May 2025
Traveling can be a great way to step out of your daily routine, connect with distant family and friends, see new places, and engage in new adventures. But if you have allergies, traveling can sometimes feel daunting — maybe enough so that you’d rather stay home.
But allergies don’t mean you need to skip those fun trips. Use these four tips to plan so you can enjoy your travels despite your allergies.
Choose the best time to travel
If you have any flexibility as to when you make a particular trip, consider whether there are better — or worse — times to travel.
If you have seasonal allergies, what bothers you the most? Tree pollen? Grass pollen? Weed pollen? Are there specific species that bother you more than others? Check out this guide to allergens by state to figure out which allergens are present and when in the location you want to visit.
If mold triggers your allergies, be aware of the types of weather that fosters mold growth. Damp or humid weather is often the worst—think rainy northwest winters or hot, humid southeastern summers.
Choose your accommodations wisely
If you have a dust mite allergy, search for accommodations with carpet- free flooring.
If you’re allergic to cats or dogs, be sure to select a pet-free place.
If you have a particular concern, such as mold, search the online reviews of potential places to see if anyone has mentioned the word “mold” in a review.
If smoke triggers your allergies or asthma, be sure to select a smoke-free hotel. (Selecting a smoke-free room is not enough, as smoke can often travel into the hallways, through the HVAC systems, or even through cracks in the walls.)
Private accommodations (such as an apartment, condo, or house) can offer good protection against smoke from other rooms. They’re also more likely to have a kitchen, allowing you to prepare some of your meals yourself.
If you have food allergies, look for places with small kitchens so you can prepare some or all of your meals in your room.
Pack appropriately
If you have dust allergies, bring an allergy cover for the hotel pillow. If it’s not too inconvenient, bring your own pillow.
If you have dust or pollen allergies and are traveling by car, consider packing a HEPA air filter (if you have room). There are many different styles nowadays, and some are relatively small.
If you have food allergies, bring extra shelf-stable snacks, so you have something to eat if you can’t find safe food.
If you use an inhaler (asthma is a common comorbidity with allergies) or allergy medications, pack them — even if you don’t take them daily. It is better to be prepared than to find you need them and not have them available.
Research food options in advance
Traveling with food allergies can sometimes feel daunting. However, you can ease the hassle by doing some research before you go.
First, see what sort of information you can find online. For example, those with celiac or gluten sensitivities can look at restaurant reviews on FindMeGlutenFree.com. These reviews and ratings will let you know the extent to which a restaurant can accommodate those who can’t eat gluten.
If you’re staying somewhere that offers breakfast or an on-site restaurant, call and inquire about their ability to get you safe food. Some places will have safe options tucked away if you ask.
If you’re traveling to a non-English-speaking country, make a food allergy card in the local language before you leave. You can also keep a copy on your phone. This will allow you to communicate with waitstaff and others about your needs — even if you don’t speak their language.
