photocopy of prescriptions and the doctor’s letter, plus scanned PDFs/photos backed up in cloud storage or email. tht.org.uk

• Bring extra supply (don’t risk refills abroad). Aim for at least 2–4 weeks extra when possible, because refilling abroad can be slow or impossible, and counterfeit meds are a risk in some markets. CDCaidsmap.com

• Temperature-sensitive meds? If your meds need stable temperatures, pack a small insulated case and check refrigeration options at your destination or with your airline. Ask your pharmacist for practical tips. CDC

At security and customs — stay calm and clear

• Declare when required and show documentation. If asked, present the doctor’s letter and prescriptions. Having labels and original packaging usually prevents problems. For U.S. entry/exit, CBP guidance recommends a doctor’s letter when carrying large supplies. U.S. Customs and Border Protectiontht.org.uk

• If questioned, ask politely for a supervisor. Security staff sometimes need extra time. A calm, factual approach plus documentation usually resolves issues. If you hit legal trouble, contact your embassy/consulate. Positive DestinationsCDC

Time zones & dosing — keep that rhythm

• Plan dose timing across time zones. Don’t skip doses to “wait” until you get home. Talk to your clinician about how to shift schedules safely for flights and time changes (some regimens are forgiving, others need exact timing). aidsmap.com

• Set alarms and use pill apps. Phone alarms or medication apps help maintain adherence, especially when jetlag muddles your routine.

If something goes wrong — lost meds, illness, or missed doses

• Lost or stolen meds: Contact your prescribing clinic right away — they may send a prescription electronically to a local pharmacy or advise a short term plan. Check local laws about importing meds and work with your embassy if needed. Stanford Health CarePositive Destinations

• Can’t get the same brand? Ask your clinician before you travel about acceptable substitutes. Don’t buy pills from unverified sources; counterfeit or substandard meds are a real risk. CDCaidsmap.com

• If you fall ill: Use your travel insurance emergency number (if covered) or find an international clinic. Locate HIV friendly clinics in advance (see resources below). Keep a record of all medical visits and receipts for insurance claims.

Finding care abroad — quick resources

• HIV service locators: Use official directories like HIV.gov’s testing & care locator or local health department sites to find clinics and testing services wherever you are. Save the clinic phone numbers before you go. HIV.govHIVInfo

• Community & NGO networks: Local NGOs, LGBTQ+ centers, and regional HIV organizations often help with referrals, emergency meds, and language support. Search for positive traveler resources or local advocacy groups. Positive Destinationsaidsmap.com

• Embassy/consulate: They can provide lists of English speaking doctors or hospitals and can help with urgent problems (they don’t pay medical bills, but they help navigate local systems). Positive Destinations

Insurance: the fine print you can’t skip

• Declare HIV as a pre-existing condition when applying for a policy and compare specialist insurers that cover HIV. Read exclusions carefully (some policies exclude routine care or ART-related issues). aidsmap.comGood To Go Insurance

• Medical evacuation & repatriation: If you’re traveling to remote areas, consider coverage that includes emergency evacuation — this can be massively expensive otherwise. Verywell Health

• Keep receipts & records: For any care you receive abroad, keep originals for claims. Note dates, providers, and treatment descriptions.

Privacy, stigma, and safety — travel smart

• Be mindful of disclosure. Laws and social attitudes about HIV and LGBTQ+ people vary widely. Consider local safety and confidentiality when deciding whom to tell. CDC Yellow Book and LGB+ travel guides recommend being aware of local laws and safety risks. CDCaidsmap.com

• Use discretion with meds in public. If privacy matters, consider discreet storage and avoid openly discussing HIV in public spaces where that could risk safety.

Quick printable checklist (copy/save this)

Before travel

•  Talk with clinician + get travel check up. CDC

•  Get doctor’s letter listing meds (generic names) and diagnoses. tht.org.uk

•  Request extra supply (2–4 weeks buffer). CDC

•  Buy specialist travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions. aidsmap.com

Packing

•  All meds in carry on, original packaging + labels. CDC

•  Digital & paper copies of prescriptions and letter. tht.org.uk

•  Small insulated case if temperature-sensitive. CDC

While traveling

•  Keep meds with you at all times. CDC

•  Follow dosing plan across time zones. aidsmap.com

•  Know clinic numbers and embassy contacts. HIV.govPositive Destinations

If problems

•  Contact prescribing clinic for help with refills. Stanford Health Care

•  Use travel insurance emergency contact for medical evacuation if needed. Verywell Health

Helpful links & tools

• CDC Yellow Book: Travelers with HIV & medication guidance. CDC+1

• HIV.gov testing & care locator. HIV.gov

• Practical patient guides (AIDSmap, The Well Project) on travelling with HIV. aidsmap.comThe Well Projecct

Final note — you’ve got this

Traveling with HIV adds a few steps to trip prep, but the payoff — seeing family, exploring a new city, working abroad — is worth it. Good planning, honest paperwork, a backup supply, and a clear emergency plan keep you in control.