If you’re planning a long trip, especially one where you’ll be away from home for several days, there are a few important things you should pack besides clothes and toiletries. These aren’t just extras — they can help you stay safe, healthy, and comfortable while traveling. Here’s a list of what I always take with me, based on what doctors recommend.
Medicine for sudden sickness
People often feel sick while traveling. Motion sickness is common. If that’s something you deal with, bring a hyoscine-type medicine. It helps prevent nausea. Take it before you start your trip. If your trip is long, you might need a second dose during the journey.
Even if you don’t usually feel sick, heavy meals during travel can upset your stomach. You might feel bloated or even vomit. Carry some gas relief medicine and anti-nausea tablets. For vomiting, ondansetron works well. This is useful especially for kids or long car rides.
A change in weather can also cause a runny nose or cough. For this, antihistamines are helpful. But if you have asthma or another breathing issue, ask your doctor first. Not all antihistamines are safe for everyone.
What helps you stay healthy
Traveling during hot weather or on non-air-conditioned buses or trains can make you feel sick. A small, battery-powered fan can help. It doesn’t take much space and works well in stuffy vehicles.
Also, bring a travel pillow. It supports your neck and helps you avoid pain from sleeping in bad positions. You’ll thank yourself after a 10-hour ride.
Special socks for long travel
If your trip involves sitting for more than 4 hours at a stretch, you need to think about your legs. Some people develop blood clots when they sit still for too long. This is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
The risk is higher if:
- you are over 40
- you are overweight
- you take estrogen pills (like birth control)
To lower your risk, wear compression socks. These are tight-fitting socks that help blood flow. Only wear them during the trip, not all the time.
For rest and quiet time
It’s hard to relax if your bus is noisy or someone nearby keeps talking. That’s where noise-canceling headphones help. They block out sounds and make it easier to rest.
If there’s bright light, a sleep mask helps too. Together, these two items make travel more restful.
Mosquito protection
Mosquitoes spread diseases like dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and malaria. Always pack mosquito repellent — spray, lotion, or wipes.
If you’re traveling with children, bring a repellent made for them. Regular ones may be too strong.
Personal grooming tools
When you’re away from home, don’t share nail clippers, razors, or trimmers. Even if you trust someone, it’s not safe. Using others’ grooming tools can spread infections.
If you think you’ll need to shave during the trip, bring your own razor blade, even if you plan to visit a barber shop.
Keep clothes clean and separate
It’s normal to get your clothes dirty while traveling. But if you don’t have a way to wash them, they can start to smell or even grow bacteria.
Use a thin laundry bag to separate dirty clothes from clean ones. Bring one from home. It takes almost no space but keeps your suitcase cleaner.
Small tools for small injuries
Sometimes, you might get a thorn or splinter stuck in your skin. If you don’t remove it, it can get infected. Bring a clean pair of tweezers. Wipe it with disinfectant before using it.
Also, keep a small bottle of antiseptic solution in your bag.
First aid basics
You don’t need a full medical kit. Just the basics are enough. I pack these items in a small pouch:
- Burn ointment
- Band-aids
- Antiseptic liquid
- Gauze pads
- Pain relief tablets (like paracetamol)
Things to Pack for Health and Safety
Here’s a checklist of must-have health items to bring on a long trip:
- Motion sickness tablets (e.g. hyoscine)
- Vomiting medicine (e.g. ondansetron)
- Gas relief tablets
- Antihistamines (safe ones for your condition)
- Small battery fan
- Travel pillow
- Compression socks
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Sleep mask
- Mosquito repellent (child-safe if needed)
- Personal grooming tools (nail cutter, razor)
- Thin laundry bag
- Tweezers and disinfectant
- First aid pouch (burn cream, band-aids, painkillers, etc.)
These things won’t take much space in your bag. But they can help you handle problems better and enjoy your trip with fewer worries.
