Travel Pharmacy: What You Really Need to Pack
Your health guide for holidays – from the travel pharmacy to vaccinations and the right insurance.
10 minutes · By the HolidayGenie editorial team · Updated:
What should go in a travel first-aid kit?
A basic travel first-aid kit should contain a painkiller such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, an anti-diarrhoea remedy plus electrolyte powder, wound-care supplies, a thermometer, cold remedies and an antihistamine. On top of that, check your vaccinations for your destination and take out travel health insurance, as statutory health insurance usually pays nothing outside Europe.
Important Notice
This guide does not replace professional medical advice. If you have pre-existing conditions or are travelling to tropical regions, please consult a travel-medicine specialist. Most GPs offer travel-health consultations.
Which medicines belong in a basic travel first-aid kit?
These medications belong in every travel kit, whether it is a weekend trip or a three-week long-haul holiday:
Painkillers
Ibuprofen 400 or paracetamol 500. Helps with headaches, toothache, mild fever and sunburn pain.
Anti-diarrhoea medication
Loperamide (e.g. Imodium) as an immediate remedy plus electrolyte powder to restore fluids. The most common travel illness in warm countries!
Wound care
Plasters (various sizes), wound-disinfectant spray, sterile compresses. For minor injuries on the go.
Thermometer
Digital, small and light. Essential for assessing whether you need to see a doctor.
Cold remedies
Nasal spray, throat lozenges, cough syrup. Yes, you can catch a cold even on a beach holiday (air conditioning!).
Antihistamine
Cetirizine or loratadine for allergic reactions and insect bites. Cooling gel for swelling.
Which vaccinations do I need for my trip?
Every traveller should be up to date with the standard vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, as well as measles, mumps, and rubella. Depending on the destination, additional travel vaccinations may be required, such as hepatitis A and B or typhoid for Southeast Asia and yellow fever for many countries in Africa and South America; make sure to seek travel medical advice in good time.
Standard vaccinations (everyone should have these)
- Tetanus / diphtheria / whooping cough: Booster every 10 years
- Measles / mumps / rubella: If born after 1970 and only vaccinated once, a top-up is recommended
- COVID-19: Check your current vaccination status
Travel vaccinations (depending on destination)
South-East Asia / India
- ✓ Hepatitis A + B
- ✓ Typhoid
- ✓ Japanese encephalitis (for longer stays)
- ✓ Rabies (if animal contact is possible)
Sub-Saharan Africa
- ✓ Yellow fever (mandatory!)
- ✓ Hepatitis A + B
- ✓ Typhoid
- ✓ Malaria prophylaxis (tablets)
South America
- ✓ Yellow fever (mandatory in some countries)
- ✓ Hepatitis A
- ✓ Typhoid
Europe / North America
- ✓ Standard vaccinations usually suffice
- ✓ TBE in tick-risk areas (Scandinavia, Balkans)
Timeline: Schedule your vaccination appointment at least 6–8 weeks before departure. Some vaccinations require multiple doses at intervals. Most health-insurance providers cover the cost of recommended travel vaccinations.
Do I need travel health insurance?
An absolute must! Your standard domestic health insurance only covers care in EU/EEA countries – and even there, only at local rates (often less than in your home country). Outside Europe, you pay for everything yourself. A hospital stay in the US can easily cost 10,000–50,000 EUR.
A good international health-insurance policy costs around 10–15 EUR per year (annual policy) or 1–3 EUR per day of travel. It covers doctor visits, hospital stays and repatriation.
All packed? Time for your holiday!
