Traveling With an Ostomy: How to Pack, Fly, and Relax

You can travel anywhere with an ostomy, including flying. The keys are to pack at least twice the supplies you expect to need, keep them in your carry-on, and carry a travel certificate to make airport security easier. Thousands of ostomates fly, road-trip, cruise, and travel abroad every year. With a little planning, your ostomy should not hold you back from any of it.

This guide covers packing, airport security, flying, food and water, swimming, and the few extra steps for traveling abroad.

How do I pack ostomy supplies for travel?

Pack at least double the supplies you expect to use, and keep them all in your carry-on or hand luggage. The most common travel problem is running short after a delay, or losing supplies in checked luggage that goes missing. Doubling up and keeping them with you removes both risks at once.

A simple packing approach:

• Calculate your need, then double it. Count the changes you would normally do for the trip length and pack twice that many.
• Carry it on. Keep your supplies in your hand luggage, never only in a checked bag.
• Split a backup. Put a few days of supplies in a separate bag, in case one bag is lost or stolen.
• Pre-cut your barriers before you fly, since scissors may be restricted in your carry-on.
• Pack a small kit for on-the-go changes: a couple of pouches, a barrier ring, wipes, a disposal bag, and a change of clothing.

How do I get through airport security with an ostomy?

Airport security is the part that worries people most, and it is more straightforward than it sounds. You do not have to remove or show your pouch, and you can ask for a private screening at any time.

• Carry a travel certificate or TSA notification card. This is a short card or letter that explains you have a stoma and carry medical supplies. Your stoma nurse or a national ostomy association can provide one. In the United States, the TSA notification card serves this purpose.
• Your supplies can go through in your carry-on. Medical supplies are allowed, and liquids related to a medical condition are generally exempt from the standard limits, though you should declare them.
• You can request a private screening with a discreet officer if any additional check is needed. You are within your rights to ask.

For official guidance, the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) publishes a travel communication card and travel tips you can print before you go.

Does flying affect an ostomy?

Flying is fine with an ostomy, with one small thing to know. Cabin pressure changes can cause your pouch to balloon a little with gas, so empty it before boarding and again during a long flight. Choose an aisle seat if you can, so getting to the bathroom is easy. Many ostomates find a filtered pouch helps with gas on a plane. For more on managing gas and odor, see how to stop ostomy bag odor.

What about food and water when traveling?

Eat and drink sensibly, the same as any traveler, with a little extra care about hydration. In places where tap water is not safe, use bottled or purified water both for drinking and for rinsing supplies, and be cautious with foods that tend to upset your output. Staying well hydrated matters more with an ileostomy, which loses more fluid, so carry water and oral rehydration sachets on long journeys and in hot climates.

Can I swim and go to the beach with an ostomy?

Yes. You can swim in a pool or the sea with an ostomy, and your pouch is designed to stay sealed in water. Empty it before you swim, and check that the edges of your barrier are pressed down well. A waterproof barrier ring or a strip of waterproof tape around the edges adds confidence. High-waisted swimwear or patterned fabrics keep things discreet if you prefer. A secure seal is what lets you relax in the water, which is exactly where a good barrier ring earns its place.

Why a secure seal matters most when you travel

Heat, sweat, swimming, and a packed schedule all test your seal, and a leak far from home is the one thing every traveler wants to avoid. A moldable barrier ring fills the gaps and folds around the stoma where leaks start, so you can move through airports, beaches, and long days with one less worry. Two popular Hollister options:

If you want to refresh your routine before a trip, our step-by-step on how to change an ostomy bag and how to keep peristomal skin healthy both help.

Anything extra for traveling abroad?

A few simple extras make international travel smoother:

• Keep supplies in their original boxes where you can, so labels are clear at customs.
• Note the product names and reference numbers you use, in case you need to buy more while away.
• Carry a travel certificate in the local language if possible, or a translation, for the destination you are visiting.
• Check travel insurance covers your stoma as a pre-existing condition.
• Look up a local ostomy association at your destination, which can point you to supplies if needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can you fly with an ostomy?

Yes. Flying is safe and common with an ostomy. Empty your pouch before boarding and during long flights, since cabin pressure can cause it to fill with gas, and keep your supplies in your carry-on.

How many ostomy supplies should I take on a trip?

Take at least twice what you expect to use. Count your normal changes for the length of the trip and double it, to cover delays, heat, or extra changes. Keep them in your hand luggage and split a few days' worth into a separate bag as a backup.

Will airport security make me show my ostomy bag?

No. You do not have to remove or show your pouch. Carry a travel certificate or TSA notification card explaining you have a stoma, and you can request a private screening if any further check is needed.

Can I swim with an ostomy?

Yes. Pouches are designed to stay sealed in water. Empty the pouch before swimming, press the barrier edges down well, and consider a waterproof ring or tape around the edges for extra security.

How do I keep my ostomy bag secure in hot weather?

Heat and sweat can loosen a seal, so make sure the skin is clean and dry at application, use a moldable barrier ring to fill any gaps, and check the edges through the day. Carry spares so you can change promptly if a seal starts to lift.

Written by the Adhereskin Care Team. This guide is general information, not medical advice. Follow your stoma nurse's advice for your situation. Sources: United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) travel resources and manufacturer guidance.