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Travel first aid kit: what to pack, using the CDC's checklist

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-15.

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Start with a compact first aid kit

The CDC lists a first aid kit as one of the supplies in a travel health kit. For travel, choose a small, sturdy case you can carry in a day bag. For what a full home kit should contain, see our first aid kit guide, which uses the American Red Cross checklist; for trips, pack a smaller version of that list plus the travel extras below.

Useful small items include bandages, a few gauze pads, tape, antiseptic wipes and tweezers. For blisters on long walking days, see our hydrocolloid bandages guide.

Medicines the CDC suggests

The list is from the CDC's Pack Smart page. You may not need every item; what you pack depends on your destination and its health risks.

Supplies to add

• Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, or antibacterial hand wipes; see our hand sanitizer guide.
• Insect repellent with an active ingredient like DEET or picaridin.
• Sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and SPF 15 or higher, plus sunglasses and a hat. See our mineral sunscreen guide.
• Eye care: glasses, contact lenses, solution and hydrating eye drops.
• Other items on the CDC list: earplugs, high-quality masks, water purification tablets or a filter, condoms, diabetes testing supplies if needed, and a medical alert bracelet if you have a condition.

Prescriptions and documents

The CDC suggests packing prescriptions, preferably in their original bottles, and carrying copies of your prescriptions for medicines, glasses and medical supplies. It also recommends copies of your passport, a contact card for someone at home, your immunization records, health insurance and travel insurance documents, and a list of hospitals or clinics at your destination.

Some countries restrict which medicines you can bring, the CDC notes, so check with the U.S. Embassy for your destination before you go. If you have a medical condition, ask your health care professional what else to bring.

The CDC's document list also includes lodging information, contact details for your health care professionals at home, U.S. embassy or consulate information, and proof of yellow fever vaccination if your trip requires it. Requirements vary by destination, so check whether documents must be printed or digital, and if possible keep both a print and a digital version with you.

Flying with medicine

TSA says medication in pill form is allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. For liquid medicine, TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection. The final decision rests with the TSA officer.

The CDC suggests checking the TSA website for updates on permitted and prohibited items, including medicines and medical devices, and checking the State Department's customs and import restrictions, since some items may not be allowed in other countries.

Packing tips

• Plan by destination. The CDC suggests checking its destination pages for local health risks; what you pack depends on where you are going.
• Kids' kits. Pack child-appropriate doses and any medicines your pediatrician suggests.
• Keep essentials close. Consider carrying daily medicines in your carry-on rather than checked luggage.
• Restock after the trip. Replace what you used and check expiration dates before the next trip.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

What should be in a travel first aid kit?

The CDC lists a first aid kit, everyday medicines, prescriptions, hand sanitizer, insect repellent, sunscreen and document copies.

Can I bring medicine in my carry-on?

TSA allows pills in carry-on and checked bags; declare medically necessary liquids at the checkpoint.

Should prescriptions stay in original bottles?

The CDC suggests packing prescriptions preferably in their original bottles.

What SPF should I pack?

The CDC's list says SPF 15 or higher with UVA and UVB protection.

Do some countries restrict medicines?

Yes. The CDC suggests checking with the U.S. Embassy for your destination.

Sources

• Pack Smart (wwwnc.cdc.gov), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health
• Medications (Liquid) (www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/medications-liquid), Transportation Security Administration
• Medications (Pills) (www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/medications-pills), Transportation Security Administration

Sources checked 2026-10-15.