Traveling to another city or state to participate in a clinical trial can create significant costs for patients and care partners. These costs may include airfare, gas, mileage, parking, lodging, meals, and other expenses.
Financial assistance may be available. Because programs and funding change frequently, check directly with each organization for current eligibility and availability.
Start Here: Ask the Clinical Trial Team
Before enrolling in a clinical trial or making travel arrangements, ask the study coordinator or research nurse:
- Does the trial reimburse travel expenses?
- Are airfare, mileage, gas, parking, or ground transportation covered?
- Is lodging provided or reimbursed?
- Are meals covered?
- Can a care partner’s travel and lodging be covered?
- Are there limits on the amount or frequency of reimbursement?
- Can travel expenses incurred during the screening process be reimbursed?
- Do I need approval before booking travel?
- How and when will I be reimbursed?
Some clinical trials may provide travel, transportation, or lodging assistance, but what is available varies by study. Be sure to ask the clinical trial team about available assistance before beginning trial-related travel.
Blood Cancer United — Susan Lang Pay-It-Forward Patient Travel Assistance
Blood Cancer United (formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) offers travel assistance programs for people with blood cancers.
The Susan Lang Pay-It-Forward Patient Travel Assistance Program can provide $500 for eligible blood cancer patients with significant financial need. Covered expenses may include ground transportation, tolls, gas, parking, car rental, air transportation, baggage fees, lodging, and ambulance services.
Blood Cancer United currently lists both a CLL Travel Fund and a Clinical Trial Travel Fund. Funding status can change, so patients should check the program regularly or call Blood Cancer United for the most current information.
Blood Cancer United Travel Assistance
Phone: 877-557-2672
Corporate Angel Network — Free Flights for Cancer Clinical Trials
Corporate Angel Network provides free air transportation for cancer patients traveling to recognized cancer treatment centers. Importantly, eligibility specifically includes patients traveling for a clinical trial.
There is no financial-need requirement, and a care partner may be able to accompany the patient when an additional seat is available. Patients must be medically stable and able to travel without medical assistance during the flight.
Flights are subject to availability, and requests should generally be submitted at least 10 business days before the appointment.
Phone: 914-328-1313
Air Care Alliance — Find Free Volunteer-Pilot Flights
The Air Care Alliance connects patients with nonprofit volunteer-pilot organizations. The alliance provides free flights for medical care. Its network specifically includes clinical trials, cancer treatment, specialized treatment, and second opinions.
Patients can submit one request and connect with an organization that serves their area.
Air Care Alliance — Free Flights to Medical Care
This option may be particularly helpful for patients who need to travel long distances and are able to travel on a small aircraft without medical assistance.
Family Reach — Transportation and Financial Assistance
Family Reach helps people facing cancer with financial barriers that can interfere with treatment. The Financial Resource Center provides information and assistance related to transportation, housing, food, utilities, and other basic needs.
Family Reach also has a Clinical Trial Access initiative, designed to reduce financial barriers to clinical-trial participation. The organization’s current dedicated Clinical Trial Access Fund may be limited to specific trials, so CLL patients should check current eligibility. Patients may also use the broader Financial Resource Center to identify available transportation and other assistance.
Family Reach Financial Resource Center
American Cancer Society — Hope Lodge
The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge program provides free lodging for eligible cancer patients and care partners who must travel away from home for outpatient cancer-related care.
Hope Lodge currently has locations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Availability and eligibility vary by location. If there is no Hope Lodge near the clinical-trial site, the American Cancer Society may be able to identify other lodging resources.
American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
Phone: 800-227-2345
Joe’s House — Discounted Lodging
Joe’s House is a national nonprofit lodging resource for cancer patients and their families. The website provides a searchable list of hotels and other lodging options near cancer treatment centers, many offering discounted rates.
This organization can be particularly useful when a clinical trial requires repeated visits or an extended stay.
Phone: 877-563-7468
Mercy Medical Angels — Travel Assistance
Mercy Medical Angels provides transportation assistance to patients who need to travel for medical care. Depending on eligibility and availability, assistance may include gas cards, volunteer-pilot flights, and commercial airline assistance.
The organization notes that its programs can assist patients traveling for cancer treatment and clinical trials. Income limits apply to some programs.
TotalAssist Transportation Fund
TotalAssist, the unified financial assistance program of Patient Advocate Foundation following its 2026 merger with the PAN Foundation, offers a Transportation Fund that can provide up to $500 for eligible transportation and travel expenses, including airfare, gas, parking, tolls, car rentals, and lodging. The fund can help patients traveling to medical appointments and other activities that support their health. The fund is currently closed to new applications, but patients can sign up to be notified when it reopens. Eligibility requirements apply.
Other Resources to Check
HealthWell Foundation: HealthWell has a General Travel Fund that can assist with eligible treatment-related transportation expenses. Patients can check the status periodically because funds may reopen when additional funding becomes available.
HealthWell Foundation General Travel Fund
CancerCare: CancerCare has developed the Gets You There Transportation Assistance Fund, which is specifically designed to address travel costs associated with cancer treatment and clinical trials. The program currently is seeking funding and is not yet open for new assistance, so patients should check back for updates.
CancerCare Gets You There Transportation Assistance Fund
Important: Do not assume that a clinical trial will reimburse travel expenses. Policies vary by trial, and some programs require approval before expenses are incurred.