Doctors Share Simple Travel Tips to Avoid Getting Sick on Vacation

Nobody wants to return from a relaxing getaway with a sore throat, a fever, or stomach trouble. Yet travel often exposes us to more germs, stress, and disrupted routines. Fortunately, doctors have shared easy steps to help travelers stay healthy from takeoff to landing — and back home again.

According to Caroline Bologna at HuffPost, travel increases our chances of falling ill, but smart planning can make all the difference. High on the list is wearing a quality face mask on planes and in airports. “I still wear a mask on all flights,” says Dr. Barbara Bawer, adding that it limits exposure and keeps you from touching your face.

Hand hygiene is another must. Doctors recommend frequent washing and using sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Disinfecting tray tables, armrests, and screens is also a habit worth picking up.

Staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol mid-flight, and packing electrolyte sachets can help fight travel fatigue and nausea. Immune boosters like vitamin C, nasal sprays, and even a bit of petroleum jelly inside the nostrils can provide added protection in dry airplane cabins.

It’s also worth booking flights at less crowded times and allowing for recovery at home before jumping back into daily life. And don’t forget the basics: rest well, pack healthy snacks, use sun protection, bring insect repellent, and keep your medication bag stocked with travel essentials like antihistamines, pain relief, and antidiarrheals.

Whether you’re heading to the mountains or a beach resort, staying healthy doesn’t have to be complicated — it just requires a bit of planning and some common sense.

Travel can be exhausting on the body and tough on the immune system. As you pack your sunscreen and reusable bottle, remember to also pack kindness — to your body, the planet, and animals. Choose plant-based snacks, fly less where you can, and treat every destination with care. The best souvenirs are ones that don’t come at the Earth’s expense.

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