What dialysis patients say about travelling: 4 key findings from research

Do people on dialysis travel? Many would like to, but surveys show that a large share hold back. Here is what research tells us, and how we use it to organise better trips.

1. Many patients hold back

In an online survey by the UK National Kidney Federation, around 68% of respondents felt that being on dialysis held them back from booking a holiday. The main problem was getting confirmed dialysis slots near their destination (NKF).

2. Logistics are the real barrier

In a survey of patients at a dialysis unit in La Spezia, Italy, most described travelling as positive for their well-being and autonomy. The difficulties were practical: 55.6% wanted better transport between their accommodation and the centre, and 25.9% preferred morning sessions (University of Genoa, 2025).

3. Travel supports autonomy

A qualitative study of in-centre haemodialysis patients in the United States found that supporting travel can increase their sense of autonomy and quality of life, and that staff professionalism at the visited unit was a key facilitator (Hemodialysis International, 2021).

4. Patients look for practical information online

In a US survey of adults on haemodialysis, 70% had looked online for information about kidney failure in the previous month, especially practical information such as recipes and the potassium and phosphorus content of foods (Healio, 2020).

How we use these findings

• We book sessions near your hotel and can organise transfers
• We ask for your preferred session time (morning or afternoon)
• One coordinator answers on WhatsApp, in English, French and Arabic
• Our blog gives practical food guides, like our potassium chart

Useful resources

• National Kidney Foundation
• Kidney Care UK
• NHS – Dialysis

This article is general information and does not replace the advice of your nephrologist or renal team.