Healthy travel tips for summer

Summer is the perfect time to recharge, soak up some sun, and explore new places. Whether you’re jetting off to a tropical beach, heading out on a city break, or embracing the great outdoors, it’s important to put your health at the top of your holiday checklist. After all, nothing ruins a well-deserved break quite like illness, sunburn, or a forgotten prescription.

At EssexPrivateGP, our goal is to keep you safe, well, and enjoying every moment of your trip.

Below, we’ve rounded up our top healthy travel tips to help you get summer ready.

Protecting yourself with travel vaccinations

Before you pack your flip-flops and passport, it’s worth checking whether your destination requires travel vaccinations. Diseases like hepatitis A and B, typhoid, yellow fever, and tetanus are still common in certain parts of the world.

Ideally, try to book your vaccine consultation at least 6–8 weeks before you travel, as some jabs require multiple doses or need time to take full effect.

It’s also a good idea to check the latest travel health guidance via the NHS Fit for Travel website. Here you can check your destination(s) for information on advisable vaccinations, malaria risk, disease outbreaks and other health risks.

Heat and sun safety

We all love a bit of sunshine, but too much heat can pose real health risks, especially if you’re not used to it. Dehydration, heatstroke, and sunburn are more common than you might think, particularly among children, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions.

Travel tips for staying safe in the sun:

• Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty
• Avoid peak sun hours between 11am and 3pm
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and loose, light clothing
• Regularly apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (if possible SPF 50 but at least SPF 30)
• Stay in the shade when you can

If you start to feel dizzy, confused, or unwell in the heat, move to a cool area, sip water, and seek medical attention if symptoms don’t improve.

Remember too that sunburn can happen quickly, particularly near water or at high altitudes, so topping up suncream is key, even on cloudy days.

Travel tips for staying healthy on the go

Alongside vaccinations and sun protection, there are a few more travel health essentials that often get overlooked. A bit of planning now can help avoid any holiday hiccups later. Here are our top travel tips to ensure you stay healthy on the go:

Pack a basic medical kit – Plasters, painkillers, antiseptic cream, antihistamines, and anti-diarrhoeal tablets are all worth having on hand

Bring insect repellent – This is especially important if you’re travelling to areas where mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue or malaria are a concern. Look for repellents that contain DEET, and consider wearing long sleeves in the evenings

Stick to bottled water – If the local supply isn’t safe to drink make sure you have plenty of bottled water. Also avoid ice or uncooked foods from street vendors in high-risk areas

Hand sanitiser – Always useful at airports, public transport, or when you’re far from soap and water

Don’t forget your regular medication too. If you take repeat prescriptions, make sure you’ve ordered enough to cover your trip, including a few extra days, just in case of delays.

If you need help sorting this out, our team at EssexPrivateGP can assist with prescription reviews and provide any necessary travel documentation for medication.

From prescriptions to heat and sun advice, we’re here to make sure your holiday starts and ends on a healthy note. Book your pre-travel appointment today with our friendly, expert team.