Travel Vaccinations UK: What You Need and What It Costs
Which travel vaccines are free on the NHS, which are private-only, typical costs, and how far ahead to book.
By Pick My Pharmacy Editorial · Updated 9 July 2026
Start with a risk assessment
Which vaccines you need depends on your destination, itinerary, activities, and existing immunity — not a fixed list per country.
Book a travel health consultation at a pharmacy travel clinic or your GP surgery, ideally 6-8 weeks before departure. The consultation assesses your destination, how long you're travelling, what you'll be doing (such as rural travel, animal contact, or medical/humanitarian work), and your vaccination history, to recommend what you actually need rather than a generic list.
What's free on the NHS vs private-only
Hepatitis A, typhoid, and cholera vaccines are often available free from your GP surgery when travelling to a country where they're recommended. Yellow fever, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, and most meningitis strains beyond routine UK vaccination are almost always private, since they're not part of routine NHS travel provision.
Typical private costs
| Vaccine | Doses | Typical cost per dose | Often free on NHS? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | 1 | £55–£75 | Often, yes |
| Typhoid | 1 | £30–£45 | Often, yes |
| Hepatitis A + Typhoid (combined) | 1 | £85–£110 | Often, yes |
| Yellow fever | 1 | £68–£95 | No — private only, registered centres |
| Rabies | 3 | £55–£85 | No — private only |
| Japanese encephalitis | 2 | £95–£110 | No — private only |
| Meningitis ACWY | 1 | £50–£75 | No — usually private for travel |
| Cholera | 2 | £35–£85 | Often, yes |
Yellow fever centres
Yellow fever vaccination can only be given at a registered yellow fever vaccination centre, and you'll receive an International Certificate of Vaccination, which some countries require for entry. Not every pharmacy is a registered centre, so check before booking if you need this specific vaccine.
Work out your likely cost
Travel vaccination calculator
Estimate your total cost based on which vaccines you need.
Estimate costFrequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book travel vaccinations?▼
At least 6-8 weeks before you travel, since some vaccines need multiple doses spread over several weeks to give full protection, and some need time to take effect.
Are travel vaccines ever free on the NHS?▼
Yes — hepatitis A, typhoid, and cholera are commonly available free from your GP surgery for eligible destinations. Most other travel-specific vaccines are private-only.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for every country?▼
No, only for destinations that require it, often based on your travel history as well as your destination. Your travel clinic will confirm whether you need one for your specific trip.
Costs are indicative private-clinic ranges and vary by pharmacy — this guide is not personal travel health advice. Always get destination-specific advice from a registered travel clinic or your GP surgery before you travel.
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