Travelling with medicine

[takeabeat]

Ok, I am NOT a seasoned traveller. Haven't been on a plane since pre pandemic. So if these questions are very stupid please be kind.

I take codeine and very occasionally diazepam alongside other medications. I have contacted the country I am going to and received confirmation I can bring items in, and will travel with GP letter etc and everything in original packaging.

So questions are:
1/ does ALL my medication need to go in hand luggage ? (And why?)
2/ do I need to 'declare' going through customs?

Thank you, from an anxious traveller.

I travel a lot with epi pens and lots of meds and usually just put my pens out of my bag in the security tray. I have never got my pills out of my bag and have never been asked about them.

If you have the original packaging with the prescription sticker and your repeat prescription sheet from the pharmacy you will be fine if you are asked.

I have left meds in checked bags and it’s never been a problem but I am paranoid about checked bags being lost so tend to keep them in my hand luggage as I would die without my meds.

I put all my meds in my hand luggage - then I have it with me in case my suitcase gets lost.

1. Yes. Because the airline may misplace your hold luggage.
2. No

I have lots of medication for epilepsy, including some strong benzos. I have a letter from my gp, and always carry with me because checked bags often go missing and then I’m stuffed.

Make sure everything is in original packaging with the leaflet and your name clearly on them.

I have my meds in a small container in my hand luggage (don't want to risk not having them), I have never declared them in any country we have visited. Neither have I been asked if I am carrying any.

All meds go into hand luggage. This is because sometimes the hold bags go missing/ don't arrive at your destination.

Take a prescription list with you and everything in original boxes. You don't need to declare.

Ditto PPs. Never pack prescription meds in your hold luggage as sometimes it gets lost.

DH always carries a copy of his prescription and puts his meds in his CPAP machine case.

Common sense says keep it on you. Loads of bags are lost or delayed.

Don't declare it. Just keep forms on you so you can prove it's yours if asked.

I travel several times a year and have never ever been asked btw.

Have a good holiday.

DH is an insulin dependent diabetic. He always packs his meds in hand luggage and has a letter from the GP. He's only been asked to show the letter once.

Just put it in a clear plastic bag with pharmacy labels on containers, so that you can take out easily if they ask. Dh has travelled multiple times by plane and it has never been queried, but carries prescriptions and a gp letter in case.

Oh my gosh thank you all so much.

These were the rational, calm and informed answers I needed to quiet the monkey brain imagining me being interrogated in customs.

And yes that makes perfect sense re hand luggage, of course!