Top 5 most unhygienic things a traveller can do

Reviewed by: Helen Rolph
Home, Travel & Pet Insurance Expert

Written by: Katie Gawley
Insurance Content Writer

Fact-checked by: Quotezone Editorial Team

This content follows our Editorial Guidelines

Last Updated: June 2026
Read time: 4 min

The most unhygienic travel habits have been revealed as experts encourage travellers to be extra cautious when heading abroad this summer.

A recent survey from Quotezone.co.uk identified some of the most high-risk areas for germs, including airport touchscreens, hotel carpets, and plane seat pockets.

Many of these areas seem harmless, however shared travel spaces can be full of dangerous germs and bacteria.*

As Brits begin their summer trips, holiday resorts, flights and accommodation head into their busiest time of the year, with tourists travelling from all over the world – making good hygiene crucial.  

One of most highly contaminated items in a hotel room is the TV remote,** potentially dirtier than a toilet seat.*** A recent Quotezone survey found that many holidaymakers are unaware of this risk – with one in five Brits (17%) saying they never wipe it down before using.

Other common high-risk travel habits include handling passports at airports without sanitising hands (15%), placing suitcases on hotel beds after travelling (13%), and walking barefoot on hotel room carpets (11%).

Aeroplanes have several commonly known areas that may be crawling with germs such as tray tables, arm rests and of course the bathrooms. However, not many people think about the seat pocket. While 8% say they store personal belongings in plane seat pockets, research shows they can be crawling with germs, with tests showing MRSA can live on seat pocket cloth for up to seven days.****

A further 10% said they use airport touchscreens or fingerprint scanners without sanitising their hands afterwards – an important issue to be aware of this year as fingerprint scanners come into effect for British tourists across the Schengen area.

UK health officials continue to monitor travel-associated infections among returning holidaymakers, with the UK Health Security Agency reporting cases linked to international travel throughout last year.*****

Experts recommend taking simple preventative measures while travelling like washing or sanitising hands regularly, wiping down shared surfaces, and avoiding placing outdoor items like suitcases or shoes on beds.******

Top 5 Most Unhygienic Things A Traveller Can Do 

• Forget to wipe down the TV remote in the hotel
• Rest the suitcase on the bed
• Store items in the plane seat pocket 
• Walk barefoot in certain high-risk areas (hotel rooms / aeroplanes)
• Forget to wash or sanitise hands after handling passports, airport touchscreens or fingerprint scanners

Helen Rolph, travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “Busy airports, planes and hotels can be hotspots for germs and bacteria, potentially causing illness, and ruining a long-awaited trip.

“To help stay healthy while travelling, additional hygiene measures can make a big difference. Regularly washing or sanitising hands and wiping down shared surfaces that may have been touched by hundreds or even thousands of people are great first steps.

“It’s also important to avoid placing items like suitcases and shoes, which can carry large amounts of dirt and bacteria, onto beds. Likewise, avoid walking barefoot in places where others may have worn outdoor shoes, such as planes or hotel rooms. This can quickly transfer germs onto the skin and personal items.

“As well as taking these simple hygiene precautions, travellers should also make sure they have appropriate travel insurance in place before going abroad to ensure they are covered if illness affects their trip.

“Comprehensive travel insurance normally covers medical expenses if holidaymakers need to see a doctor or are admitted to hospital. However, if they are ill and confined to their room, it is unlikely they will be covered for not enjoying their holiday, making it so important that travellers do all they can to help protect their trip.”

As a price comparison site, Quotezone can help travellers find savings on travel insurance, for families, for couples and those with pre-existing medical conditions. 

Quotezone.co.uk’s findings are based on a randomised survey of 1,000 respondents across the UK during May 2026, which represents a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.

References:
*https://codapharmacy.co.uk/health-hub/the-best-ways-to-avoid-getting-ill-while-travelling/
**https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120617142534.htm
***https://sustainhealth.fit/lifestyle/tv-remote-dirtier-than-a-toilet-seat/
****https://time.com/4877041/dirtiest-places-on-airplanes/
*****https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/travel-associated-infections/travel-associated-infections-in-england-wales-and-northern-ireland-2025
****** https://www.bensonsforbeds.co.uk/sleep-hub/bed-habits-what-do-brits-put-on-their-beds/

Photo credit – iStock.com Chalabala

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.