How to Pack an Essential Travel First Aid Kit (That You'll Actually Use)
If you haven’t previously carried a little travel kit of first aid supplies and medicines, I’m here to convert you. It’s a very simple extra to add into your carryon but it can make the difference between misery and comfort during your travels.
Times that I’ve found helpful to have a first aid and medicine kit with me:
· on long haul flights when the cold dry air gives me a sore throat
· that time I twisted my ankle on a walking tour and a pharmacy wasn’t immediately nearby
· when I needed to throw extra band aids into my clutch before a night out
· when my allergies started acting up after being exposed to a new climate and plants
I started putting mine together because I needed to carry my own medication, and now it comes with me everywhere. It lives in my purse day-to-day and always makes it into my luggage when I travel.
Here’s how to build a kit that’s compact, customizable, and genuinely useful. Also, I include a few insights and suggestions on the plethora of specific gear that appears to be more widely available now.
Start your Travel First Aid Kit with a Pouch You Already Own
Tempted to buy a cute new pouch for your kit? Don’t. You probably already have something that works.
Freebie makeup bags, gift-with-purchase pouches, or small toiletry bags you’ve collected over the years are perfect.
Still don’t have one? Visit your local thrift shop, grab something sturdy, give it a good wash, and repurpose it. I mostly think of this from the point of longevity and recycling.
The key is to keep it compact, durable, and easy to clean. There’s no need to spend money on something fancy. And it might be better to start with something cheaper or a freebie that you have laying around because it gives you a chance to play around with how much you really do need to carry. You may discover that what you have could use more pockets or that it could even be smaller. At least this way you won’t have invested a lot at the outset.
Make Your Personal Essentials List to go in your Travel First Aid Kit
Everyone’s body, needs, and travel habits are different, so your first aid kit should reflect that.
Start by thinking about:
What you’ve needed in past emergencies or while traveling
What’s harder to find at your destination (like medications that aren’t sold over the counter)
What makes you feel better quickly when you’re uncomfortable
Here’s what I keep in mine, hopefully it will give you some ideas to start. Yours might look a little different:
My Travel First Aid Pouch Includes:
Lip balm (dry lips are the worst on planes)
Band-Aids (These do a lot, from blisters to cuts)
Mini sunscreen (sunburn is not a souvenir)
Tylenol + ibuprofen (for headaches, cramps, or inflammation)
Pepto Bismol tablets (a stomach-saver)
Allergy tablets (even if I don’t need them daily, I pack just in case)
Tampons or pads (because timing doesn’t always line up)
Lozenges or cough drops
Eye drops (especially helpful on long-haul flights)
Facial lotion or a mini moisturizer
A Tide pen or stain remover (for travel spills or snack accidents)
Airborne or travel wellness tablets (a little immune boost)
Any prescription meds (I carry them in their original blister packs or boxes)
Why I Avoid Transferring Pills Into Unlabeled Containers
You’ve probably seen those pill organizers with printed labels and cute compartments. They’re popular on social media, and they look so satisfying. But I would have a hard time using them confidently.
Here’s why:
You might lose track of expiration dates
They can be tampered with more easily or mixed in with other pills
Customs can question unlabeled medications if you’re traveling internationally
Instead, I keep my tablets in their original blister packs or labeled travel packs, so I know exactly what they are and how old they are. It’s more hygienic and gives me peace of mind. It does cost a little more to purchase them this way but for your on-the-go kit it can be much more practical.
Remember to Replenish After Every Trip (or Use)
Part of keeping a travel first-aid kit is making sure it stays current and replaced on a regular basis or as needed.
Before each trip:
Check for expired meds
Replace anything you used on your last flight or outing
Restock small items like bandages or tampons
This habit ensures your kit is always ready to go—whether you're catching a flight or just going to work.
If you’re going to a new destination, what first aid essentials do you need?
Occasionally, I’ll plan a trip and add things like roll-on insect repellant or insect bite cream to my first aid kit. After I rolled my ankle I then started to pack strapping tape because it was an effort to get the right product when I was overseas. This might not make it into the everyday kit, but it’s worth thinking about what potential additions might be good that are specific to upcoming trips.
Also, if you have kids with you, you probably need kid versions of medicines. Again, I tend to purchase the blister packs of kids allergy tablets and Tylenol.
Don’t Save Your First Aid Kit Just for Travel
Honestly? My first aid kit lives in my purse almost all the time. I’ve used it at the grocery store, on long drives, and even at restaurants (hello, stain pen). Once you get in the habit of carrying it, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.