Holiday health packing

Work out how much sun cream and medicine to pack for your trip.

Your details

Days away
People
Regular medicine doses a day (one person)
Spare days of medicine
Whole body sun cream coats a day each
Where you are going
Longest flight
Any controlled medicine (such as strong painkillers or ADHD medicine)?

Put 0 doses if you take no regular medicine.

10 days away for 2 people

6

bottles of sun cream (200 ml) for 2 whole body coats a day each

  • Sun cream in total1,200 ml (about 30 ml a whole body coat)
  • Regular medicine doses to pack (one person)26 (10 days plus 3 spare days)
  • Healthcare (EU countries)GHIC covers state healthcare at the local rate. It does not replace travel insurance or cover getting home
  • Emergency number112
  • Flight of 3.0 hoursunder 4 hours: the clot risk from sitting is low, so just move when you can
  • In your hand luggagemedicines in their labelled boxes, with a copy of your prescription
  • Also handyplasters, rehydration sachets, paracetamol, insect repellent and your GHIC for Europe

Ask your GP surgery or pharmacist early for enough of your regular medicine for the whole trip plus extra in case of delays or lost bags, and check the rules for every country you visit or pass through, as some ban medicines that are legal here.

Check travel vaccines with your GP practice or a travel clinic at least 4 to 6 weeks before you go. If you feel unwell with a fever after a trip to a malaria area, get help the same day.

The working

10 days, 2 people, 2 coats a day

At about 30 ml a whole body coat (the low end of the NHS 6 to 8 teaspoons), 2 coats a day for 10 days for 2 people is 1,200 ml: 6 bottles of 200 ml. Two doses a day for 10 days plus 3 spare days is 26 doses of your regular medicine.

For an EU country a GHIC covers state healthcare at the local rate, and the emergency number is 112. A 3 hour flight is under the 4 hours from which the WHO and NHS suggest moving about and drinking water to lower the clot risk. If you carry a controlled medicine, under 3 months' supply needs only a letter from your prescriber; more than 3 months' supply, or a trip of 3 months or more, needs a Home Office personal licence (BNF), so apply at least 10 working days ahead.

Medicines

Travel with them

  • Ask your GP surgery or pharmacist early for enough to cover the trip and delays
  • Keep medicines in hand luggage, in their labelled boxes
  • Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your prescriber, and keep some extra in your hold luggage
  • Check the rules for each country you visit or pass through

Before you go

The rest of the list

  • Check travel vaccines with your GP practice or a travel clinic at least 4 to 6 weeks before
  • A free GHIC for Europe, plus travel insurance
  • Plasters, rehydration sachets, paracetamol and insect repellent

Read with care

What this cannot tell you

  • Advise on vaccinesA travel clinic or GP practice will check what you need.
  • Know local rulesSome medicines are restricted abroad; check before you fly.
  • Size your familyChildren need less sun cream, larger adults more.

Questions

Common questions

How much sun cream do I need for a week?

About 30 ml a whole body coat. Two coats a day for 7 days is about 420 ml per adult, so 2 bottles of 200 ml or more each.

How early should I get travel vaccines?

The NHS says at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel, because some involve a course of doses and others take time to build up protection.

Can I take my medicines abroad?

Usually, but some countries restrict certain medicines, even ones sold over the counter in the UK. Check before you go, and carry them in their original packs with a copy of your prescription.

Do I need a licence to take my medicine abroad?

Only for controlled medicines, and only for more than 3 months' supply or a trip of 3 months or more. Otherwise carry a letter from your prescriber with the medicine, dose and amount.

Does a GHIC replace travel insurance?

No. A GHIC gives you state healthcare in many countries, but you still need travel insurance.

Sources

Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

Before and during your trip

Check travel vaccines with your GP practice or a travel clinic at least 4 to 6 weeks before you go. Abroad, use the local emergency number (112 across the EU).

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