Travel Tips

iStock_000038742726SmallFor a complete list of travel tips and things you should know when you travel outside Canada, visit Well on Your Way – A Canadian’s Guide to Healthy Travel Abroad.

Things to do before you travel

  • Make an appointment with a travel clinic a minimum of six weeks before you leave as vaccines take time to become effective.
  • Find out which vaccinations and medications you need.
  • Find out how you can avoid diseases while you are away.
  • Check if you require proof of yellow fever vaccination or any other vaccinations when you enter the countries you are visiting.
  • Put together a Travel Health Kit in case of an emergency.

When you travel with medications

  • Blue Capsules on a Prescription FormPack an extra supply of all your medications.
  • Take an extra copy of your original prescription.
  • Keep medications in the original, labelled container to avoid issues at Customs.
  • Check that your prescription and over-the-counter medication is legally available in the country you are travelling to.
  • Take a note from your doctor with the medical reasons for your medications.
  • Pack enough needles for your entire trip for a medical condition such as diabetes. 
    • Carry a medical certificate showing the needles are for medical use.
  • Look into extra travel health insurance.
    • Carry the details with you.
    • Leave a copy with a friend or relative at home.
  • Keep medication in your carry-on luggage.

Proper Hand-washing

Clean hands may be one of the most important things you and your family can do to stay healthy, at home and when you travel. If you don’t wash your hands properly, you won’t remove bacteria and viruses that make you sick.

Wash your handsiStock_000017371056Small:

  1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold).
  2. Turn off the tap.
  3. Rub your hands together to lather liquid or bar soap.
  4. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
  5. Lather and scrub your hands for at least twenty seconds – the time it takes to hum the tune to Happy Birthday twice.
  6. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
  7. Use a paper towel to turn off the tap to make you don’t pick up any germs.
  8. Dry your hands with a clean towel, paper towel, or let them air dry.
  9. Use a paper towel to open the door of the washroom as you leave.

For more information on the importance of proper hand washing visit Travel Canada.

Eat and Drink Safely

Take extra steps to stay healthy in places that don’t have clean food preparation and drinking water.  

Tips to eat safelyBananas:

  • Eat well-cooked food that is still hot and steaming.
  • Eat fruits and vegetables you can peel yourself, such as bananas.

    • Wash your hands before you peel fruits and vegetables.
    • Do not eat the peels.
  • Do not eat leafy vegetables like lettuce that are hard to clean.
  • Do not drink unpasteurized milk and dairy products.
  • Do not eat shellfish from any water you think may be polluted or contaminated with raw sewage.
  • Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or seafood.

Tips to drink safelyiStock_000021474175Small:

  • Drink commercially bottled water with a sealed lid.
  • Boil any un-bottled water for one minute at a rolling boil before you drink it.
  • Use ice made from bottled or treated water.

More information on how to eat and drink safely from Travel Canada