I Get Motion Sick on Anything That Moves... Here's My Foolproof Plan to Avoid It

As a veteran member of the sour-stomach squad, I will try just about anything to avoid that first swoop of nausea when the plane takes off or the boat hits choppy waters. Since childhood, I’ve been in danger of losing my lunch if I even dare to glance at a roller coaster or think about hopping in the backseat for a drive.
After multiple failed ferry rides, interrupted road trips, and a particularly abysmal fishing excursion in Costa Rica, I vowed never to return to the ranks of travelers with stories of amazing experiences ruined by a bout of motion sickness. Here is my travel game plan to beat motion sickness for good.
Editor’s Note: This story includes over-the-counter motion sickness medications. All should be cleared for personal use by a doctor who’s familiar with your unique health conditions and medical history.
-
What Causes Motion Sickness?
-
How I Combat Motion Sickness When Traveling
-
Plan Your Itinerary Accordingly
-
Take Motion Sickness Medications Ahead of Time
-
Pack Antacids
-
Watch the Horizon
-
Stock Up on Snacks
-
Other Motion Sickness Gadgets to Try
-
Motion sickness is caused by a miscommunication between your senses, primarily the vestibular system (located within the inner ear), brain, and eyes. Any activity that causes conflicting sensory information to reach your brain — such as your eyes perceiving the stationary car interior while your body senses the motion of the bumpy road — can trigger it, leaving you feeling dizzy and nauseated.
If you're like me, there is no single magic cure for your motion sickness. It requires a well-thought-out, multi-pronged system to keep your stomach on an even keel. Here are the strategies I use to maximize my chances.
The obvious answer is sometimes the best: to avoid motion sickness, avoid situations that cause it. Opt for a bike tour instead of a sunset cruise. Choose gentler watersports like paddle boarding and snorkeling instead of a whale watch.
However, there are experiences I don't want to miss out on simply due to an upset stomach. In such cases, I have a few tools I turn to.
Thankfully, there's no shortage of medications available to help you battle motion sickness before it ever sets in. This class of drugs is called antiemetics. Be sure not to combine them with other medications or motion sickness remedies before consulting your doctor.
Be warned: this medication can cause notable drowsiness in some people, so make sure you know how it will affect you before taking it during your travels, unless you want to fall asleep in Connecticut and wake up in North Carolina (true story).
Meclizine
Meclizine has been my holy grail of motion sickness medication. If I know an activity is going to knock me off my feet with nausea, I will never skip it. While it varies depending on the specific drug, it’s typically best taken about one hour before the start of an activity that could cause motion sickness.
Dramamine
Dramamine is also an antiemetic. Dimenhydrinate, the active ingredient in the original formula, works by blocking the impact of histamine on the body, which helps soothe the brainstem receptors that process conflicting sensory input. Since I tend to get extremely drowsy on the full 50mg dose, I usually go for Dramamine for Kids (at 25mg per dose) or bite an original formula chewable in half.
Note: Be sure to check the formula you're buying — Dramamine Less Drowsy is actually a meclizine-based medication.
While antacids don't address the root cause of nausea, they can help alleviate the symptoms of an upset stomach that linger after a bout with motion sickness. I never travel without my miniature Tums container. Buy it once, and then fill this on-the-go pack with refills from a larger at-home stockpile.

If you've ever been in the throes of motion sickness, you know the ire that this advice immediately incites. However, there is something of value to it. Focus on something that is still or close your eyes to limit conflicting stimuli. Avoid screens and reading, as they are common triggers.
Laying down a base in your stomach can help prevent nausea and speed up the post-nausea recovery process.
Ginger
The compounds gingerol and shogaol in ginger can naturally calm an upset stomach, easing stomach contractions and aiding digestion. I never leave the house without a few ginger chews in my bag. Even sipping on a ginger ale may help, although that may have more to do with the carbonation than the ginger flavor.
Drink Carbonated Drinks
Effective for some and not others, and highly contested, drinking carbonated beverages may help to ease an upset stomach. A prevailing theory is that the bubbles make it easier to burp, relieving pressure in your digestive system. As someone who was narrowly saved from vomiting on the Lisbon metro by a fortuitous vending machine and a Coke, I'm all for it. Whether an old wives' tale or a legitimate cure, if sipping on a Sprite eases the symptoms, then go for it.
Mint
Mints and gum are something nearly everyone has in their purses and pockets, but these tiny treats carry more science than we realize. Mint has antispasmodic properties that help relax the walls of the gastrointestinal system, thereby relieving nausea.
Plain Crackers
Bland foods are a tried-and-true way to calm an uneasy stomach. They’re easy to digest, can absorb excess stomach acid, and are relatively easy to pack. Saltines, Ritz, and Cheez-Its are my top choices.
Water
Staying hydrated is a key prevention strategy. While drinking water may not stop motion sickness in its tracks, it sets you up for success and helps with a faster recovery. You can bring your own water bottle through TSA and refill it as many times as you need at airport refill stations.
Even a seasoned pro like me has a few tactics they haven't tried. These two hacks are popular among queasy travelers and could be worth adding to your toolkit—they may soon join mine.
Motion Sickness Patches
Scopolamine is the primary ingredient in motion sickness patches. It works by interacting with your central nervous system to calm the stomach. Apply the patch behind your ear about four hours before you anticipate needing nausea relief.

Motion Sickness Googles
This gadget is the last frontier of motion sickness technology I’ve yet to try. The steady water level in the periphery of your vision is designed to trick your brain into synchronizing the external stimuli so you don’t get sick in the first place. You may look silly, but you’ll be the only one laughing when the ferry hits rough waters. There’s debate around the googles effectiveness and hesitation around their mildly unfashionable design, but if they work I may have to give them a try.