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Motion Sickness: Symptoms, Who's at Risk, and How to Prevent It

• Who Is at Risk
• Medications
• Health Conditions
• When to Get Help

Motion sickness ( kinetosis ) causes symptoms that include dizziness, nausea , and headache . It occurs when you're moving (in a car, for example) and your brain receives mixed signals from your body, inner ear, and eyes about its surroundings. For instance, if you're below deck on a boat, your inner ear may sense rolling waves but your eyes don't see them. It is also called vertigo or seasickness , and is common in both children and adults, though some risk factors make it more likely.

Motion sickness also can occur due to flight simulators, gaming, amusement park rides, and other "virtual reality" experiences. Self-driving (automated) vehicles also lead to episodes of motion sickness, as people read or work on other tasks rather than driving themselves.

This article explains the symptoms of motion sickness, their causes, and who's at risk. It presents tips on managing your symptoms and ways to prevent motion sickness before it happens.

Illustration by Maritsa Patrinos for Verywell Health

Who Is at Higher Risk for Motion Sickness?

Studies have shown that essentially everyone has the potential to get motion sickness because it's related to the vestibular system (and its ear-related role in motion, balance, and coordination).  It's common, with one study finding up to 25% of large ship passengers (even more on smaller boats) will develop motion sickness within two to three days of the start of an ocean voyage.

For some people, it starts right away, while others only feel sick after they’ve been moving for a long time. Some people are more likely to get motion sickness, including:

• Children aged 2 to 12 years (it can occur in younger children)
• Younger adults (compared with those over age 60)
• People who are pregnant
• People who get migraine headaches

Other factors that contribute to risk include:

• Alcohol and drug use
• Being sleep deprived
• Poor airflow in a vehicle
• Certain odors, including diesel fuel or cigarette smoke

A small study has shown that people who don't know when or how motion will occur may have more difficulty. Facing forward and watching the horizon may help deal with unpredictable motion and motion sickness.

Hormones and Motion Sickness

Females are more likely than males to get motion sickness, partly because of hormones.  Estrogen , the primary female sex hormone, can contribute to symptoms of nausea and dizziness. Studies have shown that the menstrual cycle, as well as estrogen drugs or supplements, can affect how someone experiences motion sickness.

Symptoms of Motion Sickness

Symptoms of motion sickness can vary significantly from person to person, and the degree to which you feel ill can be less severe or more severe than other people who suffer from vertigo.

Nausea and vomiting are common, but they are not the only symptoms of motion sickness. Other symptoms may include:

• Cold sweats and clammy hands
• Hyperventilation (rapid breathing)
• Sensitivity to smells
• Loss of appetite (clinically called anorexia )
• Excessive salivation
• Warm, flushed sensation

Sopite Syndrome

Some people have a subcategory of motion sickness called sopite syndrome. The main symptoms of sopite syndrome include:

• Drowsiness and lethargy
• Mild depression
• Reduced ability to focus on an assigned task

Nausea and vomiting are not symptoms of sopite syndrome, which is one way it’s different from more common types of motion sickness. Sopite symptoms also may occur alone, or they may last longer than other motion sickness symptoms. The precise cause remains unclear, but it's possible another mechanism (including ear-related) is at work.

Medications Can Cause Motion Sickness

Motion sickness symptoms (or their increased severity) can be caused by certain medications. Both prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can cause side effects that result in motion sickness symptoms even when you’re not actually moving.

Nausea, dizziness, and feeling off balance are the vertigo-like side effects that can occur with a wide range of medications. Some of the common medications that may cause these symptoms include:

• Antibiotics such as penicillin, Suprax (cefixime), and Cipro (ciprofloxacin)
• Estrogen-containing medications such as birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy
• Bisphosphonates , such as Binosto (alendronate)
• Lanoxin ( digoxin )
• Inbrija (levodopa)
• Narcotic pain medications like Kadian (morphine), OxyContin ( oxycodone ), or Hysingla ER (hydrocodone)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline)
• Statins such as Crestor (rosuvastatin) and Zocor (simvastatin)

Even if you do feel discomfort, do not skip or stop taking your medications without talking to your provider.

If you will be traveling and are worried about motion sickness occurring or being more severe with a medication, talk to your healthcare provider. They may say that you can safely take your dose in a different way (for example, at a different time) to help prevent symptoms. 

Motion Sickness Symptoms and Health Conditions

Motion sickness usually stops within eight hours of ending the activity or movement. If your symptoms do not get better when you stop moving, it could be another condition that causes the same symptoms as motion sickness and you should talk to your provider.

Conditions that can cause similar symptoms to motion sickness include:

• Fluid in the ear
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
• Meniere’s disease

Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment for Motion Sickness

There are a few treatment options for motion sickness. If you're taking medication before traveling, your healthcare provider may suggest a small dose before your trip to see how well it works.

Common medications for treating motion sickness include:

• Bonine (meclizine)
• Dramamine (dimenhydrinate)
• Phenergan ( promethazine )

Other options include:

• Anticholinergic drugs , including scopolamine (like the Transderm Scop patch)
• Benzodiazepines like Valium (diazepam)
• Dopamine receptor antagonists like Reglan (metoclopramide)

Acupuncture and other complementary medicine options, such as using the P6 pressure point to control nausea , exist for treating motion sickness. Some experts recommend ginger. However, there is limited research support for their benefits, and motion sickness remains easier to prevent than treat.

Preventing Motion Sickness

Changing your activities or position can help with motion sickness, though reading often leads to motion sickness. Lying down can help, as does limiting your visual input (for example, trees that seem to move as you pass them).

You can also try:

• Sitting in the front seat, if in a vehicle
• Turning air vents toward your face
• Keeping your head still
• Avoiding heavy meals or alcohol use

Natural remedies may help with motion sickness symptoms and their prevention. Try deep breathing exercises, which have been shown to help with seasickness in simulated exercises.

Physical therapy to help you adapt to motion may help, as can transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation ( TENS ) using a small device that generates impulses. Cognitive behavioral therapy also may help to treat anxiety related to motion sickness.

Try Not to Think About Motion Sickness

Research has suggested that people who think they will get motion sickness are more likely to. You might be able to avoid or at least prevent motion sickness from getting worse by changing your thoughts and finding a distraction.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Most people see a healthcare provider for motion sickness ahead of planned travel, in order to seek preventive treatment, but other situations do arise. The most common complications of motion sickness include vomiting that leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances , which can be treated easily. These conditions can, however, cause serious illness in some people.

Other conditions with symptoms similar to motion sickness include:

• Low blood sugar ( hypoglycemia ), which requires immediate care in people diagnosed with diabetes
• Stroke , a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention
• Traumatic head injury and concussion, commonly caused by sports injuries or accidents

If you feel sick after you hit your head or were in an accident, go to the emergency room or call 911.

Keep in mind that motion sickness usually goes away fairly quickly once you’ve stopped moving. If it’s been more than eight hours and you’re still having symptoms, call your provider.

While nausea and vomiting are common, they are not the only symptoms of motion sickness. Some people have other symptoms like fatigue and mood changes. Medications, hormones, and certain activities can make you more likely to get motion sickness.

It's easier to prevent motion sickness than treat it, so talk to your healthcare provider about medication and other treatment options.

If feelings of illness do not go away after the motion stops, your symptoms could be due to another condition. See your healthcare provider if you have motion sickness symptoms that last longer than eight hours.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Motion Sickness .

Golding JF. Motion sickness . Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;137:371-390. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-63437-5.00027-3

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Foster M, Singh N, Kwok K, Macefield VG. Vestibular modulation of skin sympathetic nerve activity in sopite syndrome induced by low-frequency sinusoidal motion. J Neurophysiol . 2020 Dec 1;124(6):1551-1559. doi: 10.1152/jn.00177.2020. 

Leung AK, Hon KL. Motion sickness: an overview . Drugs Context . 2019 Dec 13;8:2019-9-4. doi: 10.7573/dic.2019-9-4. 

Lipson S, Wang A, Corcoran M, Zhou G, Brodsky JR. Severe motion sickness in infants and children . Eur J Paediatr Neurol . 2020 Sep;28:176-179. doi:10.1016/j.ejpn.2020.06.010.

Laitinen L, Nurmi M, Ellilä P, Rautava P, Koivisto M, Polo-Kantola P. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: associations with personal history of nausea and affected relatives . Arch Gynecol Obstet . 2020 Oct;302(4):947-955. doi: 10.1007/s00404-020-05683-3. 

Jones MLH, Le VC, Ebert SM, Sienko KH, Reed MP, Sayer JR. Motion sickness in passenger vehicles during test track operations . Ergonomics . 2019 Oct;62(10):1357-1371. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2019.1632938.

Peddareddygari LR, Kramer PD, Hanna PA, Levenstien MA, Grewal RP. Genetic Analysis of a Large Family with Migraine, Vertigo, and Motion Sickness . Can J Neurol Sci . 2019 Sep;46(5):512-517. doi: 10.1017/cjn.2019.64.

Kuiper OX, Bos JE, Schmidt EA, Diels C, Wolter S. Knowing What's Coming: Unpredictable Motion Causes More Motion Sickness . Hum Factors . 2020 Dec;62(8):1339-1348. doi: 10.1177/0018720819876139.

Smith PF, Agrawal Y, Darlington CL. Sexual dimorphism in vestibular function and dysfunction . J Neurophysiol . 2019;121(6):2379-2391. doi:10.1152/jn.00074.2019

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Motion Sickness .

Varis N, Leinonen A, Perälä J, Leino TK, Husa L, Sovelius R. Delayed Drowsiness After Normobaric Hypoxia Training in an F/A-18 Hornet Simulator . Aerosp Med Hum Perform . 2023 Sep 1;94(9):715-718. doi:10.3357/AMHP.6238.2023. 

Altissimi G, Colizza A, Cianfrone G, et al. Drugs inducing hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness and vertigo: an updated guide . Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci . 2020;24(15):7946-7952. doi:10.26355/eurrev_202008_22477

Seattle Children's Hospital. Motion sickness .

Hromatka BS, Tung JY, Kiefer AK, Do CB, Hinds DA, Eriksson N. Genetic variants associated with motion sickness point to roles for inner ear development, neurological processes and glucose homeostasis .  Hum Mol Genet . 2015;24(9):2700-2708. doi:10.1093/hmg/ddv028

Golding JF, Patel M. Meniere's, migraine, and motion sickness . Acta Otolaryngol. 2017;137(5):495-502. doi:10.1080/00016489.2016.1255775

Koch A, Cascorbi I, Westhofen M, Dafotakis M, Klapa S, Kuhtz-Buschbeck JP. The neurophysiology and treatment of motion sickness .  Dtsch Arztebl Int . 2018;115(41):687-696. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0687

Stromberg SE, Russell ME, Carlson CR.  Diaphragmatic breathing and its effectiveness for the management of motion sickness . Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015;86(5):452-7.

Huppert D, Benson J, Brandt T. A historical view of motion sickness - a plague at sea and on land, also with military impact .  Front Neurol . 2017;8:114. doi:10.3389/fneur.2017.00114

Shen Y, Qi X. Update on diagnosis and differential diagnosis of vestibular migraine . Neurol Sci . 2022;43(3):1659-1666. doi:10.1007/s10072-022-05872-9

By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children.

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Motion Sickness

Motion sickness happens when the movement you see is different from what your inner ear senses. This can cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. You can get motion sick in a car, or on a train, airplane, boat, or amusement park ride. Motion sickness can make traveling unpleasant, but there are strategies to prevent and treat it.

Preventing motion sickness without medicine

Avoiding situations that cause motion sickness is the best way to prevent it, but that is not always possible when you are traveling. The following strategies can help you avoid or lessen motion sickness.

• Sit in the front of a car or bus.
• Choose a window seat on flights and trains.
• If possible, try lying down, shutting your eyes, sleeping, or looking at the horizon.
• Stay hydrated by drinking water. Limit alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.
• Eat small amounts of food frequently.
• Avoid smoking. Even stopping for a short period of time helps.
• Try and distract yourself with activities, such as listening to music.
• Use flavored lozenges, such as ginger candy.

Using medicines for motion sickness

Medicines can be used to prevent or treat motion sickness, although many of them cause drowsiness. Talk to a healthcare professional to decide if you should take medicines for motion sickness. Commonly used medicines are diphenhydramine (Benadryl), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), and scopolamine.

Special Consideration for Children

Motion sickness is more common in children ages 2 to 12 years old.

Some medicines used to prevent or treat motion sickness are not recommended for children. Talk to your healthcare professional about medicines and correct dosing of medicines for motion sickness for children. Only give the recommended dosage.

Although motion sickness medicines can make people sleepy, it can have the opposite effect for some children, causing them to be very active. Ask your doctor if you should give your child a test dose before traveling.

More Information

Motion Sickness in CDC Yellow Book

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Motion Sickness

Last Updated June 2023 | This article was created by familydoctor.org editorial staff and reviewed by Deepak S. Patel, MD, FAAFP, FACSM

Table of Contents

What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness is a sick feeling triggered by movement. It occurs in cars, buses, trains, planes, or boats. It can occur on amusement rides or virtual reality experiences. Seeing the movement of others or things can trigger it. This condition is not life-threatening, however, it can make traveling unpleasant. Planning ahead helps prevent, avoid, or reduce the effects. Other triggers include:

• Being in the back seat of a car unable to see the horizon
• Reading in the car
• Not getting enough air in the car

Motion sickness is common in older people, pregnant women, and children between the ages of 5 and 12. Also, it’s common in people who have migraine headaches. It may be genetic. Once the motion stops, you’ll gradually feel better. In rare cases, the condition is triggered by a problem with your inner ear. This could be due to fluid buildup or an ear infection. Parkinson’s disease is another cause of the condition.

Symptoms can strike without warning. They can get worse quickly. You may feel sick to your stomach (nausea). Other symptoms include vomiting, pale skin, headache, a cold sweat, dizziness, and irritability.

What causes motion sickness?

Motion sickness is an imbalance between what you see and what you feel. In the car, the car is moving forward. However, your body is standing still. This imbalance is what causes you to feel sick.

You may notice a pattern of sickness when you travel. See your doctor if you experience motion sickness repeatedly. Your doctor will do a physical exam. They will look inside your ears and at your eyes. Your doctor will ask you questions about your health history before recommending treatment.

Prevention Tips

If you know you get motion sickness when traveling, plan ahead. These steps can prevent it or relieve the symptoms:

• Take motion sickness medicine one to two hours before traveling.
• Choose the right seat. The front passenger seat is best in the car. Choose the midpoint on a boat. Sit over the wing on a plane. Face forward on a train. Sit near a window on a train. These seats have fewer bumps. They allow you to see the horizon. If you are on a cruise, book a cabin in the front or middle of the ship. Request a room that is closest to the water level.
• Get plenty of air. Use the air conditioner or roll down the window in a car. Direct the vent toward you on a plane. Sit near a window when you’re on a covered boat.
• Avoid things you can’t change. For example, don’t ride on a speed boat. Waves and bumps can make you sick. If you can’t avoid it, take medicine in advance.
• Don’t read while riding in a car, plane, or boat. Look out the window at the horizon. Look at a distant object.
• Lie down when you feel sick.
• Avoid a heavy meal before or during travel. Eat small portions of plain food instead. Don’t eat greasy, spicy, or acidic foods before or during travel.
• Drink lots of water. Avoid alcohol.
• Talk to your doctor about different therapies. This might include pressure bands (worn on your wrist).

If your symptoms last longer than a few days, see your doctor.

Common medicines that treat motion sickness include Benadryl, Dramamine, and scopolamine. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends scopolamine. It eases nausea and vomiting. It does not make you sleepy. A skin patch works best.

Antihistamines (one brand name: Benadryl) are helpful. However, these usually make you sleepy. Non-drowsy antihistamines are not effective in treating or preventing motion sickness. Another type of medicine is called antiemetics. These are used to treat nausea and vomiting.

Some of these medicines are prescription. Some are available over-the-counter. Talk to your doctor to determine which is best for you. These medicines work best when taken before you travel.

Once nausea begins, eat a few, plain crackers and drink clear, fizzy drinks (ginger ale is best) to relieve nausea.

Living with motion sickness

Planning ahead is the best advice for motion sickness. If your symptoms are mild, medicines are effective. Be sure to carry the proper medications with you while traveling.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Can medicine help after the symptoms start?
• Is motion sickness a sign of a more serious health problem?
• Can I take motion sickness medicine if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Are motion sickness medicines safe to take with other medicines?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Motion Sickness

National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Motion Sickness

Last Updated: August 11, 2021

This article was contributed by: familydoctor.org editorial staff and Alex Rice

Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

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Motion sickness

Motion sickness is feeling dizzy, or feeling or being sick when travelling by car, boat, plane or train. You can do things to prevent it or relieve the symptoms.

Check if you have motion sickness

Symptoms of motion sickness may include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• feeling cold and going pale

How to ease motion sickness yourself

Do reduce motion – sit in the front of a car or in the middle of a boat look straight ahead at a fixed point, such as the horizon breathe fresh air if possible – for example, by opening a car window close your eyes and breathe slowly while focusing on your breathing distract children by talking, listening to music or singing songs break up long journeys to get some fresh air, drink water or take a walk try ginger, which you can take as a tablet, biscuit or tea don’t.

do not read, watch films or use electronic devices

do not look at moving objects, such as passing cars or rolling waves

do not eat heavy meals, spicy foods or drink alcohol shortly before or during travel

do not go on fairground rides if they make you feel unwell

A pharmacist can help with motion sickness

You can buy remedies from pharmacies to help prevent motion sickness, including:

• tablets – dissolvable tablets are available for children
• patches – can be used by adults and children over 10
• acupressure bands – these do not work for everyone

A pharmacist will be able to recommend the best treatment for you or your child.

Causes of motion sickness

Motion sickness is caused by repeated movements when travelling, like going over bumps in a car or moving up and down in a boat, plane or train.

The inner ear sends different signals to your brain from those your eyes are seeing. These confusing messages cause you to feel unwell.

Page last reviewed: 19 June 2023 Next review due: 19 June 2026

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March 10, 2022

Explaining motion sickness: Why some people feel sick in cars or on trains

by Saima Rajasingam, The Conversation

If you're someone who suffers from motion sickness, traveling in many types of vehicles can be difficult thanks to a host of symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea and even vomiting. But it's not completely clear why some people can read and play games on their phone during a long drive while others spend the journey desperately trying not to be sick. Nor is it clear why some people only experience motion sickness in certain types of vehicles and not others.

But there are two theories that might help explain what's going on.

The sensory conflict theory proposes that a key player in motion sickness is our balance system. Balance is not maintained by just one single sensory organ. Rather, it combines what we're seeing and feeling with information from the balance organ in our inner ears, which helps our balance system work out exactly where we are.

If the information from our eyes, inner ears and touch or pressure senses doesn't match up, it can make us feel off-balance or unsteady. This is why it's thought that motion sickness is caused by a mismatch of information from our senses—with our eyes and inner ear telling our body that we're moving, even though we're actually sitting stationary. This is also why the less sensory mismatch we experience in a vehicle , the less likely we are to experience motion sickness. For example, traveling in a car on a smooth, straight road will cause less sensory mismatch than traveling on a winding road with lots of potholes.

This theory is currently considered the strongest explanation for motion sickness—though we're still trying to understand the brain mechanisms that cause motion sickness .

An alternate (but related) theory suggests that it's all down to controlling posture . According to this theory, motion sickness doesn't happen just because of the mismatch of sensory information. Rather, it's our inability to adjust our posture to reduce this mismatch of sensory information that makes us feel nauseous. While this makes sense—especially since we can't always move around when traveling—there isn't much evidence to support this theory.

No single reason

Motion sickness affects people differently, and there's no single reason why some people experience motion sickness more frequently than others. But differences in how well a person's vision and balance systems work will affect how they may feel in different types of vehicles. Certain disorders—including migraines and inner ear diseases, such as Ménière's disease— increase the likelihood of experiencing motion sickness. Age and sex may also affect likelihood of experiencing motion sickness—with some research suggesting experiences peak around nine or ten years of age, and are more common in women. However, it is uncertain as to why this may be the case.

The type of vehicle people travel in will also have some affect on the amount of motion sickness a person may experience. Broadly, any factor that increases the mismatch between each of the senses that contribute to our balance system will increase the risk of motion sickness. The longer the experience lasts and the larger the size of the movement, the worse the symptoms. For example, traveling on a small boat in a storm for more than eight hours will cause quite severe symptoms—whereas a one-hour train journey will probably have little effect, even if the track isn't perfectly smooth.

Many people also report experiencing motion sickness when they're a passenger—not when they're driving a vehicle. This is probably because drivers are (unsurprisingly) much better at anticipating the motion of a vehicle and move their bodies according to the movement of the vehicle. For example, if a car travels around a sharp bend, the driver is going to be looking ahead and anticipating the movement of the car as they turn—while a passenger is likely to react as the turn happens by leaning in the opposite direction.

Motion sickness also isn't limited to the " real world ," with cybersickness another type of motion sickness that people get from the virtual environments, often when playing video games. This likely happens because of the sensory conflict of seeing the environment move on the screen while the body remains stationary. Watching films in 3D at the cinema can prompt motion sickness for the same reason.

If you're someone who suffers from motion sickness, the best thing to do the next time you're in a vehicle is try to reduce the mismatch of sensory information. So avoid reading in the car—as this causes a mismatch between what we're seeing and what we're feeling—and try to instead look out the window. This may help reduce nausea as the visual information now better matches the balance information in our the inner ear. The same is true for boats and trains—focusing on the passing landscape can reduce symptoms.

Other tips to reduce motion sickness include not having a heavy meal before travel, ventilating the vehicle and taking regular stops (when possible). But if these tips aren't enough to tackle symptoms, using an anti-motion sickness medication may help. These reduce activity in the balance system of the brain or reduce the number of signals the brain sends to the gut, which can help to stop nausea and vomiting.

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• Children's health

What causes car sickness in children and how can I prevent it?

Car sickness is a type of motion sickness. Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting information from the inner ears, eyes, and nerves in the joints and muscles.

Imagine a young child sitting low in the back seat of a car without being able to see out the window — or an older child reading a book in the car. The child's inner ear will sense motion, but his or her eyes and body won't. The result might be an upset stomach, cold sweat, fatigue, loss of appetite or vomiting.

It's not clear why car sickness affects some children more than others. While the problem doesn't seem to affect most infants and toddlers, children ages 2 to 12 are particularly susceptible.

To prevent car sickness in children, you might try the following strategies:

• Reduce sensory input. Encourage your child to look at things outside the car rather than focusing on books, games or screens. If your child naps, traveling during nap time might help.
• Carefully plan pre-trip meals. Don't give your child a large meal immediately before or during car travel. If the trip will be long or your child needs to eat, give him or her a small, bland snack — such as dry crackers and a small drink — before it's time to go.
• Provide air ventilation. Adequate air ventilation might help prevent car sickness.
• Offer distractions. If your child is prone to car sickness, try distracting him or her during car trips by talking, listening to music or singing songs.
• Use medication. If you're planning a car trip, ask your child's doctor about using an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl), to prevent car sickness. Both medications work best if taken about an hour before traveling. Read the product label carefully to determine the correct dose and be prepared for possible side effects, such as drowsiness. Nondrowsy antihistamines don't appear to be effective at treating motion sickness.

If your child starts to develop car sickness, stop the car as soon as possible and let your child get out and walk around or lie on his or her back for a few minutes with closed eyes. Placing a cool cloth on your child's forehead also might help.

If these tips don't help or if your child's car sickness makes travel difficult, talk to your child's doctor about other options.

Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.

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• Concussion in children
• Brunette GW, et al., eds. Motion sickness. In: CDC Yellow Book 2020: Health Information for International Travel. Oxford University Press; 2019. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/travel-by-air-land-sea/motion-sickness. Accessed Feb. 24, 2020.
• Motion sickness. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/motion-sickness/motion-sickness#. Accessed Feb. 24, 2020.
• Priesol AJ. Motion sickness. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 24, 2020.
• Altmann T, et al., eds. Head, neck, and nervous system. In: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. 7th ed. Bantam; 2019.

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How to manage motion sickness

Peer reviewed by Dr Krishna Vakharia, MRCGP Last updated by Amberley Davis Last updated 7 Feb 2023

Have you ever felt sick or dizzy in a moving vehicle? Perhaps you've also broken out in a cold sweat, felt weak, or developed a headache at the same time? Motion sickness may be common, but this doesn't mean you can't prevent or treat it.

In this article :

Why am i getting motion sickness, how to stop motion sickness, when to see a doctor for motion sickness, further reading.

Continue reading below

Motion sickness - also called travel sickness - can affect anyone, and most people have experienced it at some point in their lives. This is especially true during childhood. In fact, some studies suggest that more than 40% of children get motion sick in a car or on a bus 1 .

Why does this happen? It's all to do with the signals that are sent to your brain while you're in motion. The unusual movements you feel while travelling send lots of messages to the brain, including from mechanisms in your inner ear that send information about your position.

However, your eyes can contradict these messages if they're focused on objects that aren't moving, like the inside of a car. This results in a confusing mix of messages, and it's this confusion that causes motion sickness.

You might be particularly vulnerable to motion sickness. Scientists aren't clear why it can affect some more than others, but this doesn't mean that you can't prevent, ease, or eradicate this unpleasant and inconvenient sensation. The techniques below are usually highly effective and most are non-medical.

1. Eat light before your travel

If you know that you're heading on a car journey, catching the bus, boarding a plane or boat, or riding a fairground ride, be mindful of what you eat and when. Alcohol and heavy meals - especially fatty and spicy food - can upset your stomach, making motion sickness worse. Instead, opt for light meals at least an hour before travelling to give your food time to digest.

2. Plan where you sit

In a vehicle, where you position yourself matters. Always try and face forward and sit as far away as possible from the jittering movements and potent smells of an engine.

To keep motion to a minimum in a:

Car - sit in the front.

Bus - sit by a window.

Train - sit forward-facing by a window.

Boat - sit on the upper deck in the middle.

Plane - sit over the wing.

3. Break long car journeys up

If you're planning a long car journey, it's a good idea to take regular breaks. Getting out the car and taking a short walk in the fresh air gives your brain a break from the mixed signals its receiving about your movement and balance.

4. Put down that book or electronic screen

Focussing your eyes on something that isn't moving while other mechanisms are sensing that you're in motion is a big trigger for motion sickness. This is why many people find they can't read books or watch films for long before feeling sick. Avoid too much electronic screen time - even when you're not travelling, screen scrolling can trigger something similar to motion sickness called cybersickness 2 .

5. Find different stimulants in the vehicle

How else can you entertain yourself? Looking forward at a fixed point, like a horizon, may help prevent motion sickness, but if you need more mental stimulation, you could try listening to music, a podcast, or an audio book with your eyes closed. Not only will this avoid sending confusing signals from your eyes to your brain, but sounds may also distract your brain and reduce sensitivity to these signals.

6. Rest your eyes

If you find resting easy while on the move, keeping your eyes closed is one of the most effective ways to halt the symptoms of motion sickness. Sleeping is even better - alongside shutting off signals from your eyes to your brain, a sleeping brain may also be able to ignore some of the disruptive motion signals it's receiving.

7. Locate fixed points outside the vehicle

When looking out a window or on a boat deck, fix your gaze on something that isn't moving. Watching trees and other cars go by outside a window - or waves roll by on a boat deck - can make motion sickness worse. That isn't to say that you should avoid gazing out altogether - if you feel seasick inside a boat, stepping out onto the deck and finding a fixed point on the horizon can help rectify the mismatch of signals in your brain that tell you you're moving without a visual reference 3 .

Patient picks for Travel related problems

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Altitude sickness

8. breathe in fresh air.

When travelling by road, rail, or seadrink in fresh air as often as possible. Usually, this means sitting by an open window - but be careful to avoid strong petrol or diesel fumes.

9. Focus on your breathing

Some studies show that diaphragmic breathing - taking deep and slow breathes in and out - can help ease the unpleasant side effects of travelling 4 . It's a simple enough technique, but you can learn the most effective way to do it here .

10. Soothe an unsettled tummy

When it comes to treating motion sickness, what you feed your tummy matters. Taking small sips of cold water can help. Some natural food flavourings can also settle your stomach and relieve symptoms:

Ginger flavoured snacks or drinks - effective for all symptoms of motion sickness 5 .

Peppermint flavoured snacks or drinks - have a numbing and calming effect that helps ease nausea and headaches 6 .

11. Try over-the-counter medicines

If these natural techniques aren't enough, your local pharmacy will have motion sickness medicine. This ranges from homeopathic remedies, like acupressure wrist bands, to tablets and patches that usually contain the ingredients hyoscine and antihistamines . Hyoscine is considered the most effective medicine for motion sickness.

If you're getting medicine for your child, ask your pharmacist which brands are suitable for children, and about any side effects.

In nearly all cases, motion sickness naturally stops once your journey is over. You should visit your doctor if:

You're still experiencing symptoms long after the journey has ended.

You feel like you have motion sickness when you haven't been moving.

You're experiencing other symptoms like chest pain or hearing loss.

Your doctor can work out if your motion sickness is particularly severe and may be able to prescribe stronger medicines . They can also investigate if your symptoms are a sign of another health problem that needs addressing.

Henriques et al: Motion sickness prevalence in school children .

Iowa State University: Screentime can maje you feel sick – here are ways to manage cybersickness .

The Vision Therapy Center: The surprising reason why you suffer from motion sickness .

Stromberg et al: Diaphragmatic breathing and its effectiveness for the management of motion sickness .

Nunes et al: Clinical evaluation of the use of ginger extract in the preventive management of motion sickness .

Mohr et al: Peppermint essential oil for nausea and vomiting in hospitalized patients: incorporating holistic patient decision making into the research design .

Article History

The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

7 Feb 2023 | Latest version

Last updated by

Peer reviewed by

7 Feb 2023 | Originally published

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Travel Sickness – 36 Tried and Tested Tips to Help You

• 22 February 2024

I’ve suffered from travel sickness all my life and get sick in cars, on coaches, on planes and on boats.

Over the years I’ve tried all sorts of treatments with varying impacts. Here are all the things that I have found that help.

Links You Might Find Helpful: Private Tour Operator Shore Excursions from Inverness Private Half-Day Car Tour to Loch Ness for Up to 3 People More Private Tour Shore Excursion Options

Travel Sickness

Table of Contents

What is travel sickness?

Travel sickness, sometimes described as motion sickness, is a feeling of nausea and dizziness. It is caused when the brain becomes confused by receiving differing information from your eyes and your inner ear.

1. Travel Sickness – What Is It Like?

It’s pretty grim and it does take the fun out of travelling because all your attention is on trying not to be ill.

Travel sickness symptoms include;

• Nausea (feeling sick) which can lead to being sick
• Mouth watering
• Feeling hot and sweaty
• Having a headache
• Burping (often feeling like you are going to be sick)
• Feeling tired

It can come on quite quickly and be difficult to shift.

Read on for my tips on how to prevent travel sickness in the first place!

2. Can You Cure Travel Sickness?

In my experience, you can’t cure travel sickness. Children may grow out of travel experience but for adults, it is a case of managing the symptoms.

Good prevention techniques and a bit of planning will significantly reduce travel sickness symptoms.

3. How Long Does Travel Sickness Last?

Travel sickness can last longer than the time you are travelling. The fluid in your inner ear can be disturbed and this can take quite a while to settle down.

After journeys that have been long, or perhaps difficult because they have been bumpy or undulating you can feel like you are still moving even when you have stopped.

However, for most people travel sickness will stop soon after you have stopped moving.

4. How Do You Stop Travel Sickness?

You can’t stop travel sickness but you can take steps to reduce the chances of getting it and minimise any potential symptoms.

Here are my tried and tested tips and techniques for preventing and managing various types of travel sickness.

5. Reducing Car Sickness

Here are how I avoid travel sickness when travelling in a car;

• Offering to drive – this is an easy way to never get travel sick in a car but it’s not always that practical if you are travelling with others.
• Avoid getting too hot by turning the air conditioning down, pointing the air vents towards you so there is a breeze on your face, and reducing the sun on your face and head.
• Use a handheld fan to ensure you don’t get too hot.
• Opening the window to get some fresh air in the car.
• Looking out the front window and looking straight ahead as much as possible.
• Avoiding reading whether that be books, online documents or even reading messages.
• Keeping hydrated with regular sips of water – too much water can make you feel a bit sick so be careful.
• Sucking on ginger sweets keeps any early feelings of nausea at bay.

6. Reducing Sea Sickness

Here are the ways I avoid seasickness when travelling by boat/ship;

• Finding a seat that is near the centre of the boat to avoid the extremes of movement.
• Focussing on the view at the front of the boat, but avoiding looking at the front of the boat itself as seeing this going up and down against the horizon can cause sickness.
• Keeping cool by staying out of the sun and finding somewhere to sit with a cooler temperature.
• Sucking on ginger sweets to keep early feelings of nausea at bay.
• Staying outside if the boat is moving around a lot – staying in the cold open air can often prevent nausea, but a coat and hat may be needed if the weather is rough.
• Avoid moving around the boat when it is rough or bumpy.
• Check if there are likely to be any bumpy patches during your journey and planning. For example one of the Scottish ferries crosses a water channel which is always rough and bumpy. To avoid feeling ill I always go outside ahead of arriving at this water channel and come back inside once we have passed through it.
• Avoiding excessive drinking and eating. Eating and drinking too much can make any potential seasickness worse, although not eating enough can also increase feelings of seasickness. If the journey is relatively short then consider your eating plans for the day and make sure you don’t end up being hungry on the boat.
• Drinking excessive alcohol can make travel sickness worse. Ginger beer and tonic water can help minimise feelings of sickness so perhaps consider them instead of alcohol?
• Keeping a handheld fan available to help you stay cool.
• If you are travelling overnight on a ferry then I would recommend a cabin. Being able to lie down is one of the best ways to deal with seasickness.
• Consider taking ginger tablets before you travel by boat/ship. These can help manage feelings of sickness.

7. Reducing Coach Sickness

Here are my tried and tested ways to deal with coach sickness;

• Sit at the front of the coach if possible or sit towards the front of the coach, ideally ahead of the axle on the coach.
• If there is a toilet and door in the middle of the coach then the seat behind the toilet has a better view out of the window. This seat can have less legroom sometimes so beware. If the toilet is being used on the coach then this may not be a good option because over time the toilet can smell which can increase the chances of sickness.
• Sit in the middle of the back seat on the coach. This seat has a view right down the aisle of the coach and this can often help with coach sickness. However, if the coach is travelling along a twisty or bumpy route then sitting at the rear of the coach can be extremely bumpy so is likely to make you feel worse. Also, beware that sometimes the engine is at the back of the coach and this can make it warmer or noisier.
• Sit in an aisle seat as it is easier to see out towards the front of the coach rather than looking out of the side windows.
• Keep cool by using the air vents which should be located overhead. If the temperature is too hot then tell the guide/driver so they can adjust this. If air is not circulating around the coach very well it can help if everyone has their air vents open and they can point them at the window if they don’t want air blowing on them directly.
• Have a handheld fan so that you can keep yourself cooler.
• Avoid sitting in the sun on the coach.
• Have layers so you can adjust between the temperatures inside and outside of the coach.
• Sucking on ginger sweets can help keep early feelings of nausea at bay.
• Consider taking ginger tablets, especially if travelling on twisty or bumpy roads, as these can help. If you are unsure about road conditions check with your driver or guide – they will be happy to help.
• Keep some headphones with you. Having headphones in can help reduce feelings of sickness.
• Avoid reading if it is likely to make you feel sick – this includes books and being online.
• Watching something on a tablet like a TV show or a film can often help with travel sickness by helping you to avoid the moving horizon or the view out of the side window.
• Avoid alcohol and eating too much as this can make feelings of travel sickness much worse.

8. Things That Have Helped Me

Ginger sweets.

These ginger sweets are the best I have found. They are travel sweets so they won’t all stick together and they are not too strong. If ginger sweets are too strong they can make you feel quite sick which is the opposite of what we are trying to achieve.

Ideal for helping minimise low-level travel sickness symptoms. A pleasant ginger taste that isn’t overpowering.

Rechargeable Travel Fan

This fan might look tiny but it certainly puts out a pleasant breeze and it can operate for quite a long time on one charge. It’s very small and compact. It can easily be tucked into the seat back in front of you or easily held in your hand. It charges using a USB cable.

Super quiet, tiny, powerful and rechargeable. This travel fan will help keep you cool and you can easily take it anywhere.

This is on my list for my next trip to somewhere that is likely to be a bit warmer and sunnier. It’s a rechargeable fan that blows air into your face and also around your neck. It’s £23.99 but if it is as good as it looks then it is well worth it! It’s got great reviews and it also seems to help well with hot flushes too.

Ginger Tablets

These ginger tablets are strong, but not so strong that you leave you getting ginger flavoured indigestion all day long. They are Vegan society approved and £5.99 for 90 tablets. They are also available for Prime Delivery.

These ginger tablets are great at preventing travel sickness. They don’t have any side effects either.

Travel Sickness Patches

I haven’t tried these yet but have just ordered some. They have good reviews and look to give relief from travel sickness without any side effects.

There are very reasonably priced wireless earbuds. They help me with travel sickness.

Silicone Ear Plugs

These silicone ear plugs fit over the ear rather than in the ear. They are much better for all night use and there is no risk of damage to the ear canal. I take them every time I stay in a hotel!

Travel Sickness FAQs

How do you stop travel sickness?

Medication can stop travel sickness. Some medications can cause drowsiness. There are various other options including ginger tablets, sweets, fans, wristbands, patches and headphones.

How long does travel sickness last?

You can experience travel sickness symptoms for up to 4 hours after you have stopped moving.

Travel Sickness Tablets

Many people I have travelled with over the years have tried travel sickness tablets. However, the vast majority have advised that they often feel as bad or sometimes worse when taking these tablets.

They have given my guests a low level of nausea which has affected their enjoyment of their day and this nausea has often continued after we stopped travelling.

Travel Sickness Bands

Often people will wear travel bands. These wristbands use acupressure and are worn around the wrists. Some people swear by these and some people report no effect at all.

At £3 for 2 pairs, they are probably worth a try if you haven’t done so already.

These travel bands come with full instructions to help you position them correctly on your wrist. They are also available for Prime Delivery.

Travel Sickness – NHS Help and Information

If you want to know more about travel sickness (motion sickness) then check out the NHS website. This gives more information on symptoms and treatment, plus medicines available for severe sickness.

Further Reading

If you have found my Travel Sickness article helpful you might like my tips if you suffer from a fear of flying as well.

You might also like some tips for other things to help you travel more comfortably – check out my Travel Essentials page.

If you have trouble sleeping when travelling then check out my Sleep App for Travelling (and just great for travellers when not travelling too!)

Other Articles

Thu 25 Apr 2024

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The science behind travel sickness, and how to avoid it

Gp offers advice on the best way to stay illness-free on long journeys.

For many families the summer holidays bring the opportunity to venture out on exciting road trips to far flung places.

But for some, long drives to holiday destinations or to visit family bring the unpleasant prospect of car sickness.

Ranging from a generally unwell feeling to nausea and vomiting, travel sickness can make holidays a misery for many but there are steps you can take to avoid it or at least reduce the symptoms.

What causes travel sickness?

According to GP and author, Dr Sarah Brewer, travel and motion sickness can be triggered by any form of transport and is caused when motion-detecting cells in the inner ears are excessively stimulated and send messages to the brain which don’t match the degree of movement detected by the eyes.

“Your eyes tell your brain that the environment is stationary but your balance organs say that it isn’t – this triggers travel sickness”, says Dr Brewer.

Read more: The 10 best traditional car games for the whole family

“Most people have experienced it at some point in their lives, however some people, particularly children, are especially sensitive as their nerve pathways involved are not fully developed. Before the age of ten, children are especially susceptible.”

According to research by Euro Car Parts, reading, watching a screen, travelling backwards and sitting in the back seat of a car are among the most common causes of feeling car sick. And small cars were the worst form of transport for instigating a bout of illness, to blame for 44 per cent of cases.

10 most common causes of travel sickness Reading (39%) Travelling backwards (38%) Sitting in the back seat (31%) Travelling while tired (17%) After drinking alcohol (16%) Watching a screen (15%) Dehydration (15%) Travelling while hungry (14.7%) Standing while travelling eg on public transport (11%) After eating (6%)

How to stop travel sickness

To help those who suffer from car sickness, Dr Brewer has come up with some tips to help avoid its onset or mimimise its effects

Watch what and when you eat and drink

When travelling, it can be tempting to buy quick and easy fast food from service stations en route. However, greasy, fatty and spicy food can cause nausea and trigger or worsen travel sickness. Likewise, alcohol can act as a diuretic and dehydrate you – further exacerbating your motion sickness.

You should however avoid travelling on an empty stomach – have a light meal instead 45 to 60 minutes before travelling, and top yourself up with light snacks which are bland and low in fat and acid.

Position is everything

If possible, offer to drive – drivers are less likely to suffer from travel sickness as they are concentrating on the outside. If driving isn’t an option, try to sit in the front seats and open the windows to get fresh air circulating.

Keep your attention focused on the distant horizon to reduce your sensory input. To help children, use car seats to ensure children can sit high enough to see out of the window.

To reduce nausea-inducing movement in other vehicles, try and sit between the wheels on buses or coaches where movement is less, or in the area above the wings on an aeroplane.

If all else fails, try medication

For travel sickness, prevention is easier than treating symptoms once they start. Try taking the antihistamine cinnarizine, which works on the vomiting centre in the brain, two hours before a journey, and it will reduce your susceptibility to motion sickness for at least eight hours.

If you are already feeling sick, however, you can suck a tablet rather than swallowing it for a more rapid effect. Just make sure you don’t take sedating travel sickness medication or drive if you feel drowsy.

If you prefer a more natural option, Dr Brewer recommends trying ginger tablets or wearing acupressure bands on your wrists.

Chris Barella, digital services director at Euro Car Parts said: “Unfortunately, motion sickness is something that most of us have dealt with at some point in our life and will probably have to continue to deal with.

“No one wants to experience that nauseous feeling while travelling. Hopefully the advice offered by Dr Brewer will help sufferers, particularly if you have no choice but to travel.”

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Motion sickness

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• Motion sickness is also known as travel sickness, car sickness or sea sickness.
• If you have motion sickness, you are likely to have nausea and may vomit and feel clammy.
• You can help prevent motion sickness by looking outside of the vehicle or focusing on the horizon.
• Symptoms usually end once the motion stops.
• You can try travel sickness treatments to help prevent motion sickness.

What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness is feeling unwell when moving on any type of transport. It is also known as ‘travel sickness’, 'car sickness' or 'sea sickness'. It is a normal response to certain types of movement.

There are a few ways to prevent and manage motion sickness.

What are the symptoms of motion sickness?

Nausea is the main symptom of motion sickness. But you might also experience other symptoms, including:

• vomiting or retching
• cold sweating
• lack of appetite
• dry mouth or excess saliva
• increased sensitivity to smell

If you are prone to motion sickness, you may quickly feel sick if you read a book or look at your phone when in a moving vehicle.

You might feel better after vomiting, and symptoms will generally improve once you stop moving. But you can also feel the after-effects of motion sickness for a few hours or a few days before fully recovering.

What causes motion sickness?

Motion sickness is thought to be caused by your senses being confused when what you see is different to the signals felt by your inner ear balance system .

If you are feeling anxious about travel, this can make motion sickness worse.

You can get motion sick when:

• travelling by car, bus, boat, train or aeroplane
• on amusement park rides
• playing virtual reality video games or simulations

Motion sickness is a common problem. It is most frequent in children aged between 2 and 12 years. If other family members get motion sickness, it is more likely that you will too.

If you already have a condition that causes nausea, such as morning sickness or migraines , you may be more likely to experience motion sickness.

How is motion sickness diagnosed?

You don’t need to see a doctor or get any tests for a diagnosis of motion sickness. There is a pattern of feeling unwell during travel or movement, so you will probably know if you have it.

If you often feel dizzy or nauseous at other times too, discuss this with your doctor.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How is motion sickness treated and prevented?

Practical tips.

Here are some tips for preventing motion sickness:

• Look out of the window, and focus on the horizon instead of looking at a book or a screen.
• Try to sit or lie still and rest your head on a pillow or headrest.
• Sit close to the front of a car, bus or train.
• If flying, sit still and close your eyes during take-off and landing.
• Listen to music and breathe mindfully .
• Open the window or air vent for fresh air.
• Eat lightly before and during the trip and avoid alcohol. Sip water instead.

Pressure bands worn on your wrists may help prevent motion sickness in some people.

If you are travelling by sea, after a few days of exposure to the motion you will likely adapt and get used to it.

You can try taking travel sickness medicines to prevent motion sickness. These may include:

• antihistamines
• antiemetics (medications to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting)

There might be side effects, such as drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice on what to take. Getting advice is especially important:

• for children
• if you are taking other medicines
• if you are pregnant

If you are using a travel sickness medicine, you should take it about half an hour before travel. If you have motion sickness and you already feel nauseous, it is probably too late to take a medicine. Eating a few plain crackers or having a clear, fizzy drink may help.

If you or your child regularly suffer from motion sickness, make sure you have a container, plastic bags and wipes handy. Take a break for some fresh air when needed.

Resources and support

Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to prevent and treat motion sickness.

Visit the Australian Government Smart Traveller website for more travel health advice.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

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Last reviewed: October 2023

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How electric and automated cars are aggravating motion sickness

Doctorant sur le thème de la réduction du mal des transports en voiture, Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard

Disclosure statement

William Emond does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté (UBFC) provides funding as a member of The Conversation FR.

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Around 25-30% of the population regularly suffers from motion sickness - a figure which some reckon to be conservative. Symptoms of this poorly understood illness include nausea, sweating, pallor, hypothermia, headaches and vomiting. Mildly affected patients might also experience drowsiness, apathy or decreased cognitive abilities. It is estimated 60 to 70% of travellers will suffer from it at some point.

Motion sickness is experienced most commonly in cars , giving rise to the term car sickness. Passengers are prone to feeling sick because they are deprived of the capacity to anticipate trajectories , in contrast to drivers.

One would have thought that, in more than a century of automobile development, the issue of carsickness should have been be solved. But that is anything but the case. As road vehicles continue to undergo technological metamorphosis, upheavals such as the electrification, digitalisation and automation of vehicles come with benefits - and issues.

In fact, some technological advances may create or worsen the feeling of imbalance and prevent vehicle occupants from anticipating the itinerary. As a result, they increase the risk of undergoing sickness symptoms more frequently. Below are those whose effects are already documented.

Vehicle electrification: fewer landmarks and more sudden movements

By nature, an electric motor is more linear and quiet than a combustion engine. This advantage has the downside of preventing certain car users from assimilating the movement of the vehicle. For example, whereas we would associate acceleration with the engine revving in classic cars, electric cars suddenly deprive us of this reference point. Also gone are the combustion engine’s vibrations, which some perceive as soothing .

The use of regenerative braking, which captures the kinetic energy from braking and converts it into the electrical power that charges the vehicle’s high voltage battery, can also upset passengers’ balance. The decelerations induced by this system are usually low frequency , which is typical of a sickness-inducing motion force.

Digital interiors that encourage distraction

Another technological advance inducing motion sickness is the growing presence of ever larger and numerous screens inside vehicles. These screens overburden users with visual information, which discourages them from looking outside. They thereby lose their ability to take in the ‘correct’ visual signals – i.e. the external view of the vehicle – which allow them to correctly perceive their position in space. That, in turn, induces sickness.

The rise of screens in cars is likely to increase in the coming years, including vehicles that could even feature screens on glass surfaces or offer on-board virtual reality experiences. This invasive environment can, in turn, impact upon passengers’ wellbeing. Indeed, the mere knowledge one is likely to suffer nausea from screens can stress vulnerable passengers, with research linking up to 40% of motion sickness symptoms to passenger psychology .

Autonomous driving and lack of anticipation

The race among car manufacturers to create the first fully-automated vehicle is also likely to worsen the problem. While today’s vehicles are only partially automated, in future, they will be able to pilot themselves. As mentioned above, this is problematic when we know the act of driving is the best way to anticipate trajectories and curb symptoms.

Moreover, the disappearance of the driving cockpit will make it possible to redesign vehicle interiors to become more welcoming, like a rolling living room. These new configurations will give passengers more freedom, allowing them for example to turn their seat rearwards-facing to chat with other occupants. However, in the collective unconscious, sitting with one’s back against the road is associated with the likeliness of becoming sick . Although research has shown that it makes no difference with forward-facing orientations , this is another idea that may constitute a psychological bias toward symptoms.

Another promise of the autonomous vehicle is to allow its passengers to devote “idle” travel time to productive tasks or entertainment. The increasing appeal of taxi and Uber travel, where users tend to gaze at their digital devices, goes hand in hand with this trend. Here again, such distractions deter passengers from engaging with the landscape .

Finally, let us not forget the incidence of motion sickness ultimately remains moderate in non-automated cars because of drivers’ ability to adapt their driving style when their passengers report discomfort. This human dimension is set to disappear in autonomous vehicles, whose driving style will be less flexible and less natural than that of a human driver.

Human beings as the main obstacle to technological advances?

In the absence of effective means to mitigate motion sickness in cars, aggravated symptoms may ultimately lead consumers to reject such highly-evolved vehicles . Considering the ethical, psychological and legal dimensions related to their development, it may be that human beings would become the main obstacle to the adoption of these new types of vehicles.

For these reasons, automotive manufacturers and suppliers have shown growing interest in this phenomenon in recent years. Their purpose is to better understand it to alleviate it effectively - not out of public interest but because it could compromise the successful launch of their future products.

To date, the exact causes of motion sickness are still unclear, prompting industrial research to focus on how to limit its occurrence. Countermeasures are currently being researched. The latter include the use of visual , auditory and tactile signals to help users better perceive and anticipate the vehicle’s movements, but also the programming of a comfortable driving style that imitates that of a human being and limits sudden acceleration.

This article was originally published in French

• Electric cars
• Motion sickness
• automated vehicles
• The Conversation Europe

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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County Road 26 to open Monday for local, critical trips

Limited travel for commuters using the lake city cutoff opens after state and county collaboration as bridge closure continues.

Montrose and Gunnison Counties — This weekend, CDOT and Gunnison County are working together to accelerate improvements to County Road 26 (Lake City Cutoff) so it can open Monday for local commuter travel between Montrose and Gunnison.  At the same time, engineers continue to conduct safety inspections of the US Highway 50 bridge crossing the Blue Mesa Reservoir at Dillon Pinnacles. This bridge, located west of Gunnison at Mile Point 136.3, closed Thursday in the interest of public safety after an inspection revealed a crack in one of the girders. The technical structure name for the bridge is K-07-B. 

Recognizing the US 50 closure creates a significant detour for commuters traveling between Montrose and Gunnison, CDOT and Gunnison County officials this weekend prioritized getting a shorter access route in place for local travel between the two communities. That collaboration will continue as officials work to further fortify the road with gravel and manage traffic to a level that the road can safely carry.

“We are starting slow in order to increase the chances we can go faster later. The impact on western Colorado cannot be understated and we are exhausting all opportunities and partnerships to mitigate the impacts of the bridge closure,” said Martin Schmidt, Assistant Gunnison County Manager for Public Works.

On Monday, April 22, pilot cars will lead  passenger vehicles through the access route two times a day in each direction. Because CR 26 is a high-mountain, unpaved road that is not intended to accommodate the traffic volumes of US 50, travel times will be limited and commercial vehicles exceeding a 16,001 gross vehicle weight rating are prohibited. The schedule for piloted travel is:

• 6 to 6:30 a.m. and 6 to 6:30 p.m. for westbound travel 
• 7 to 7:30 a.m. and 7 to 7:30 p.m. for eastbound travel 

The queue for westbound pilot car operations will start near the intersection of CO 149 and CR 26 and the queue for eastbound travel will start near the intersection of US 50 and CR 26. The travel time on the access route is expected to be 30 minutes or more.

County Road 26 will only be open for local, essential travel during these timeframes. The road will remain closed at all other times for the ongoing restoration work needed to ensure the road remains safe for travel.

A hotline and email continue to be in place to assist customers with questions about the closure. Anyone with questions can reach out via 970-648-4423 or [email protected] . Calls will be closely monitored and will receive a prompt reply. Information is also available on the project website at bit.ly/us50bridge . Travelers should refer to COtrip.org or the smartphone COtrip Planner app to plan an alternate route.

“CDOT appreciates Gunnison county’s dedication and hard work as we cooperate to offer more options to help the western slope manage this safety closure.  CDOT will continue to support the county as we focus on the opening of County Road 26 to serve the critical needs of residents,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “County Road 26 is an important local route that is up to five hours more efficient than detouring via state highways. However, this road currently has a natural roadbed and can only accommodate limited traffic - so it is important that we help Gunnison County focus this capacity on the needs of local communities most impacted by the closure.”

There are two recommended detours for through travel via Interstate 70 to the north or US 160 to the south and these detours add six to eight hours of travel time. CDOT is coordinating with emergency service providers to ensure emergency response is unaffected.

Travel Impacts  

• US 50 is closed between Montrose and Gunnison
• Recommended alternate routes are I-70 to the north or US 160 to the south
• A limited, local detour is in place for travel at specific times

Project Contact Information 

For additional information about this project, contact the project team.  

• Webpage: bit.ly/us50bridge
• Information hotline: 970-648-4423 
• Email: [email protected]  
• Fact Sheet: County 26 Local Access
• Hoja informativa del proyecto:  Ruta de acceso local en la County Road 26

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!

Car hire at Moscow Vnukovo Airport

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Cheap car hire at Moscow Vnukovo airport

Top tips for hiring a car at moscow vnukovo airport.

• Whether you’re visiting Moscow for a week or a month, getting a car rental at Moscow Vnukovo Airport (VKO) is the best way to explore the Russian capital. You’ll traverse various parts of the city that aren’t fully accessible by public transport. Self-driving lets you choose the shortest route to your destination and avoid traffic. Renting a car will save you money compared to using a taxi when you look at the overall costs to multiple destinations.
• Collecting your rental car at Moscow Vnukovo Airport isn’t that complicated. You’ll find several local and international car rental suppliers at the airport with an on-site counter. Car rental desks at VKO are on the ground level in the Arrivals section, Terminal A. Once you get to the airport, head straight to your preferred company’s rental desk. You can also visit the rental desks after booking online. Make sure you carry all the requested documents. After processing, a staff member from the rental company will guide you to the pick-up point outside the terminal. Take your time to inspect the car for any dents or damages. Check the fuel level and make sure your maps are working and in your preferred language since most road signs in Moscow are in Russian.
• The other benefit of getting a car rental at Moscow Vnukovo Airport is that you’ll have a smooth return process. Most rental companies will ask you to return the rental car to the exact location you collected it, or the drop-off point stated in your rental contract. What you should pay attention to is the return period. Make sure you return the car on time to avoid the late return penalty fee. You can inform the company early if you’re facing challenges and can’t return the rental car on time. After dropping off the vehicle, conduct a final inspection to check for damages before heading to your rental counter for clearance.
• Moscow Vnukovo Airport usually gets busy between March to July when most tourists visit for the summer holidays. During this period, car rental bookings are generally high. You can experience long waits at the car rental counter. The airport also gets busy during weekends, special events, holidays, and major conferences in Moscow. We advise you to book in advance for availability and to save money since rates are comparatively pricey during the peak travel season.
• Book your car hire at Moscow Vnukovo airport at least 4 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price

FAQs about hiring a car at Moscow Vnukovo airport

What documents do i need to rent a car at moscow vnukovo airport.

To rent a car at Moscow Vnukovo Airport, you will need a valid driver’s license from your home country that has been valid for at least one year. You should provide an International Driving Permit for translation purposes. Most companies will also require your passport for additional proof of identity. A valid credit card with enough cash for deposit and payment must also be presented. Some companies will ask you to bring a printout of the booking confirmation voucher sent to your mail.

What amenities are available at Moscow Vnukovo Airport?

You’ll have access to several amenities when you opt for a car rental at Moscow Vnukovo Airport, including showers in various lounges, ATMs, luggage carts, and free Wi-Fi. If you’re traveling with children, you can take advantage of the children’s playroom in Terminal A. There is a parenting room equipped with changing tables, baby cribs, and play areas for parents traveling with newborns. VKO is perfectly equipped for passengers with reduced mobility.

How can I pay for my Moscow Vnukovo Airport car rental?

The best way to pay for your Moscow Vnukovo Airport car rental is using a major credit card. It is a secure option for renters and the best security for rental companies during your rental period. Few car rental suppliers may let you pay using a debit card but with several limitations and requirements. They will restrict you to certain types of rental cars, and you may be asked to produce additional proof of identity or your return travel details.

Which car hire companies will pick you up at Moscow Vnukovo airport?

Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Moscow Vnukovo airport to off-airport locations include Avis, Rentmotors, Sixt, and TIS Car.

Moscow Vnukovo Airport car rental reviews and directory

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One location in Moscow Vnukovo Airport

Locations in Moscow Vnukovo Airport

Vnukovo Int Apt

Vnukovo Air Term A Meet N Greet

+7 495 640 82 82

Opening times not available

keddy by Europcar

3 locations in Moscow Vnukovo Airport

Poselok Vnukovo 2 Reysovaya Street

Vnukovo Airport Intl Arrival Zone- 2, 2Nd Reisovaya Str.

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2 locations in Moscow Vnukovo Airport

Mosco - Vnukovo Airport

+7 916 724 04 55

Terminal A, Counter 34

+7 962 967 8633

IDrive Rent-A-Car

+7 499 685 4725

Vnukovo airport

+7 495 921 3838

12, 1-Ya Reysovaya Ulitsa

Terminal. A,2 Ul.2-ja

+7 495 260 10 38

+7 495 788 6888

ul. 2-ja Rejssowaja, 2

+7 495 589 11 11

2 2nd Reisovaya str.

+7 926 279 2989

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