5 tips for safe drinking water while traveling (2026 edition)

According to the CDC Yellow Book, traveler's diarrhea affects up to 70% of travelers to high-risk regions. The good news: a handful of simple habits dramatically lowers the risk — and cuts plastic waste.

1. Drink only sealed bottled water or water from a trusted filter. Check the cap is genuinely sealed. In India, Mexico, Egypt and much of Southeast Asia this is the golden rule. A reusable bottle with a hollow-fiber filter (~0.1 micron) is a sustainable alternative against bacteria and protozoa; add a UV pen or chemical treatment to handle viruses.

2. Avoid ice unless you know it was made from safe water. Freezing does not kill pathogens. Ask for 'no ice' when in doubt. Same goes for street-side fresh juices and cocktails.

3. Brush your teeth with bottled water in high-risk countries. A few drops are enough to make you sick. Keep a dedicated bottle in the bathroom and rinse your toothbrush with it.

4. Eat freshly cooked, fully heated food — peel or skip raw vegetables. 'Boil it, peel it, cook it or forget it' still applies. Salads and unpeeled fruit are often washed with local water.

5. Wash hands often with soap, or use sanitizer (≥60% alcohol). Many stomach issues come not from what you drink but from what sticks to your hands. Wash before every meal.

Bonus: oral rehydration salts (ORS). Pack a few sachets. In case of diarrhea or heavy sweating they restore electrolytes far better than plain water — recommended by both WHO and UNICEF.

When to see a doctor? Fever above 38.5°C, blood in stool, persistent vomiting, or symptoms lasting over 48 hours: see a local doctor or travel clinic. Never start antibiotics on your own.

Sources: CDC Yellow Book 2024 Food & Water chapter; WHO 'A guide on safe food for travellers'; UNICEF/WHO JMP washdata.org.