What to Do If You Get Sick when Traveling with kids

Ah, the joys of travelling with kids—seeing the world, making memories, discovering local hospitals… Wait, what?

Yes, as any travelling family knows, even the best-laid plans can be derailed by a dodgy meal or a misplaced foot on a wobbly escalator.

No-one wants to get sick when traveling, especially with kids. But here’s the truth: sickness and accidents happen, whether you’re halfway around the world or just down the road from home.

And while it’s not the most glamorous part of planning your family travels, preparing for sick kids when traveling doesn’t need to be over planned.

After two years of full-time travel, we’ve encountered our fair share of bumps (and bites, bruises, and fevers) on the road.

But nothing too catastrophic—except for when Jak caught dengue in Cambodia, and we got to watch him waste away like an extra in a zombie movie. Spoiler alert: he’s fine now!

Here’s what we’ve learned about managing illness abroad, staying calm, and maybe even having a laugh along the way.

Do a Bit of Research Before You Go

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Look, I’m not saying you need to map out every hospital between here and Timbuktu, but a bit of light research can save you some stress. Here’s what to check before you set off:

Local Healthcare Options: Find out if there’s a clinic or hospital near your destination and jot down the address. Even remote areas usually have basic care facilities.
Chat with the locals: They also need doctors and medicine and are a good source of local knowledge.
Common Illnesses & Precautions: It’s worth knowing if you’re heading into a dengue hotspot or a region where everyone gets a dodgy belly. A quick Google will tell you what to expect and how to avoid it.

And here’s the reassuring bit: if you do get sick when traveling, we’ve found that international healthcare can be absolutely fantastic, and the price? Usually laughably cheap compared to home.

Every time we’ve needed medical care abroad, we had travel insurance but never actually used it—out-of-pocket costs were so low, it barely seemed worth the claim.

What to Pack in Your “Minimalist” First Aid Kit

We’re not talking about lugging around a paramedic’s kit. You don’t need much, and you can usually find everything you need wherever you go. Unless you’re trekking deep into the Amazon, a few essentials should cover you:

Tape, Gauze & Iodine: These three can handle most minor cuts and scrapes. Tape it, dab it, and move on.
Antihistamines: Handy medicine for insect bites, allergic reactions, or those weird rashes you never really know the cause of.
Pain Relief & Fever Reducers: Paracetamol or ibuprofen (avoid ibuprofen if there is the slightest suspicion of Dengue) for when someone has a fever or headache before heading on an overnight party bus.
Electrolyte Powder: For the day someone decides to try local street food that doesn’t quite agree with them. Trust me, hydration is key.
Rehydration Salts: In case of stomach bugs, these little packets can be a lifesaver to keep the kids (or you) from keeling over. being honest though, our kids refuse these becuase they generally taste gross- read Beau’s story below!

And that’s about it, really. Anything more than that, and you’re carrying unnecessary weight. Pharmacies abroad have just about everything you could need if you get sick when traveling, often at prices that’ll make you want to stock up for home too.

What to Do if you get sick when traveling

It’s one thing to be prepared; it’s another thing entirely when you’re in the thick of it and someone’s going pale and sweaty when traveling. Here’s our approach to handling illness on the road, with as much calm as we can muster.

Step 1: Don’t Panic. Yes, I know, easier said than done. But remember: people get sick all over the world, and most issues aren’t life-threatening. Your accommodation host or a local will usually be your best source of information on where to go and what to do. We’ve always found the locals more than happy to point us in the right direction.
Step 2: Stay Hydrated. Dehydration can make any illness ten times worse. When one of the kids isn’t feeling well, we push fluids like we’re getting paid for it. Coconut water is fantastic if you’re somewhere tropical (and the kids usually find it pretty cool to drink out of a coconut). For bigger issues, rehydration salts or electrolyte powder work wonders.
Step 3: Get Plenty of Rest. Traveling when sick is no fun for anyone. If someone’s down for the count, then it’s time to adjust the itinerary. Forget pushing through—it’s not worth it. We’ve tried powering through illness before, and it’s a recipe for disaster. Instead, be a good patient, embrace the downtime. Use the hotel room WiFi, watch a few movies, and don’t feel guilty. After all, you’d do the same at home if they were sick.
Step 4: Seek Medical Help When Needed. Most of the time, a bit of rest, fluids, and over-the-counter meds do the trick. But if things aren’t improving, it’s time to see a doctor. Local healthcare has surprised us time and again with its efficiency and affordability. In Egypt, when Beau refused to drink anything and looked like death warmed up, we took her to a local clinic and they sorted her out.

Girl on motorbike after getting sick when traveling — Bali belly stuck around for a few weeks.

Our Stories of Getting Sick when traveling

Here’s a peek into some of our more “memorable” travel illnesses. Consider it a friendly reminder that even the best-laid plans can go sideways, but hey—it’s all part of the adventure, right?

Egypt – Zombie Beau & the £10 Drip
Considering the very limited diet we had in Luxor (think falafals, falafels with a side of falafel), surprisingly Beau got sick, the kind of sick where it comes out of both ends. We had some OTC medication but she had refused all attempts, and by day four she looked ready to join the cast of The Walking Dead. The local clinic was happy to help, popped her on a drip, and for a tenner, she was back to her usual self in no time.
Bosnia – Indi vs. the Escalator
After a month stay in the wild hills of Bosnia, climbing trees, making fires, hanging out with bears and wolves; Our wild child Indi managed to gash her leg open on a supermarket escalator. Five stitches and a hospital trip later, we were out £23 but had a fantastic story to tell. Let’s just say, escalators are now approached with caution.
Cambodia – Jak & the Dengue Debacle
Poor Jak. After five years in Asia, he finally got dengue. Ten days in a dark room, drinking papaya leaf tea, and looking like a shadow of himself. He made it through, but it was a rough ride. We visited a private clinic, confirmed dengue, had an IV drip and then jak chose to return to our apartment and ride it out in bed. This one took a while to recover from. Mosquito repellent is your friend!
Malaysia – The Whole Family Goes Down
There was a trip to Malaysia where we think we all caught COVID. Each of us took turns being down for the count, but Jak, fresh off his dengue recovery, took it especially hard. Luckily, we were able to quarantine, sip on endless coconuts, and eventually came out the other side.
Morocco– A tumble by the mother-in law Jak’s mum had come to visit and with some uneven floor and bright sun in the eyes, she took a tumble. After some ice, we decided to pop to the local hospital just to be safe. After a quick call from the security guide, the Dr arrived, an x-ray and consultation 10 mins later and the all clear is given. 30GBP for x-rays!

Common Illnesses and How to Handle Them

Upset Stomachs

It’s pretty much a rite of passage when travelling in certain parts of the world. Hydration is key here, as is sticking to bland foods until things settle down. Electrolytes, rehydration salts, and a cautious return to normal foods work wonders.

Fevers & Headaches

A bit of paracetamol or ibuprofen usually does the trick. If the fever gets too high or lasts more than a day or two, then it’s time to consult a doctor.

Bug Bites & Rashes

Antihistamines are super handy for bites and rashes, especially if you’re in a mozzie-heavy area.

Do You Really Need Family Travel Insurance?

Let’s face it: travel insurance can feel like a massive expense of family travel. It’s not the most exciting thing to research, but it’s a game changer *if* you get really sick when traveling.

Over the years, we’ve relied on a few different companies depending on where we were going, what we were doing, and who needed coverage. With a bit of trial and error, we’ve learned what to look for in a family travel insurance policy and which companies provide solid options.

What to Look For in a Policy

Not all travel insurance plans are created equal, especially when you’re on the road with kids. For us, the most important part is the medical expense coverage and emergency medical evacuation.

Here are a few key things to consider when shopping around:

Medical Coverage Limits: Check how much the policy covers for medical emergencies. Some policies cap lower than you’d expect, so make sure the plan will actually cover significant costs, especially in countries with pricier healthcare.
Adventure Sports Coverage: Many plans won’t cover you for “high-risk” activities (think white-water rafting or rock climbing) unless you add it on specifically. If you’re planning any adventurous activities, make sure to check the fine print.
Flexibility: Some plans only cover short trips, while others allow you to extend as you go or add coverage if your trip changes. If you’re on an open-ended trip, this can be a lifesaver.
Emergency Evacuation: In case of a serious medical issue, having coverage for emergency evacuation can be essential—especially if you’re in a remote area.
Baggage: For us, our possesions weren’t really worth insurance but devices and electronics were. These are usually not included in baggage or have a very low price limit.

Companies We’ve Tried (And Liked)

We’ve used a few different family travel insurance policy providers over the years, all with their own pros and cons. Here’s our quick take on our favourites:

Big Cat Travel Insurance: Big Cat’s policies are budget-friendly but still comprehensive, making it a good choice if you’re looking for affordable coverage. It’s particularly useful for straightforward trips without too many high-risk activities. However, for trips with more varied activities, it may not have the adventure add-ons you’re after.
SafetyWing: SafetyWing is fantastic for its flexibility and affordability, especially if you’re a family on an extended or open-ended trip. You can pay monthly and start or stop coverage whenever you want. It’s a great option if you’re on a multi-country journey and don’t want to worry about updating your policy constantly. Plus, they cover COVID-19-related medical costs.
World Nomads: World Nomads has been around a while and is well-known for allowing you to extend your policy while travelling. They also offer comprehensive adventure sports coverage, so it’s ideal if you’re planning high-adrenaline activities. We’ve appreciated the flexibility of World Nomads, especially on long trips where we’ve decided to stay on the road longer than planned.
Genki: Genki is particularly good for expats and digital nomads who want long-term travel insurance without breaking the bank. It’s more focused on health insurance than trip insurance but covers medical emergencies across multiple countries. The downside? They don’t cover shorter holiday trips or certain adventure sports, so it’s better suited for long-term family travel.

How to Pick the Right Family Travel insurance

The trick to finding the right policy is balancing your budget with your needs. If you’re on a straightforward holiday, a budget option like Big Cat may be all you need. If you’re on an extended journey or moving between countries, SafetyWing’s flexibility might suit best. And if you’re planning a packed adventure itinerary, World Nomads could cover you for more high-risk activities.

At the end of the day, travel insurance is about peace of mind. The right policy lets you explore freely, knowing that you’re covered if the unexpected happens. And while it may feel like just another cost on top of an already-expensive trip, the small price of insurance can save you thousands down the line—and a whole lot of stress!

Final Thoughts: Keep Calm, Carry On & Laugh About It Later

At the end of the day, travelling with kids is an adventure, and like all adventures, it comes with its challenges. Yes, we’ve spent time in clinics, hunted down pharmacies, and learned more about coconut water than I ever thought possible. But those experiences have made us all the more resilient (and provided some good stories for later).

The most important thing is to stay flexible, keep your sense of humour, and know that a bit of illness isn’t going to ruin the whole trip. And honestly, after all the travel dramas we’ve had, a sick day at home now feels like a breeze.

Our favourite family travel planning tools

Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site with the widest selection of budget accommodation. It’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability.
Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss.
Kiwi– We use Kiwi for our destination inspiration, and to help find those routes which are a little cheaper. It has a very flexible search option for finding flights.
GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is the place to go for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
SafetyWing – A great travel insurance option that offers load of flexibility.
Genki – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home).
ESim– We always set up an esim for arrival into a country to help navigate our way around.
Discover Cars– Our go to for rentals, internationally. We always find the best deals here
12go– Our go to for booking buses, trains, coaches and boats
TravelSpend– Helps us to keep track of our budget