Travel Health Checklist

Review practical health preparation steps before a trip, including medications, insurance, local requirements, and destination-specific planning. Check air quality, UV, water safety, and recommended vaccinations for where you are headed. Always confirm details with official local or government health sources.

Before-trip health preparation

Select a destination to see current air quality and UV levels, water safety guidance, and which vaccinations are commonly recommended for that region, alongside a checklist of preparation steps.

This is a planning aid, not medical advice. Anything specific to you — existing conditions, medication, pregnancy, travelling with children — is a conversation with a healthcare professional, ideally several weeks before departure, because some vaccinations need time to take effect.

Medication checklist

  • Enough of each prescription for the whole trip, plus a few days spare.
  • Original labeled packaging, and a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor.
  • Medication in your carry-on, not in checked luggage.
  • A check on whether your destination restricts any of your medications — some common ingredients are controlled in certain countries.
  • Generic names noted down as well as brand names, which differ between countries.

Insurance and emergency contacts

Confirm that your policy covers your destination, your trip length, and any activities you have planned, since adventure sports and motorbike hire are common exclusions. Check whether it covers medical repatriation.

  • Policy number and the insurer emergency line, saved offline on your phone and written on paper.
  • The local emergency number for your destination, which is not 911 or 112 everywhere.
  • Your embassy or consulate contact details.
  • A next-of-kin contact somebody travelling with you can find.

Destination-specific requirements

Entry vaccination rules, recommended immunizations, and health advisories vary by country and change over time. Some countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry, and some require it only if you are arriving from particular regions.

Check the guidance published by your own government and by the destination close to your departure date, since a requirement can appear after you have booked.

A basic travel health kit

  • Pain relief and anti-inflammatory tablets.
  • Rehydration salts.
  • Plasters, antiseptic wipes, and a small roll of tape.
  • Anti-diarrhoeal and motion-sickness tablets if you are prone to either.
  • Antihistamines and insect repellent where relevant to the destination.
  • Hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and any personal items such as contact lens solution.

Where to check official sources

Use official channels for anything that affects entry or your health: your own government travel health service, the destination health ministry, and the World Health Organization for regional advisories. Those are the sources that are current and authoritative.

The figures shown here come from public data feeds and are useful for a general picture of conditions. They are not a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional or an official advisory.

Frequently asked questions

What health items should I check before international travel?

Review recommended vaccinations, any medications you take, travel insurance, water and food safety at your destination, and current local health advisories. Confirm anything time-sensitive with official government or local health sources before you travel.

What should I pack in a travel health kit?

A basic kit usually includes any prescription medication in its original packaging, pain relief, rehydration salts, plasters and antiseptic, motion-sickness or allergy tablets if you need them, and hand sanitizer. Adjust based on your destination and activities.

Should I check destination health requirements before a trip?

Yes. Entry vaccination rules, recommended immunizations, and health advisories vary by country and change over time. Check official government or local health sources close to your departure date.

What should I do before traveling with medication?

Carry medication in its original labeled packaging, bring enough for the whole trip plus a small buffer, keep it in your carry-on, and check whether your destination restricts any ingredients. A copy of the prescription can help at borders.