What Happens If You Get Sick on a Group Tour in Europe?
Getting sick while traveling in Europe is something no one wants to think about. However, for many travelers—especially adults over 50—it is one of the biggest concerns about taking an international trip.
What happens if you wake up with a fever in Paris? What if you twist an ankle in Scotland, develop a stomach problem in Italy or need to visit a hospital while the rest of your tour group is preparing to leave for another city?
After operating small group tours to Europe for many years, I can tell you that illnesses and injuries occasionally happen. Most situations can be managed calmly and efficiently, particularly when travelers are prepared and are traveling with an experienced tour company.
Here is what you need to know about getting sick on a group tour in Europe.
What Should You Do If You Feel Sick on a European Tour?
The first thing you should do is tell your tour leader, tour manager or tour operator.
Do not try to hide an illness because you are worried about inconveniencing the group. A minor medical problem can become more serious if it is ignored.
Depending upon the situation, your tour leader may be able to help you:
- Locate a nearby pharmacy
- Contact the hotel
- Arrange transportation to a medical clinic
- Find an English-speaking doctor
- Contact your travel insurance company
- Communicate with your family
- Determine how and when you can rejoin the tour
The exact assistance available will depend upon the tour company, destination and seriousness of the medical problem. A tour leader is not a doctor, but an experienced tour operator can often help you determine the most practical next step.
Can You Stay at the Hotel While the Group Goes Sightseeing?
In many cases, yes.
Suppose you wake up with a cold, stomach problem or another minor illness. You may decide that the best choice is to remain at the hotel, rest and skip that day’s scheduled activities.
The rest of the group will normally continue with the planned itinerary. You can then rejoin the tour when you feel well enough.
It is important to understand that you may not receive a refund for sightseeing, transportation, meals or admissions you miss because of illness. Those arrangements have usually been reserved and paid for in advance.
Your travel insurance policy may provide some reimbursement under certain circumstances, but coverage varies considerably. Review the policy carefully before traveling.
Will the Tour Group Wait for a Sick Traveler?
Generally, a tour group cannot delay its entire itinerary for one traveler.
Hotels, trains, guides, admissions and transportation are often reserved months in advance. Missing a train or arriving late for a scheduled attraction could affect every traveler in the group.
A responsible tour company should make reasonable efforts to help a sick traveler, but it also has an obligation to operate the promised itinerary for everyone else.
Depending upon the circumstances, the traveler may need to remain behind, receive treatment and later rejoin the group at another hotel or destination.
This is one reason travelers should carry a working mobile phone, copies of their itinerary and the contact information for their hotels and tour operator.
How Do You Find a Doctor in Europe?
Medical care is readily available in most major European cities and popular tourist destinations.
A hotel may be able to recommend a nearby doctor, urgent-care clinic, pharmacy or hospital. Some hotels have relationships with doctors who make visits directly to hotel rooms.
Your travel insurance company may also maintain a network of medical providers. Many policies include a 24-hour assistance number that can help locate an appropriate clinic or English-speaking physician.
For a serious emergency, contact the local emergency number. Throughout much of the European Union, 112 can be used to reach emergency services.
Tourists should not assume that every doctor or hospital will accept American health insurance. You may be required to pay for treatment at the time it is provided and then submit documentation to your insurer for possible reimbursement.
Are Pharmacies in Europe Helpful?
European pharmacies can be extremely useful for minor illnesses.
Pharmacists are often able to recommend treatments for problems such as:
- Colds and coughs
- Minor stomach problems
- Allergies
- Headaches
- Insect bites
- Minor cuts and skin irritations
Medication names, dosages and availability can differ from those in the United States. Do not assume that a familiar medication will be sold under the same brand name or that it will contain exactly the same ingredients.
Tell the pharmacist about any allergies, health conditions and medications you are already taking.
For persistent, severe or unusual symptoms, seek qualified medical care rather than relying solely upon advice from a pharmacy.
Does Medicare Cover Medical Care in Europe?
In most situations, Original Medicare does not cover healthcare received outside the United States.
There are a few limited exceptions, but most travelers should assume that routine and emergency medical treatment overseas will not be covered by Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plans may offer certain foreign-travel benefits, but coverage depends upon the individual plan.
Before leaving the United States, contact your insurance provider and ask:
- Is emergency medical treatment outside the United States covered?
- Must I pay the medical provider first?
- Is preauthorization required?
- Is medical evacuation covered?
- Is there a deductible or coverage limit?
- Which documents will be needed to file a claim?
Do not rely upon a general statement that you have “travel coverage.” Ask specifically about overseas medical care and emergency evacuation.
Why Is Travel Medical Insurance Important?
Travel medical insurance can protect you from expenses that your regular health insurance may not cover overseas.
The U.S. government does not pay the medical bills of American citizens traveling abroad. The State Department recommends that international travelers consider insurance covering emergency medical treatment and medical evacuation.
A good policy may include coverage for:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospitalization
- Prescription medication
- Emergency dental treatment
- Medical evacuation
- Trip interruption
- Additional hotel expenses
- Transportation needed to rejoin a tour
- Assistance locating medical providers
Travel insurance and travel medical insurance are not always the same thing. Some policies emphasize trip cancellation while providing relatively limited medical coverage.
Read the policy’s exclusions, deductibles and maximum benefit amounts before purchasing it.
What Is Medical Evacuation Insurance?
Medical evacuation coverage helps pay for medically necessary transportation when appropriate treatment is unavailable at your location.
This might involve transportation to another city, another country or, in some cases, back to the United States.
Medical evacuation can be extraordinarily expensive. The U.S. State Department notes that an air ambulance evacuation to the United States can cost from approximately $20,000 to $200,000, depending upon the location and medical circumstances.
Do not assume your normal health insurance will pay for this service. Ask whether your travel insurance includes medical evacuation, who decides whether it is medically necessary and where the policy permits you to be transported.
What Happens If You Need to Leave the Tour?
A serious illness or injury may prevent you from continuing with the group.
In that situation, you may need to:
- Remain in the current city for treatment.
- Arrange additional hotel accommodations.
- Change your airline reservation.
- Travel home early.
- Rejoin the group later in the itinerary.
These arrangements can become expensive, particularly if they involve last-minute transportation or an extended hotel stay.
A tour company may assist with information and logistics, but the traveler is generally responsible for additional medical, transportation and accommodation expenses. Travel insurance may reimburse some eligible costs if the situation is covered by the policy.
Save all medical reports, receipts, transportation records and written documentation. An insurer may require them when processing a claim.
What Medications Should You Bring to Europe?
Bring enough prescription medication for the entire trip, along with a reasonable extra supply in case of travel disruption.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends including prescription and over-the-counter medications in your travel health kit and taking enough for the full trip, plus extra in case of delays.
Keep essential medication in your carry-on luggage rather than in a checked suitcase.
Whenever practical:
- Keep medication in its original labeled container.
- Carry a list of your prescriptions and dosages.
- Bring a copy of the prescription.
- Know the generic name of each medication.
- Carry a letter from your physician for controlled or injectable medication.
- Check whether your destination restricts any of your medications.
Some countries limit the types or quantities of medication that visitors may bring across the border. The CDC advises travelers to research destination-specific restrictions before departure.
What Medical Information Should You Carry?
Every international traveler should carry basic medical information that can be accessed during an emergency.
Include:
- Your full name and date of birth
- Emergency contact information
- Physician’s name and phone number
- Medical conditions
- Medication list
- Medication allergies
- Blood type, when known
- Health insurance information
- Travel insurance policy number
- Travel insurance assistance number
Keep one copy on your phone and another printed copy in your wallet or carry-on bag.
Travel companions should know where the information is stored. However, avoid placing highly sensitive personal or financial information where it could easily be lost or stolen.
Should You Travel When You Are Already Sick?
Travelers sometimes feel pressure to continue with a trip because they have already paid for it. However, traveling with a serious or contagious illness can create risks for you and others.
Before leaving home, consult your healthcare provider when you have:
- A fever
- Breathing difficulties
- Significant chest pain
- Severe stomach symptoms
- A recent operation
- A newly diagnosed medical problem
- A condition that may require treatment during the trip
Also consider the physical demands of the itinerary. A European tour may involve extended walking, stairs, cobblestones, train stations and handling luggage.
Being medically cleared to fly does not necessarily mean you are prepared for the daily physical activity required by a tour.
Is a Small Group Tour Better If You Have a Medical Problem?
A small group tour can make an unexpected illness easier to manage because travelers are not completely on their own.
An experienced tour company may know the hotels, transportation system, local guides and daily itinerary. That can make it easier to determine where you are, where the group is going next and how you might rejoin it.
Small groups may also make communication easier. The tour leader is more likely to notice when someone is missing or appears unwell than on a large motorcoach tour carrying dozens of passengers.
However, no tour company can guarantee that illness will not occur or provide the services of a personal medical attendant. Travelers must still take responsibility for their health, insurance, medications and emergency expenses.
How Can You Reduce the Chances of Getting Sick in Europe?
Not every illness is preventable, but a few sensible precautions can reduce your risk.
- Get adequate sleep before and during the trip.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Wash or sanitize your hands regularly.
- Avoid overindulging in alcohol.
- Wear properly fitted walking shoes.
- Do not attempt more physical activity than you can safely manage.
- Take prescribed medication according to schedule.
- Carry a basic travel health kit.
- Give yourself time to recover from jet lag.
- Seek medical attention before a minor problem becomes serious.
The CDC recommends that travelers consider the destination, their personal health history and the nature of the trip when preparing a travel health kit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Sick on a Group Tour
Who pays the medical bill if I get sick on tour?
The traveler is normally responsible for medical expenses. A travel insurance or health insurance policy may reimburse eligible costs, depending upon its terms.
Can the tour leader take me to the hospital?
The tour leader may be able to assist with directions, transportation or communication, but this depends upon the circumstances and responsibilities to the rest of the group.
Can I rejoin the tour after recovering?
Usually, yes, provided you are medically able to travel and can reach the group’s next destination. Any additional transportation and hotel costs may be your responsibility.
Will I receive a refund for missed sightseeing?
Usually not. Tours, guides, admissions and transportation are commonly prepaid. Travel insurance may cover certain losses resulting from a documented illness.
Should I bring antibiotics with me?
Only bring prescription medication recommended by your healthcare provider. Antibiotics do not treat every illness and should not be taken without appropriate medical advice.
Is European healthcare free for American tourists?
No. Some European residents receive healthcare through national systems, but American visitors should expect to pay for services unless their insurance arrangements provide otherwise.
Final Thoughts
Getting sick on a group tour in Europe can be stressful, but it does not always mean the entire trip is ruined.
The most important things are to report the problem early, seek proper medical attention and understand your insurance coverage before leaving home.
Carry your medications in your hand luggage, keep emergency information readily available and purchase appropriate travel medical and evacuation insurance.
An experienced small group tour operator can help you navigate an unfamiliar destination, but every traveler should be prepared to take responsibility for personal medical needs and unexpected expenses.
With thoughtful preparation, most travelers can explore Europe with greater confidence—and know what to do if an illness or injury occurs along the way.
This article provides general travel information and is not medical, insurance or legal advice. Consult your healthcare provider and insurance company regarding your individual circumstances.