I Tested 3 Services for Finding English-Speaking Doctors Abroad So You Don’t Have To- Here’s The Shocking Truth!

Traveling is full of excitement and adventure, but nothing puts a damper on your trip like needing a doctor in a foreign country. I decided to put three popular services for finding English-speaking doctors to the test: MyAbroadMDs, Air Doctor, and On Vacation Doctor. Here’s what happened, and trust me—you’ll want to read this before your next trip!

1. MyAbroadMDs

The Experience: MyAbroadMDs focuses on personalized care, and right from the start, it feels like they’ve got your back. I used their Abroad Bronze package for my trip to Florence, where I ended up with a sore throat and needed a strep test. MyAbroadMDs sent a list with a home-visiting doctor who came directly to my Airbnb.

Cost: $49.99 for 2 weeks of travel.

Pros:

• Personalized Recommendations: Tailored doctor lists, curated specifically for your needs and itinerary.

• Proactive Care: Great for travelers with pre-existing conditions.

• Membership Packages: Offers various plans, from honeymoon packages to study-abroad memberships.

Cons:

• Not App-Based (Yet): Web-based only, but still very user-friendly.

• No Real-Time Medical Advice: You have to wait for the doctor consultation.

Verdict: MyAbroadMDs is your go-to service if you want to feel truly prepared before your trip even starts.

Learn more: MyAbroadMDs

2. Air Doctor

The Experience: I needed a dermatologist in Madrid, so I used Air Doctor’s app. The best part? I could search by specialty. The worst part? The doctors’ last names were just initials! I couldn’t Google them, which made me anxious about who I was actually seeing. But, I appreciated that the app clearly listed the cost upfront.

Cost: No upfront cost to download the app, pay-as-you-go for each doctor visit.

Pros:

• Instant Access via App: Convenient for quick doctor searches on the go.

• Upfront Pricing: Knowing what you’ll pay ahead of time is a major plus.

• Real-Time Booking: Easy to schedule without making international calls.

Cons:

• Doctor Anonymity: The lack of full names left me uneasy.

• Delayed Response Time: The promised instant response wasn’t quite as fast as I’d hoped.

Verdict: Air Doctor works well in a pinch, but their anonymity makes it hard to trust the doctors you’re booking.

Learn more: Air Doctor

3. On Vacation Doctor

The Experience: I was in Lake Como when I cut my hand and wasn’t sure if it was infected. I turned to On Vacation Doctor, which bombarded me with a huge list of doctors. The majority were in Milan, which wasn’t much help to me in Lake Como. Overwhelmed by too many choices, I ended up going to a local clinic instead.

Cost: Free to browse the directory; pay the doctors directly for services.

Pros:

• Extensive Directory: Great if you want a wide range of choices.

• User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate the platform.

Cons:

• Too Many Options: I didn’t have time to sift through all the doctors listed.

• Location Mismatch: Suggested doctors were often too far away.

Verdict: On Vacation Doctor is better for those who prefer exploring all possible options rather than those who need immediate assistance.

Learn more: On Vacation Doctor

Why This Travel Trend Is Here to Stay

The trend of traveling with a list of English-speaking doctors isn’t just a fad—it’s the peace of mind travelers need. More people are realizing how invaluable it is to have medical resources lined up before their trip, and services like MyAbroadMDs, Air Doctor, and On Vacation Doctor are leading the way.