International Travel Checklist: Complete Health & Safety Guide

How Should I Review My Travel Insurance?

Before traveling internationally, ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, and repatriation. Standard health insurance often provides limited or no coverage abroad, and medical costs in many countries can be substantial without proper insurance.

Travel insurance is one of the most important aspects of international travel preparation, yet it's frequently overlooked. Medical emergencies abroad can result in costs ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the nature of the emergency and the destination country. Understanding your coverage before you travel can prevent financial catastrophe and ensure you receive appropriate care.

Your regular health insurance policy may provide some international coverage, but this coverage is typically limited. Many policies only cover emergencies for a short period, may not cover evacuation to a medical facility of appropriate standard, and often exclude pre-existing conditions entirely when traveling. Contact your insurance provider directly to understand exactly what is and isn't covered during international travel.

A comprehensive travel insurance policy should include several key components. Emergency medical treatment coverage ensures that hospitalization, surgery, and medical procedures are paid for if you become ill or injured. Medical evacuation coverage is crucial because it pays for transportation to an appropriate medical facility if local care is inadequate, or back to your home country if medically necessary. Repatriation coverage handles the costs of returning your remains to your home country in the worst-case scenario.

What to Look for in Travel Insurance

When selecting travel insurance, consider your specific needs and the nature of your trip. Adventure travelers should verify that their policy covers activities like hiking, skiing, or diving. Business travelers may need coverage for trip interruption and equipment. Families should ensure all members are adequately covered, including children.

• Medical Coverage Limit: Minimum $100,000 for developed countries, higher for remote destinations
• Evacuation Coverage: Should cover transport to appropriate medical facility or home country
• Pre-existing Conditions: Check whether chronic conditions are covered and under what circumstances
• 24/7 Assistance Line: Ensure you can reach help at any time of day or night
• Direct Payment: Policies that pay hospitals directly are preferable to reimbursement-only policies

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and GHIC

If you're a citizen of an EU country, EEA country, or Switzerland, you should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the UK's Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). These cards entitle you to state-provided healthcare during temporary stays in other participating countries under the same conditions as residents of that country. However, these cards are not a substitute for travel insurance as they don't cover private healthcare, medical repatriation, or trip cancellation.

What Vaccinations Do I Need Before Traveling?

Vaccination requirements depend on your destination, planned activities, and personal health status. Common travel vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, and Japanese encephalitis. Schedule a consultation with a travel health specialist 4-6 weeks before departure.

Travel vaccinations are a critical component of pre-travel health preparation, and understanding your vaccination needs requires careful consideration of multiple factors. The vaccines you need depend not only on where you're going but also on how long you'll stay, what activities you'll engage in, and your current vaccination status. Some vaccines are legally required for entry into certain countries, while others are strongly recommended to protect your health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintain comprehensive, regularly updated recommendations for vaccinations by country and region. These recommendations are based on current disease patterns, outbreak surveillance, and the specific health risks present in each area. However, individual recommendations may vary based on your personal health history, age, and immune status.

Planning ahead is essential because many travel vaccines require multiple doses given over several weeks to achieve full protection. For example, the hepatitis B vaccine series typically requires three doses over six months for complete protection, though accelerated schedules are available. The Japanese encephalitis vaccine requires two doses given 28 days apart. If you're traveling on short notice, discuss expedited vaccination schedules with your healthcare provider.

Routine Vaccinations

Before focusing on travel-specific vaccines, ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date. This includes protection against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and influenza. Many of these diseases are more common in other parts of the world, and your immunity may have waned since childhood vaccination. A tetanus booster is recommended every 10 years, or sooner if you sustain a contaminated wound.

Common Travel Vaccinations

Vaccination Certificates

Some countries require proof of vaccination against certain diseases for entry. Yellow fever vaccination is the most common requirement, with many countries in Africa and South America requiring an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) showing yellow fever vaccination. Some countries may also require COVID-19 vaccination documentation. The vaccination certificate must be issued by an authorized vaccination center and stamped with the center's official stamp.

How Do I Travel With Prescription Medications?

Keep prescription medications in their original pharmacy-labeled containers and carry a doctor's letter listing all medications, dosages, and your medical conditions. Some medications that are legal in your home country may be restricted or prohibited elsewhere, so check destination country regulations before traveling.

Traveling with prescription medications requires careful planning to ensure you have continuous access to your treatment while avoiding legal complications. Different countries have varying regulations about what medications can be imported, even for personal use. What's considered a routine prescription in your home country could be a controlled substance requiring special permits, or even completely prohibited, in your destination.

The most important principle is to keep all medications in their original packaging with the pharmacy labels intact. These labels serve as proof that the medication was legally prescribed to you and provide essential information about the prescribing physician, dispensing pharmacy, and medication details. If you use pill organizers for convenience at home, consider using them only during your trip while keeping the original containers with you for customs and security checks.

Obtain a letter from your prescribing physician before you travel. This letter should be on official letterhead and include your name, passport details if possible, a list of all medications with generic and brand names, dosages and administration schedules, the medical conditions being treated, and a statement that the medications are medically necessary. Having this letter translated into the local language of your destination can be helpful, particularly in countries where English is not widely spoken in official settings.

Controlled Substances and Narcotics

Medications classified as controlled substances in your home country often require additional documentation for international travel. This includes many pain medications containing opioids, some anxiety medications, stimulants for ADHD, and certain sleep aids. Contact the embassy or consulate of your destination country well in advance to understand their specific requirements, which may include import permits or certificates from your national health authority.

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) provides guidelines for traveling with controlled substances, but implementation varies by country. Some countries have extremely strict drug laws and may not recognize foreign prescriptions regardless of supporting documentation. Research is essential, as violations can result in serious legal consequences including imprisonment.

• Original Packaging: Keep all medications in their original pharmacy containers with labels
• Doctor's Letter: Carry official documentation explaining your medical needs
• Adequate Supply: Bring enough medication for your entire trip plus extra for unexpected delays
• Split Storage: Divide medications between carry-on and checked luggage in case one is lost
• Research Restrictions: Contact destination embassies about any controlled substance regulations

Medication Quantity Limits

Many countries limit the quantity of medication that travelers can bring for personal use. A common restriction is a 90-day supply, though some countries allow less or require specific documentation for larger quantities. If your trip is longer than the allowed supply, investigate options for obtaining medications legally at your destination, such as international prescription transfers or identifying equivalent medications available locally.

What Should I Include in a Travel First Aid Kit?

A well-equipped travel first aid kit should include pain relievers, antihistamines, anti-diarrheal medication, oral rehydration salts, bandages, antiseptic supplies, insect repellent, and sunscreen. Customize your kit based on your destination, activities, and personal health needs.

A thoughtfully assembled travel first aid kit is your first line of defense against minor health issues that could otherwise disrupt your trip. The contents should be tailored to your specific destination, planned activities, trip duration, and personal health requirements. What you pack for a business trip to a major European city will differ significantly from what you'd need for a trek through remote regions of Southeast Asia.

Start with the essentials that address the most common travel health issues. Digestive problems, particularly traveler's diarrhea, affect a significant proportion of international travelers. Pain and fever can result from various causes including altitude sickness, sun exposure, or minor illnesses. Cuts, scrapes, and insect bites are common during active travel. Having the right supplies on hand means you can address these issues promptly without searching for a pharmacy in an unfamiliar place where you may not speak the language.

Quality matters when assembling your kit. Purchase medications from reputable sources before departing, as counterfeit medications are a significant problem in some parts of the world. Check expiration dates on all items and replace anything that's expired or will expire during your trip. Store medications according to their requirements, as some may be sensitive to heat or humidity.

Essential First Aid Kit Contents

• Pain and Fever Relievers: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen for pain, headaches, and fever reduction
• Antihistamines: For allergic reactions, insect bites, hay fever, and motion sickness prevention
• Anti-diarrheal Medication: Loperamide (Imodium) for symptomatic relief of diarrhea
• Oral Rehydration Salts: Essential for treating dehydration from diarrhea, vomiting, or heat exposure
• Antacids: For heartburn and indigestion, which are common with dietary changes
• Antiseptic Wipes and Solution: For cleaning wounds before dressing
• Antibiotic Ointment: For preventing infection in minor cuts and scrapes
• Adhesive Bandages: Variety of sizes for minor wounds and blisters
• Gauze and Medical Tape: For larger wounds requiring more coverage
• Tweezers: For splinter and tick removal
• Digital Thermometer: For accurate fever monitoring
• Insect Repellent: DEET-based (20-30%) or picaridin for mosquito-borne disease prevention
• Sunscreen: SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum protection
• Aloe Vera Gel: For sunburn relief

Destination-Specific Additions

Depending on where you're traveling, additional items may be necessary. For tropical destinations where mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, or Zika are present, bring permethrin-treated clothing and a bed net impregnated with insecticide. If you're traveling to areas with limited medical facilities, consider adding antibiotics prescribed for traveler's diarrhea and a basic suture kit. High-altitude destinations warrant inclusion of acetazolamide (if prescribed) for altitude sickness prevention.

What Emergency Contacts Should I Save Before Traveling?

Save your travel insurance 24/7 assistance number, local emergency services numbers for your destination, your country's embassy or consulate contact information, and ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts in your phone. These numbers should be readily accessible even if your phone battery dies.

Having immediate access to emergency contacts can make a critical difference when medical emergencies, accidents, or security incidents occur during travel. The stress of an emergency situation, combined with unfamiliar surroundings and potential language barriers, makes it essential to have all important numbers readily accessible without having to search for them in the moment.

Your travel insurance assistance line is perhaps the most important number to have. These services operate around the clock and can coordinate emergency medical care, arrange hospital admissions, communicate with healthcare providers in the local language, and organize medical evacuation if necessary. They can also handle direct billing with hospitals, preventing you from having to pay large sums upfront and seek reimbursement later.

Local emergency numbers vary by country and are essential knowledge. In the European Union, 112 works across all member states and connects to emergency services. In the United States it's 911, while other countries have different numbers. Research and save the specific emergency numbers for each country on your itinerary before departure, as emergency situations don't wait for you to look up phone numbers.

ICE - In Case of Emergency Contacts

ICE (In Case of Emergency) is an international standard for storing emergency contact information in mobile phones. Medical personnel and emergency responders are trained to look for ICE contacts when treating an unresponsive patient. Adding "ICE" before the contact name (e.g., "ICE Mom" or "ICE Partner") makes these contacts immediately identifiable.

Your ICE contacts should be people who can make medical decisions on your behalf if you're unable to communicate, who know your medical history and any allergies, and who can be reached at any time of day or night. Inform these contacts that they're listed as your ICE contacts and ensure they have copies of your travel itinerary, travel insurance details, and any relevant medical information.

• Travel Insurance Assistance: 24/7 hotline number provided by your policy
• Local Emergency Services: Police, ambulance, and fire for each destination
• Embassy/Consulate: Your country's diplomatic mission at your destination
• ICE Contacts: Family members or friends who can assist in emergencies
• Primary Doctor: Your regular physician who knows your medical history
• Bank/Credit Card: Lost card reporting numbers that work internationally

Embassy and Consulate Services

Your country's embassy or consulate can provide valuable assistance during serious emergencies abroad. They can help locate medical care, contact family members, assist in cases of arrest or detention, issue emergency travel documents if your passport is lost or stolen, and provide guidance during civil unrest or natural disasters. However, embassies cannot pay your medical bills, get you out of jail, or intervene in private legal matters.

How Should I Research Health Risks at My Destination?

Check the WHO and CDC travel health websites for current disease outbreaks, vaccination requirements, and destination-specific health advice. Research local food and water safety, malaria risk if applicable, and any current health alerts or travel advisories for your destination.

Thorough research of health risks at your destination enables you to take appropriate preventive measures before and during travel. Health conditions can change rapidly due to disease outbreaks, seasonal variations in disease transmission, or environmental factors. What was safe last year may present new risks this year, making up-to-date research essential.

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides comprehensive information on health conditions in all countries, including required vaccinations, disease outbreaks, and specific health recommendations. The CDC's Travelers' Health website offers detailed, regularly updated health information organized by destination, including recommendations for vaccines, preventive medications, and health precautions. These should be your primary sources for travel health information.

Beyond official health organization websites, understanding local conditions helps you prepare appropriately. Research whether tap water is safe to drink at your destination. In many countries, drinking only bottled or purified water is necessary to prevent gastrointestinal illnesses. This also means being cautious about ice in drinks, raw fruits and vegetables washed in local water, and swimming in freshwater where parasites may be present.

Food and Water Safety

Contaminated food and water cause the majority of travel-related illnesses. The risk varies significantly by destination and the type of establishment where you eat. General guidelines for reducing risk include eating freshly cooked, hot foods; avoiding raw or undercooked meat and seafood; peeling fruits yourself rather than eating pre-cut fruit; and drinking only bottled, boiled, or purified water.

Street food can be one of the highlights of travel but requires careful selection. Choose vendors with high turnover (food doesn't sit around), where you can see food being cooked fresh at high temperatures. Avoid pre-prepared foods that may have been sitting at room temperature. When in doubt, follow the advice of experienced travelers: if you can't peel it, boil it, or cook it, forget it.

Malaria and Mosquito-Borne Disease Risk

If traveling to areas where malaria is present, discuss antimalarial medication with a travel medicine specialist well before departure. The specific medication recommended depends on the malaria species present at your destination, drug resistance patterns, your health status, and other medications you may be taking. Some antimalarials must be started before arrival in the malaria zone and continued after departure.

Prevention of mosquito bites is crucial regardless of whether you're taking antimalarial medication, as it also protects against dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and other mosquito-borne diseases for which no preventive medications exist. Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or other proven active ingredients. Wear long sleeves and pants, particularly during peak mosquito activity times. Sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets in high-risk areas.

Why Is Traffic Safety Important When Traveling?

Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of tourist injuries and fatalities abroad. Unfamiliar roads, different driving rules, and varying safety standards make renting vehicles particularly risky. Ensure adequate insurance coverage if driving, and consider alternative transportation in high-risk countries.

Road traffic injuries represent one of the most significant but often underestimated health risks for international travelers. According to the World Health Organization, road traffic accidents are a leading cause of death for travelers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where road safety standards may differ from what travelers are accustomed to. The risk is compounded by unfamiliar driving conditions, different traffic rules, poorly maintained roads, and varying enforcement of traffic laws.

If you plan to drive abroad, thorough preparation is essential. Ensure you have the appropriate license for your destination; an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required in many countries in addition to your regular license. Research the driving rules specific to your destination, including which side of the road traffic uses, speed limits, right-of-way rules, and regulations about mobile phone use while driving. Familiarize yourself with local road signs, which may be different from those in your home country.

Rental vehicle insurance is a crucial consideration. Your regular auto insurance policy may provide some coverage abroad, but often with significant limitations. Credit cards sometimes offer rental car insurance, but terms and conditions vary. Carefully review what's included in rental agreements and consider purchasing additional coverage if your existing policies don't provide adequate protection. Medical costs, vehicle damage, and liability claims resulting from accidents abroad can be financially devastating without proper insurance.

Safer Transportation Choices

In many destinations, using professional drivers or public transportation may be safer than driving yourself. This is particularly true in countries with different driving customs, poorly maintained roads, or where traffic conditions are chaotic. Reputable taxi services, ride-sharing apps with driver ratings, and pre-arranged transfers from hotels can provide safer alternatives to self-driving while still allowing flexibility in your travels.

When using any form of road transportation, basic safety practices apply. Always wear seatbelts, even if enforcement is lax locally. Avoid traveling at night on rural roads in areas with poor lighting and road conditions. If renting motorcycles or scooters, always wear a helmet regardless of local requirements or customs. Be aware that medical care following accidents may be limited or delayed in remote areas.