Guide
Travel first-aid kit — what to pack
Prepared by the LekCheck team · Last reviewed: 2026-07-25 · How we create our content
A well-prepared travel kit saves worry over minor health problems away from home. The contents depend on the destination, the length of the trip and who is travelling (children, chronic conditions). Below is a practical list of the most commonly useful items; choose an ingredient to see available products and prices. Carry your personal prescription medicines in sufficient quantity and in their original packaging.
This guide was prepared by the LekCheck team and has not been reviewed by a doctor or pharmacist. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not start, stop, or change any treatment without consulting a doctor or pharmacist.
Painkillers and fever reducers
A pain and fever remedy such as paracetamol or ibuprofen covers headaches, aches and a raised temperature. Carry doses suitable for the travellers (including children's forms for children) and follow the recommended doses. Do not combine several products containing the same active ingredient.
Stomach and gut problems
Diarrhoea and stomach discomfort are common when travelling. Useful items are a remedy for acute diarrhoea (e.g. loperamide, with extra caution), electrolyte sachets for rehydration and possibly something for heartburn. With diarrhoea, keeping up fluids and salts matters most, especially in children and older people.
Wounds, bites and allergy
For small injuries, an antiseptic (e.g. povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine), plasters and sterile dressings are useful, while dexpanthenol helps with minor burns and irritated skin. An antihistamine (e.g. cetirizine) can ease an allergic reaction or itching from a bite. For a severe allergic reaction, seek emergency help.
Practical tips
Check expiry dates before travelling and match the contents to the destination (sunscreen, insect repellent, a motion-sickness remedy). When travelling abroad, carry any prescription or document for your personal medicines and check the rules on importing medicines. For chronic conditions, consult a doctor before a long trip.
Commonly used active ingredients
Pick an ingredient to see products and prices.
Frequently asked questions
What should I definitely put in a travel first-aid kit?
A practical base includes a pain and fever remedy, a diarrhoea remedy and electrolyte sachets, an antiseptic, plasters and sterile dressings, an antihistamine, and your personal prescription medicines in sufficient quantity. Match the contents to the destination and who is travelling.
How do I carry medicines when flying?
Carry important and personal medicines in your hand luggage, in their original packaging, and for prescription medicines it is sensible to have a prescription or a doctor's document. Check the airline's and the country's rules on liquids and importing medicines before you travel.
What should I include in a kit for a child?
For children, choose children's forms of the fever and pain remedies (dosed by weight and age), electrolyte rehydration products, an antiseptic and plasters, as well as sun protection. Doses in children depend on weight — consult a paediatrician or pharmacist if unsure.
Do I need a motion-sickness remedy?
If you or the travellers are prone to motion sickness (in a car, on a boat or a plane), it is handy to carry a suitable remedy. Ask a pharmacist which product suits the age and situation and when to take it, as some are taken before the journey.
How do I check my medicines are not expired?
Review the packs before every trip and replace products that are expired or nearing their expiry date. Store the kit in a cool, dry place away from direct light, and check the storage instructions for each product in its leaflet.