Travelling at Christmas with Medication: A Simply Meds Online Guide

Dec 08, 2025 Travel

 

There’s a lot to think about once the festive season starts: food, presents, the secret Santa at work, outfits and more. While the list is long, most are relatively easy to sort out. When it comes to sorting medications, prescriptions and particularly travel arrangements, it can be a bit trickier if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

 

Holiday Health Survival Guide: Taking Your Prescriptions Abroad and Getting Help When Local Pharmacies Are Shut

Christmas travel can present a few challenges if you rely on regular medication or temperature-sensitive treatments such as GLP-1 injections. Consider reduced pharmacy hours, winter weather disruptions and the general festive rush, and preparation becomes essential. This Simply Meds Online holiday guide brings together the key information you need to travel confidently with medication and know what to do if you need to access help quickly or run into difficulties.

 

Flying with GLP-1 Pens Over Christmas

Injectable weight loss treatments such as Mounjaro and Wegovy require special handling when travelling. These pens contain needles and temperature-sensitive liquid, so they must be carried correctly throughout your journey.

According to *UK Government guidelines, essential medicines may be taken in hand luggage even if they exceed the 100 ml liquid limit. When travelling you you must:

• Bring proof of prescription or a doctor’s letter
• Present the medication at airport security
• Keep pens in their original, clearly labelled packaging
   

Check current rules and any airport-specific updates before you travel. If you are worried about the return flight, speak to the airport or your travel agent (if used) as they will have the most up-to-date information (or be able to ask the right questions to get it). 

For the winter travel season, plan extra time at security and pack a small cooler bag if your pens must remain chilled. Remember that winter flight delays can extend travel time, so pack enough cooling supplies to be safe.

Read our blog post if you want even more detail, specifically on travelling with injectable pens. 

 

Travelling with Any Controlled or Fridge-Store Medication

Whether you are taking insulin, ADHD medication, hormone treatments or anything requiring refrigeration, good preparation is essential. Winter journeys often involve temperature fluctuations as you move between cold outdoor air, heated vehicles and busy airports.

What to do:

• Carry all medication in your hand luggage
• Use an insulated medical bag or cooler bag for items requiring cold storage
• Carry a small thermometer inside the bag so you can monitor the temperature
• Keep medication in the original packaging to avoid delays at security or customs
• Bring a printed or digital copy of your prescription 

If travelling abroad, check the entry requirements of your destination country. Some request additional paperwork for controlled medicines, and others require advance declarations.

 

Christmas Hours and What To Do When Everything Shuts

One of the biggest challenges in December is reduced opening times. GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospital outpatient departments often operate limited hours over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

To find pharmacies open near you, use the NHS pharmacy finder. This tool is especially helpful if you are staying with family, travelling around the UK or experiencing winter travel disruption.

Try to plan ahead by refilling regular prescriptions in early December. Even well-organised travellers can be caught out by weather delays, missed deliveries or unexpected illness, so knowing your options is key.

 

How Emergency Supplies Work

If you run out of medication unexpectedly over Christmas or New Year, there are several routes to help.

NHS 111

You can request an emergency supply through NHS 111. After a brief assessment, they can arrange for your medication to be sent to an open local pharmacy.

Emergency Supply From a Pharmacist

Some medicines may be supplied without a prescription if the pharmacist can see evidence that you regularly take them. This is usually for short-term continuity only so make arrangements for when you are home/after Christmas.

Online Pharmacy Assistance

Simply Meds Online offers an emergency prescription service for situations where you have run out, are travelling or cannot reach your usual GP. This service requires a short consultation and is ideal for temporary needs. Shipping times vary over the festive period, so order as early as possible.

For a full Christmas emergency medicines guide, see our blog post, How To Get an Emergency Prescription Over the Holidays.
 

How to Avoid Running Out During the Festive Fog

Between school events, travelling, shopping and hosting, it is easy to lose track of medication schedules. Brain fog takes on a whole new meaning when juggling everything on a tight deadline in December. These tips help prevent problems with your medication:

• Order repeat prescriptions early in December
• Bring more medication than you think you will need when travelling
• Pack all medication in your hand luggage, not checked baggage
• Keep a list of all your current medicines in your passport wallet
• Set phone reminders for medication times (be mindful of time differences when travelling)
• If using GLP 1 pens, plan dose days around travel carefully
   

It is also wise to check that you have spare inhalers, enough diabetes supplies and adequate pain relief before you begin your journey.

 

When to Contact NHS 111, Local Services or an Online Pharmacy

Knowing who to contact can save time and stress.

Contact NHS 111 if:

• You have completely run out of essential medication
• You need urgent medical advice out of hours
• You cannot contact your GP due to Christmas closures

Visit a local pharmacy if:

• You need over-the-counter remedies
• You require an emergency supply of a medicine you regularly take
• You want advice for minor winter illnesses, such as coughs or reflux

Use an online pharmacy such as Simply Meds Online if:

• You need a private prescription quickly
• You have lost medication while travelling
• You need treatment for UTIs, migraines, acid reflux or joint pain
• You want regular NHS prescriptions delivered by nominating us as your home pharmacy

 

Extra Holiday Health Support From Simply Meds Online

Winter travel and festive disruptions mean certain conditions appear more frequently. Simply Meds Online can support you with:

Urine Infection Treatments - Available From Our Online Pharmacy

Trimethoprim and other UTI treatments may be supplied via a private prescription following an online consultation. The last thing anyone wants is this type of discomfort over the holiday period. 

Migraine Relief - Don’t Be Without Your Migraine Meds at Christmas

We offer medicines such as Sumatriptan tablets and Imigran nasal spray to treat migraine symptoms quickly. Migraine triggers vary from person to person, and Christmas with different lights, smells, and more can be a minefield for those with a history of migraines. We can supply and ship your medications quickly and discreetly. 

Acid Reflux Medication

Thankfully, PPI medications, including Omeprazole and Lansoprazole, are available via private prescription. With rich puddings and extra foodie treats over the festive period, you don’t want to be without your prescribed anti-acid or reflux meds.

Joint and Muscle Pain Support

For flare-ups brought on by cold weather or busy festive schedules, you can order ibuprofen gel such as Phorpain Maximum Strength or request Naproxen or Diclofenac treatments via consultation.

 

Making Sure You’re Organised With Medication over the Festive Season

Christmas should be a time of celebration, comfort (food) and relaxation. With a little extra planning, you can ensure your medication stays safe, accessible and effective throughout the festive period. Refill prescriptions early, pack carefully if travelling and know where to turn if you need emergency help.

You can also nominate Simply Meds Online as your preferred NHS pharmacy to have your regular prescriptions delivered securely to your door.

Everyone here at Simply Meds Online would like to wish you a safe, healthy and stress-free holiday season.

 

*UK regulations: Correct at the time of writing