UK travel health
Malaria tablets cost in the UK
Malaria tablets are not a vaccine. The right antimalarial depends on destination, resistance patterns, trip length, medical history and side-effect profile.
Last updated: 2026-05-11. Prices shown in GBP unless stated.
Quick answer
In the UK, malaria tablets commonly cost around GBP20-GBP120 per trip depending on the medicine, number of tablets and whether a private prescription or consultation fee is charged.
Cost and access breakdown
| Item | Indicative cost | Access route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atovaquone/proguanil | Higher per-tablet cost | Private prescription | Often shorter post-travel dosing than some alternatives. |
| Doxycycline | Often lower medicine cost | Private prescription | May not suit everyone; side effects and sun sensitivity matter. |
| Mefloquine | Clinic-specific | Private prescription | Suitability depends on medical history and destination. |
| Consult or prescription fee | May be extra | GP, pharmacy or travel clinic | Ask for total trip cost, not only tablet price. |
Timing
- Start before entering a malaria area.
- Continue during travel and for the recommended period after leaving.
- Use bite avoidance as well as tablets.
Quote checks
Which medicine is suitable for the destination?
How many tablets are needed for the trip length?
Is a consult or prescription fee extra?
What side effects or interactions matter?
Clinical checks before booking
- Medicine choice depends on destination resistance patterns, trip length, pregnancy status, age, medical history and interactions.
- Side effects differ by medicine; doxycycline can increase sun sensitivity, and mefloquine has important mental-health cautions.
- Bite avoidance remains important even when tablets are prescribed.
Itemised price components
Medicine cost
GBP20-GBP120 / A$20-A$150 per course
Depends on medicine and number of tablets.
Consultation or prescription fee
May be extra
Ask for the full trip cost.
Extra tablets
Trip-length dependent
Longer trips need more tablets.
Scraped provider evidence
Public provider pages monitored for prices, vaccine availability and city coverage.
| Provider | Market | Signal | Captured price/status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MASTA Travel Health | UK | Malaria | Service mentioned; price not published in crawlable text |
| MASTA Travel Health | UK | Atovaquone | £28.00 |
| MASTA Travel Health | UK | Doxycycline | £28.00 |
| Superdrug Health Clinics | UK | Travel vaccination service | Published service page monitored |
UK travel vaccine price context
| Travel health consultation | GBP25-GBP50 | Private clinic or pharmacy | Check whether advice is charged separately from vaccines. |
| Hepatitis A | GBP40-GBP80 | NHS or private | Often available free on the NHS when clinically indicated for travel. |
| Typhoid | GBP30-GBP50 | NHS or private | Often available free on the NHS when clinically indicated for travel. |
| Yellow fever | GBP60-GBP100 | Approved centre only | Certificate may be required for entry to some countries. |
| Rabies pre-exposure | GBP50-GBP70 per dose | Private | Usually a multi-dose course. |
| Japanese encephalitis | GBP90-GBP110 per dose | Private | Usually a two-dose course. |
| Malaria tablets | GBP20-GBP120 per course | Private | Cost depends on medicine and trip duration. |
Related travel vaccine guides
Sources & further reading
- NHS travel vaccinations — UK NHS guidance on travel vaccines and which vaccines may be available from GP practices.
- TravelHealthPro — NaTHNaC destination-specific travel health advice and vaccine guidance.
- NaTHNaC yellow fever centres — UK Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre registry and certification context.
- WHO travel and health — International travel health and vaccination requirement context.
Travel vaccine prices vary by clinic, destination, eligibility, product availability and whether a consultation or certificate fee is included. Use this page as a cost guide, not personal medical advice.