Sick on the Road: What to Do if You Get Sick While Travelling in Canada
What happens if you get sick on a trip — and you’re still in Canada, but far from home? Maybe it’s food poisoning from a sketchy gas-station sandwich in Saskatchewan, or your kid spikes a fever halfway to Cape Breton. Either way, it’s not the part of travel you post with a #wanderlust hashtag.
But don’t panic-Google in a motel parking lot at 2 a.m. I’ve got you covered.
1. Health Cards Work… Mostly
Good news: your provincial health card works anywhere in Canada. That means if you’re from Ontario and wind up in Alberta, you can still see a doctor without selling your camper van.
Bad news: not everything is covered. Ambulance rides, private hospital rooms, or prescriptions may mean upfront costs. The silver lining? You can usually get reimbursed later — but only if you keep your receipts.
👉 Pro Tip: Always pack your health card. Bonus points for snapping a photo of it in case your wallet decides to take a solo trip.
2. Travel Insurance Inside Canada
Here’s a little secret most people forget: travel insurance isn’t just for international trips. Even a cross-Canada road trip can come with hidden gaps. Extra insurance covers things like out-of-province ambulance rides or accommodations if you need to extend your stay due to illness.
The good news is it’s often cheap, and some credit cards already cover it. Check before you buy more — no sense paying twice.
3. Where To Get Care (Fast)
Pharmacies first
Pharmacists across Canada can now prescribe for minor ailments — think UTIs, pink eye, or allergies. Way easier than waiting five hours in the ER for a tiny slip of paper.Walk-in clinics / urgent care
Most decent-sized towns have them. Some let you book online, others are first-come-first-served. Show up early, bring snacks, and maybe a book — you’ll thank yourself.ER = last resort
Save the emergency room for actual emergencies: chest pain, broken bones, scary fevers. Yes, the wait times are as legendary as everyone says.Telehealth hotlines
Every province has one. Ontario’s is 1-866-797-0000. If you’re stuck wondering, “Am I being dramatic?” a nurse will talk you through your symptoms.
4. Prescriptions on the Road
Need a refill? No problem. Pharmacies can transfer your prescription across provinces — just give them your home pharmacy’s info.
Tip: Keep medications in their original bottles. A ziplock full of mystery pills doesn’t scream “responsible traveller.”
5. Pack a Basic Health Kit
A tiny health kit can be a lifesaver. Throw in:
Tylenol or Advil
Allergy meds
Bandages
Hand sanitizer
A small thermometer
Pepto Bismal
Rehydration packets (gold after a hot hike… or one too many donairs)
It doesn’t take much space and saves a lot of stress when you’re hours from the nearest town.
6. International Visitors
Quick note if you’re visiting from outside Canada: no, healthcare isn’t magically free. You’ll need travel insurance, or you could end up with bills scarier than Vancouver rent prices.
Think: “this hospital bill costs more than your entire PEI lobster tour” scary.
7. Bonus Tip: Prevention is Golden
You can’t dodge every bug, but a little prevention goes a long way. Wash your hands often, stay hydrated (yes, water not just Tim’s), and be mindful of food safety — that gas-station sushi might be a hard no.
Wrapping Up
Look, nobody wants to plan for getting sick on vacation. But having a game plan makes it way less stressful if it happens. Pack your health card, toss a mini health kit in the bag, know where to go for care, and keep your receipts.
That way, if the worst happens, you can handle it and get back to what you came for — making memories, not medical bills.
Stay safe, travel smart, and until next time, I’ll save you a seat.
#BasicTourist
