Travel Health & First Aid: What to Pack, What to Skip, and How to Stay Well Abroad

Build a travel-friendly first aid kit for safe, stress-free journeys worldwide.

Health Is the Real Luxury

When we started traveling seriously -- long before we ever became a travel advisors -- a used to think a couple of Band-Aids and some ibuprofen tossed in a backpack would do the trick. But then there came a time David caught a stomach bug the night before we were scheduled to catch an early morning puddle jumper back to the mainland, and Emma was forced to find a pharmacy (that turned out to be pretty sketchy) in order to get him some medicine. Lesson learned. We now travel with a mini pharmacy, which has come in handy and even made us some new friends along the way.

No matter how epic your itinerary, travel can grind to a halt if a simple blister or stomach bug sidelines you. A good travel health kit doesn’t need to be bulky -- it needs to be smart.

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Our Core First Aid Kit

Always start with the basics:

• Blister pads (because trekking boots + wet socks = blisters waiting to happen)

• Adhesive bandages in multiple sizes

• Antiseptic wipes

• Travel-sized pain reliever (ibuprofen or acetaminophen)

• Oral rehydration salts

• Antihistamine for allergic reactions

• A few doses of an anti-diarrheal (especially important in parts of Asia or South America)

• A couple of individually wrapped sterile dressings

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Personal Medications & Documents

Keep any prescription meds in their original packaging and stash a digital copy of the associated prescriptions in a cloud folder. If you’re traveling with kids, always carry children’s versions of pain/fever reducers -- especially if you’re going somewhere remote.

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Altitude, Water, and Food

If you’re heading to places like Cusco, the Dolomites, or Ladakh, altitude can sneak up on you. Here's one of the best -- and simplest -- approaches:

• Stay hydrated, and ascend gradually if possible

• Carry a few altitude tablets (with your doctor’s advice)

• Include a lightweight water filter or iodine tablets for treks

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Travel Health Hacks to Live By

• Split your meds: Half in your carry-on, half in checked luggage (in case one goes missing)

• Ziploc is your friend: Moisture is the enemy of everything

• Know the local emergency number: It’s not always 911

• Pack for unpredictable weather: Read our guide to Weather-Smart Packing

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A solid first aid kit isn't about preparing for a disaster -- it's about staying comfortable, confident, and self-sufficient when small hiccups happen. Got questions? We've got answers (and it helps that Emma is a trained Family Nurse Practitioner). Contact us to find out more about being health-conscious while you travel.