Travel Medicine · Cost

Where to fill travel meds for the lowest price

By Bidwell Cranage, APRN, FNP-C, Member, International Society of Travel Medicine · Clinically reviewed by Ashley Cranage, APRN, FNP-C · Reviewed June 18, 2026

The cheapest way to get travel medications is to pay a flat-fee visit for the prescription, then fill the generic at your own pharmacy using GoodRx or Cost Plus Drugs. That usually beats any service that bundles a marked-up medication into one price. Bidwell Health charges a flat $45 and adds no markup to your medication, you pay the pharmacy directly.

Prices verified June 2026. Cash prices below are approximate and vary by pharmacy, coupon, quantity, location, and trip length. Always compare your specific medication and dose before filling. Source: published GoodRx, Cost Plus Drugs, and pharmacy pricing.

Approximate cash prices for common travel meds

MedicationGoodRx (approx)Cost Plus DrugsRetail without a coupon
Doxycycline (malaria)~$9 to $18Among the lowest$80 to $180+
Atovaquone-proguanil (generic Malarone)~$43Carried (generic)$160 to $245
Azithromycin (traveler's diarrhea)~$10 to $15~$5$30 to $50
Acetazolamide (altitude)~$15 to $30LowHigher
Scopolamine patch (motion sickness)~$30 to $55CarriedHigher
Generic epinephrine auto-injector~$170 to $300VariesBrand EpiPen ~$650+

GoodRx vs Cost Plus vs TrumpRx

Why the visit model matters for total cost

The visit fee is only half the price. What matters is visit fee plus the medication. A service that ships a bundled pill tends to mark it up; a flat-fee visit that sends the prescription to your pharmacy lets you pay the generic cash price. For malaria, that often means roughly $55 to $88 total with us (visit plus generic) versus around $159 from a service that bundles the medication. See the full 2026 comparison.

How to pay the least, step by step

$45 flat visitNo videoNo subscriptionYou pay the pharmacy directly, nothing added

FAQ

What is the cheapest way to get travel medications?

Pay a flat-fee visit for the prescription, then fill the generic at your own pharmacy using a discount tool like GoodRx or Cost Plus Drugs. This is usually cheaper than a service that bundles a marked-up medication into one price. Bidwell Health charges a flat $45 and adds no markup to your medication.

Is GoodRx or Cost Plus cheaper for travel meds?

It depends on the drug. Cost Plus Drugs often has the lowest price on common generics like doxycycline and azithromycin, while GoodRx coupons can win at a nearby pharmacy. Compare both for your specific medication before you fill, since prices change.

Does TrumpRx have the cheapest travel meds?

Usually not for these generics. TrumpRx mainly lists brand-name drugs at negotiated prices and redirects you to manufacturers. For old, cheap generics like doxycycline and azithromycin, GoodRx or Cost Plus Drugs typically beat it. Check, but do not assume TrumpRx is lowest for travel generics.

Why is Bidwell's total cost often lower than other online services?

Because the visit is a flat $45 and we do not mark up the medication. You pay the generic cash price at your own pharmacy. Services that ship a bundled medication tend to mark it up, so their total can be higher even when their visit fee looks lower.

See travel medicine, $45 visit ›

Related

Reviewed by Bidwell Cranage, APRN, FNP-C, AANP board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Member, International Society of Travel Medicine.
Last reviewed: June 18, 2026 · Prices verified June 2026 (GoodRx, Cost Plus Drugs, published pharmacy pricing) and vary by pharmacy, coupon, quantity, and location.