October 11, 2025
Whether you are heading to the mountains for a weekend getaway, flying to a resort vacation, or traveling abroad for weeks at a time, contact lenses require a bit of extra planning when you leave home. The change in routine, different environments, and the challenges of maintaining hygiene on the go can all increase your risk of eye irritation or infection. With the right preparation, though, you can keep your lenses clean and your eyes comfortable throughout any trip.
Your Travel Contact Lens Packing List
A well-prepared travel kit is the foundation of contact lens safety on the road. Here is what to pack, regardless of how long your trip is:
- Extra lenses. Bring at least twice as many contact lenses as you expect to need. If your trip is one week and you wear daily disposables, pack 14 pairs minimum. For extended-wear lenses, bring at least one full spare set. Lenses can tear, get contaminated, or fall out at the worst possible moments.
- Full-size contact lens solution. Travel-size bottles seem convenient but run out quickly, especially on longer trips. Pack a sealed, full-size bottle in your checked luggage, and a travel-size bottle (under 100 mL) in your carry-on for the flight. Never top off old solution in your case; always use fresh.
- A clean lens case. Bring a fresh case, ideally a new one. Lens cases harbour bacteria and biofilm over time, and travel conditions accelerate this. Replace the case at the start of each trip.
- Rewetting drops. Artificial tears or rewetting drops specifically designed for contact lens wearers are essential, especially for air travel. The dry cabin air on flights can make lenses uncomfortable within the first hour.
- Backup glasses. This is the most important item on the list. If a lens tears, you develop an irritation, or you lose a contact, you need a way to see. Never travel without a current pair of prescription glasses. If yours are outdated, book an eye exam before your trip to update your prescription.
- A copy of your prescription. Having your prescription on hand (or a photo on your phone) allows you to purchase replacement lenses at a pharmacy or optical shop if you run out while traveling. This is especially useful for international travel, where your specific brand may not be readily available.
- Hand sanitizer. For situations where clean running water is not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is better than handling lenses with dirty hands. Let the sanitizer dry completely before touching your lenses, as the alcohol can sting if transferred to the eye.
Flying with Contact Lenses
Airplane cabins are pressurized to an equivalent altitude of about 6,000 to 8,000 feet, and the air humidity can drop to around 10 to 20 percent, which is drier than most deserts. This low humidity causes contact lenses to dehydrate quickly, leading to discomfort, blurred vision, and the temptation to rub your eyes.
Before the Flight
For flights longer than two hours, consider switching to your glasses for the duration. If you prefer to keep contacts in, insert fresh lenses just before boarding and have rewetting drops easily accessible in your seat pocket.
During the Flight
Use rewetting drops every 30 to 60 minutes, or whenever your eyes feel dry. Avoid directing the overhead air vent toward your face, as the moving air accelerates lens dehydration. Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the flight, as systemic dehydration also reduces tear production.
After Landing
If you wore contacts during the flight, consider removing and replacing them with fresh lenses at your destination, particularly if it was a long-haul flight. The lenses will have dried out and may have accumulated cabin air particles.
Hotel and Accommodation Hygiene
Unfamiliar bathroom environments can introduce hygiene risks that you do not face at home:
- Never use tap water on your lenses. This is important everywhere, but especially when traveling to destinations where water quality varies. Tap water can contain Acanthamoeba and other microorganisms that cause serious corneal infections. For more on water-related risks, see our guide on contact lens safety for swimmers.
- Clean the bathroom counter before setting up your lens supplies. Hotel surfaces may harbour bacteria. Lay a clean tissue or paper towel down as a work surface before handling your lenses.
- Avoid the shower. Remove contacts before showering to prevent exposure to water-borne pathogens. This applies to hot tubs and hotel pools as well.
- Store solution properly. Keep your lens solution at room temperature. Do not leave it in a car during summer heat or in freezing conditions during winter travel. Extreme temperatures can alter the solution's effectiveness.
Daily Disposables: The Travel-Friendly Option
If you typically wear bi-weekly or monthly contact lenses at home, consider switching to daily disposables for your trip. The advantages for travel are significant:
- No lens case or solution needed (saving space and eliminating the risk of contaminated cases).
- Fresh, sterile lenses every morning, regardless of bathroom conditions.
- Easy to carry extras since they come in individually sealed blister packs.
- No need to worry about cleaning routines after a long day of sightseeing.
Brands like Acuvue Oasys 1-Day and Alcon Dailies Total1 are popular choices for travelers. Ask your optometrist to fit you for daily disposables before your trip so you can confirm the prescription and comfort in advance. We carry both brands at Fantastic Glasses and can help you find the best option for your next trip.
Climate-Specific Tips
Hot and Humid Destinations
Tropical heat and humidity can actually make contact lenses more comfortable than dry environments, but they also accelerate bacterial growth. Be especially diligent about washing hands before handling lenses, and never leave lenses or solution in direct sunlight or a hot vehicle.
Cold and Dry Destinations
Winter travel, whether to the Rockies or a Nordic destination, means extremely dry air both outdoors and indoors (from heating systems). Use rewetting drops frequently, and consider wearing goggles or wraparound sunglasses outdoors to reduce wind exposure on your lenses.
High-Altitude Destinations
At higher elevations, the air is thinner and drier. UV radiation is also more intense, which means quality sunglasses are essential. If you are wearing contact lenses at altitude, pair them with UV-blocking sunglasses from brands like Maui Jim or Oakley for full protection.
Dealing with Emergencies on the Road
Even with careful planning, problems can arise. Here is what to do in common contact lens emergencies while traveling:
- Torn or lost lens: Switch to your backup glasses. If you are out of spare lenses and need replacements urgently, visit a local optometrist or pharmacy with your prescription.
- Red, painful, or light-sensitive eye: Remove your contacts immediately, switch to glasses, and seek medical attention. Do not attempt to tough it out, as eye infections can escalate rapidly.
- Ran out of solution: Do not substitute water, saliva, or any other liquid. Purchase proper contact lens solution from a pharmacy, or wear your glasses until you can. In a pinch, sterile saline (from a pharmacy) can be used for rinsing, though it does not disinfect.
Prepare Before You Go
The best time to prepare for travel with contact lenses is before your trip, not at the airport. Visit Fantastic Glasses in Okotoks, Alberta, to stock up on lenses, update your prescription, and pick up a backup pair of glasses if yours are outdated. We offer a free Essilor R800 eye test with every eyewear purchase, and our 3-for-1 deal starting at $199 makes it affordable to get everyday glasses, sunglasses, and a travel pair all at once. Book your appointment or call (587) 997-3937.