What to pack in your travel medicine kit: summer health tips from CityMD.
Whether you're headed to the beach for a weekend or flying overseas for a big summer adventure, packing a travel medicine kit can save you a lot of stress and potentially cut your trip to urgent care short.
From sunburns and stomach trouble to unexpected bug bites or stings, health issues don’t take a vacation just because you do. Having the right supplies on hand means you can treat minor issues quickly and get back to enjoying your trip.
In this guide, we’ll cover why a travel medicine kit matters (even if you’re just road-tripping a few hours away), what to include and when it makes sense to stop by CityMD before or after you go.
Why a travel medicine kit matters (even for short trips).
It’s easy to assume you’ll be fine without a first-aid kit, especially if you’re not traveling far. But even short trips can come with surprises: a scraped knee during a hike, a headache from a long drive, or an allergic reaction to a new environment.
Having a travel medicine kit packed ahead of time means you won’t be stuck searching for a pharmacy when you need something fast. It helps you manage the small stuff (like a headache, scrape, or allergy flare-up) so you can get back to enjoying your trip without delay.
Even more importantly, if you rely on daily medications or live with conditions like asthma or allergies, leaving something behind can quickly turn a relaxing trip into a stressful one.
By planning ahead and packing what you need, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother, safer experience, whether you're heading out for a weekend in the woods or catching a cross-country flight.
What should go in your travel health kit? Essentials to pack.
The best travel medicine kits are simple, compact and tailored to your destination and personal needs.
Whether you’re exploring a national park or relaxing at a resort, here are the essentials to include:
1. Basic first-aid supplies.
- Adhesive bandages (in various sizes)
- Antiseptic wipes or ointment
- Tweezers and small scissors
- Gauze pads and medical tape
2. Over-the-counter medications.
- Pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- Antihistamines for allergies or bug bites
- Anti-diarrheal medication and antacids
- Motion sickness remedies (especially for flights or boat trips)
- Cough drops or throat lozenges
3. Prescription medications.
- Be sure to pack your daily medications, along with a few extra days’ supply just in case.
- Inhalers, EpiPens, or other emergency-use medications if needed
- A printed list of your medications and dosages, in case you need to replace something on the road
4. Skin and sun care.
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Aloe vera gel or hydrocortisone cream for sunburns or rashes
- Insect repellent
5. Extras worth having.
- Thermometer
- Hand sanitizer
- Digital copies of health insurance info and vaccine records
- Rehydration salts or electrolyte packets, especially for hot or tropical destinations
Tailor your kit to where you’re going.
For example, heading abroad? Add water purification tablets. Camping? Bring blister pads and bug bite relief. The goal is to make sure you can handle the little stuff. That way, small health issues won’t derail your trip.
When to visit CityMD before (or after) your trip.
A quick visit to CityMD before your trip can give you peace of mind, especially if you’re traveling somewhere unfamiliar or outside the country.
Our providers can:
- Review any prescription refills you might need
- Recommend travel-specific vaccinations (like hepatitis A or typhoid, depending on your destination)
- Offer guidance on over-the-counter medications to pack based on where you’re going and your health history
- Provide care if you’re starting to feel sick before your trip and aren’t sure whether to traveI.
If you come home feeling under the weather, whether it's a lingering cough, stomach trouble, or something you picked up abroad, CityMD is here to help with that, too.
Just walk into any CityMD location, no appointment needed. We’ll help you recover quickly and get back to your routine.
We’re ready to care for you.
Visit any CityMD urgent care location in your community today for an evaluation with one of our expert providers.