Travelling should be enjoyable, but for many people, motion sickness can turn a simple trip into an uncomfortable experience. Whether you’re travelling by:
- Car
- Plane
- Boat or ferry
- Coach or bus
- Train
…motion sickness can cause sudden nausea, dizziness, vomiting, sweating, and disorientation.
Luckily, travel sickness tablets give fast, effective before and during a journey prevention. Through this comprehensive UK based guide, we explore the best travel sickness tablets, how their ingredients work, when to take them, and how to pick the most appropriate one for your journey.
What Is Travel Sickness?
Motion sickness happens when the brain receptors getsignals from your eyes, inner ears and body that are conflicting and lead to sickness while travelling.
For example:
- Your inner ear feels movement
- Your eyes stay fixed on a still object (like a book or phone)
- Your brain gets mixed messages → triggers nausea
This imbalance activates the vomiting centre in the brain, leading to:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Pale skin
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Feeling faint
This is why travel sickness tablets focus on restoring balance signals or blocking nausea receptors.
How Travel Sickness Tablets Work
Travel sickness tablets specifically target the vestibular system — the inner ear responsible for balance — and the central nervous system.
They work by:
✔ Blocking signals from the inner ear
(prevents confusion between motion and vision)
✔ Reducing overactive nerve responses
(calms the vomiting centre in the brain)
✔ Balancing the body’s movement perception
(especially useful for car and sea travel)
Most are taken 20–60 minutes before travelling for best results.
The Best Travel Sickness Tablets in the UK (2025)
Here are the UK’s most effective options, available over the counter or via pharmacy consultation.
How to Use Children’s Travel Sickness Tablets
Children’s travel sickness tablets are easy to use, but following the correct guidance is crucial to ensure both safety and effectiveness.
Seek Professional Advice: Before giving your child any travel sickness medication, it is recommended to consult a qualified pharmacist. Pharmacists at HMI Pharmacy can advise on the most appropriate option based on your child’s age, weight, and medical history.
Administer at the Right Time: For optimal protection, give the tablets 30 minutes to one hour before travel begins. This allows the medication enough time to start working before symptoms develop.
Follow the Correct Dosage: Always adhere strictly to the dosage instructions on the product packaging or those provided by a pharmacist. Never exceed the recommended amount.
Observe Your Child: Monitor your child throughout the journey. If symptoms continue, worsen, or new side effects appear, seek medical advice without delay.
Additional Ways to Help Prevent Travel Sickness in Children
Alongside travel sickness tablets, the following practical measures can help reduce discomfort and prevent symptoms:
Seating Position: Encourage your child to sit where they can look out at the horizon. In cars, the front seat or the centre of the back seat works best, while on planes, seats over the wings are usually more stable.
Fresh Air and Ventilation: Good airflow can make a significant difference. Keep windows slightly open when possible or ensure air vents are directed gently toward your child.
Engaging Distractions: Activities such as listening to music, audiobooks, or simple games can help take your child’s focus away from feelings of nausea.
Regular Travel Breaks: On longer trips, stop frequently so your child can stretch, walk around, and get fresh air.
Light Eating: Avoid heavy or greasy foods before and during travel. Choose light snacks and make sure your child drinks enough water to stay hydrated.
By combining medication with these preventative strategies, parents can help make journeys more comfortable and enjoyable for their children.
1. Hyoscine Hydrobromide (Kwells, Joy-Rides)
Best for: General travel sickness
Availability: Over the counter
Onset: 20–30 minutes
Duration: 4–6 hours
Hyoscine Hydrobromide is the most widely recommended travel sickness treatment. Brands like Kwells and Joy-Rides use this ingredient to block nerve signals from the inner ear to the brain.
It’s ideal for:
- Car journeys
- Coach trips
- Air travel
- Boat/ferry rides
Because it works quickly and doesn’t last too long, it’s perfect for short-to-medium trips.
Pros
- Fast-acting
- Easy to swallow
- Suitable for adults and children (check age limits)
- Effective for sudden onset symptoms
Cons
- Can cause dry mouth
- May blur vision
- Not suitable for people with glaucoma
2. Cinnarizine (Stugeron 15)
Best for: Long journeys & sea sickness
Availability: Over the counter
Onset: 2 hours
Duration: Up to 8 hours
Cinnarizine is an antihistamine-based travel sickness medicine known for being particularly effective on boats and ferries. It’s often recommended for people who struggle with:
- Sea sickness
- Cruise travel
- Long-distance coach or car journeys
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Non-drowsy for many people
- Excellent for sea travel
Cons
- Takes longer to start working
- Not ideal for very short trips
3. Promethazine (Phenergan)
Best for: Strong or persistent travel sickness
Availability: Pharmacy-only
Onset: 20–60 minutes
Duration: Up to 12 hours
Promethazine is a sedating antihistamine used for people with more severe motion sickness. It can make you drowsy, so it’s often recommended for long, overnight travel.
Suitable for:
- Long-haul flights
- Overnight coach trips
- Long boat journeys
Pros
- Long-lasting relief
- Helpful if nausea triggers anxiety
- Good for long-distance travel
Cons
- Causes drowsiness
- Not suitable for driving
- Not ideal for children under pharmacist guidance
Comparison Table: Best Travel Sickness Tablets (UK)
| Medicine | Best For | Onset | Duration | Availability | Notes |
| Hyoscine Hydrobromide (Kwells) | General travel sickness | 20–30 mins | 4–6 hrs | OTC | Fast-acting, ideal for short trips |
| Cinnarizine (Stugeron 15) | Sea sickness & long journeys | 2 hrs | 8 hrs | OTC | Best for boats & cruises |
| Promethazine (Phenergan) | Strong symptoms | 20–60 mins | 8–12 hrs | Pharmacy-only | Causes drowsiness, long-lasting |
How to Choose the Right Travel Sickness Tablet
Use this quick guide:
For car sickness:
→ Hyoscine Hydrobromide (Kwells)
For sea sickness:
→ Cinnarizine (Stugeron 15)
For long flights or overnight trips:
→ Promethazine (Phenergan)
If symptoms start suddenly:
→ Kwells is the fastest acting
Natural Ways to Reduce Travel Sickness
Medication works best when combined with simple habits:
- Sit in the front seat
- Look at the horizon
- Keep windows open
- Avoid reading or screens
- Take frequent breaks
- Eat light food before travelling
- Sip water often
Some people find acupressure wristbands or ginger supplements helpful.
Who Should Avoid Travel Sickness Tablets?
Speak to a pharmacist or GP if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have glaucoma
- Have prostate or urinary retention issues
- Have liver or kidney disease
- Take sedating medicines
- Are choosing medication for a child
Some travel sickness medicines can interact with alcohol, sleeping tablets, and anxiety medications.
Most products are over the counter, but some require a brief pharmacy consultation.
