How to Avoid Motion Sickness: Sea, Air or Road

Whether it's sea, air or road sickness, motion sickness is a balance disorder known as "kinetosis". It generally results in a general feeling of unwellness, mild dizziness and nausea.
In this article, we give a few tips for before and during the trip to avoid sea, air or road sickness, and explain what causes it and who can be affected.

Tips to avoid sea, air or motion sickness

Don't travel on an empty stomach

• Eat a light meal before the trip, so you don't travel on an empty stomach.
• Avoid coffee, alcohol and fatty foods.
• Favor solid meals over liquid ones.
• During the trip, eat a biscuit or a piece of bread (this will keep your stomach working).
• Chew gum to help you better fight off the discomfort.

Drive reasonably

• Are you the one driving? Drive smoothly (especially in bends), without braking or accelerating too much. Anticipate.
• If you're traveling by car, stop regularly for fresh air and to stretch your legs (at least every 2 hours).

Follow the direction of travel with your eyes

• In a car, sit in the front or in the middle of the back seats.
• On a train, tram, bus…, choose a seat facing the direction of travel.
• At sea, prefer a spot close to the waterline, rather than below (or too far above) it.
• Follow the route with your eyes and avoid focusing (for too long) on a fixed object such as a book, a game, a video, a console or a tablet. Chatting with fellow passengers helps take your mind off things and stops you focusing on motion sickness.

A bit of common sense

• Make sure there's good ventilation (fresh air).
• Don't think about the likelihood of getting sick.
• If motion sickness hits you repeatedly, keep a plastic bag close at hand… just in case!

Medical help against motion sickness

Finally, if nothing works, you can of course fall back on anti-motion-sickness medication or patches. However, consult your doctor beforehand, especially if you're traveling with young children.

Warning: this medication can cause drowsiness. It is therefore not recommended for the driver!

Where does motion sickness come from?

Motion sickness is a disorder resulting from a sensory conflict. It occurs when the balance center is disrupted following contradictory information about the position of our body.

You can, for example, feel sick when reading a book in a car. Our eyes focus on a stationary object, while our inner ear (which regulates balance) senses movement. Our brain can't properly process these contradictory signals, which leads to the symptoms of motion sickness: general unwellness, nausea, dizziness, hot flashes, vomiting, etc.

Is motion sickness a common ailment?

Medical statistics show that motion sickness affects around 5% of people traveling in a motorized road vehicle. Kinetosis is more common at sea, but is strongly dependent on certain factors, such as the type of vessel (you get "seasick" faster on a small boat than on a large ship) and the state of the sea (calm or rough). The same goes for air travel: airsickness occurs more easily in smaller aircraft and those prone to rapid changes in altitude.

Who can be affected by motion sickness?

Motion sickness can affect anyone. However, children between 3 and 12 years old, and people over 60, seem to be more sensitive. In addition, women are thought to be more sensitive than men, especially if they are pregnant.

Generally speaking, you're more sensitive to motion sickness on an empty stomach, when tired or stressed. In addition, having already experienced motion sickness before can sometimes create a feeling of anxiety that makes it more likely to occur again. External factors such as certain smells (food, perfume, tobacco), noise or heat can also intensify the symptoms.

Traveling with your dog or cat? Know that pets are also prone to motion sickness. As with humans, there is medication suited to their condition. Ask your veterinarian for advice.

First published: 03/2014 - Updated: 07/2025