More Than Just Food Delivery
When you are traveling, you do not just need restaurant meals delivered. You need toothpaste because you forgot yours. Pain relievers for a sudden headache. A phone charger because yours broke. Snacks for the hotel room. Sunscreen for tomorrow's beach day.
The good news: many of the same delivery apps that bring you restaurant food also deliver convenience store and pharmacy items, often within 30 minutes. In some countries, specialized convenience delivery apps are even faster. This guide covers what you can get delivered, which apps to use, and the important medicine restrictions you need to know about.
Convenience Store Delivery by Country
Japan: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson
Japan's convenience stores (konbini) are legendary — they sell everything from onigiri and bento boxes to underwear and concert tickets. Delivery is available through Uber Eats, which partners with 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. You can order ready-to-eat meals (onigiri, sandwiches, salads, bento), snacks, drinks, toiletries, and basic supplies. Demae-can also offers convenience store delivery but requires Japanese-language navigation.
Thailand: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, CJ Express
Thailand has over 13,000 7-Eleven stores, and many are available for delivery through Grab, LINE MAN, and Foodpanda. You can order everything from Thai snacks and instant noodles to toiletries and basic medicine. 7-Eleven delivery in Bangkok typically arrives within 20-30 minutes. FamilyMart and CJ Express are also available on these platforms in larger cities.
Taiwan: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life
Taiwan has one of the highest convenience store densities in the world. Both Uber Eats and Foodpanda deliver from 7-Eleven and FamilyMart in Taiwan. The selection includes bento meals, tea eggs, drinks, snacks, and daily necessities. See our country guides for more details on Taiwanese delivery apps.
South Korea: CU, GS25, Emart24
South Korea's convenience store delivery is primarily through Coupang Eats and Baemin (Baedal Minjok). CU and GS25 stores offer extensive delivery menus including Korean snacks, ramyeon, drinks, and daily essentials. The apps are in Korean, but image-based browsing makes ordering possible even without language skills.
United States: 7-Eleven, Walgreens, CVS
In the US, convenience delivery is well-established. The 7NOW app delivers directly from 7-Eleven stores. DoorDash partners with 7-Eleven, Walgreens, and CVS. Uber Eats includes many convenience stores. Gopuff operates its own warehouses for ultra-fast convenience delivery in over 600 US cities and parts of the UK.
Europe: Glovo, Wolt, Getir
In Europe, convenience delivery varies by country. Glovo is the strongest option, delivering from convenience stores and supermarkets across Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Eastern Europe. Wolt includes convenience store options in Nordic countries and Central Europe. Getir operates its own dark stores for ultra-fast delivery of convenience items in the UK, Germany, Netherlands, and Turkey.
Check the "Shops" or "Mart" Section
Most food delivery apps hide their convenience store options in a separate tab. Look for sections labeled "Shops," "Mart," "Convenience," or "Stores" in your delivery app. On Grab, it is "GrabMart." On Uber Eats, look for "Convenience" or "Grocery." On Glovo, check the "Shops" category.
What You Can Get Delivered
Convenience store delivery covers a surprisingly wide range of items. Here is what is typically available:
Food and Drinks
- Ready-to-eat meals (sandwiches, onigiri, bento, salads)
- Instant noodles and cup noodles
- Snacks (chips, chocolate, nuts, dried fruit)
- Soft drinks, juice, water, energy drinks
- Coffee and tea (canned, bottled, or instant)
- Ice cream and frozen treats
- Alcohol (beer, wine, spirits — where legal and permitted)
Toiletries and Personal Care
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash (travel sizes)
- Deodorant, razor, shaving cream
- Sunscreen, lip balm, moisturizer
- Face masks, hand sanitizer
- Feminine hygiene products
- Contact lens solution
Electronics and Supplies
- Phone chargers and cables (Lightning, USB-C)
- Batteries
- Earbuds and headphones (basic)
- Power banks (in some stores)
- Adapters and converters (limited availability)
Travel Essentials
- Insect repellent
- Umbrella
- Tissues and wet wipes
- Laundry detergent (small packs)
- Plastic bags and zip-lock bags
Pharmacy Delivery Abroad
Getting pharmacy items delivered is one of the most useful services for travelers, especially when you are sick in a foreign country and do not want to leave your hotel room. However, pharmacy delivery rules vary significantly by country.
Apps That Deliver Pharmacy Items
- Glovo — Delivers from pharmacies across Spain, Italy, Portugal, Croatia, Romania, and other markets. One of the best options for pharmacy delivery in Europe.
- Rappi — Delivers from pharmacies across Latin America, including Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. Has a dedicated pharmacy section.
- Grab — GrabMart delivers from pharmacies in some Southeast Asian markets, including Malaysia and Singapore.
- DoorDash / Uber Eats — Partners with Walgreens, CVS, and other pharmacies in the US for OTC medicine delivery.
- Wolt — Includes pharmacy delivery in select European cities.
Always Bring Your Own Prescription Medications
Never rely on being able to get prescription medicine delivered or even purchased abroad. Some medications that are legal in your home country may be restricted or banned in other countries. Bring a full supply of any prescription medication for your entire trip, plus extra in case of delays. Carry prescriptions in their original packaging with the pharmacy label.
Medicine Restrictions by Country
What you can buy over the counter — and what you can get delivered — varies dramatically from country to country. Here are key differences travelers should know:
Japan
Japan classifies medicines into strict categories. Common pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) and cold medicines are available OTC but some formulations familiar to Western travelers may not exist. Pseudoephedrine-based decongestants (like Sudafed) are banned in Japan. Stimulant medications (Adderall, some ADHD medications) are strictly prohibited — do not bring them into the country. Pharmacy delivery through Uber Eats is limited to snacks and basic health items from drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi, not actual prescription medications.
Southeast Asia
Many medications that require a prescription in Western countries are available over the counter in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Antibiotics, certain painkillers, and some medications typically prescription-only in the US or Europe can be bought directly from pharmacies. However, quality control varies. Stick to well-known pharmacy chains and branded medications.
Europe
European countries generally follow stricter rules than Southeast Asia but differ from country to country. In France, even basic items like ibuprofen must be purchased at a pharmacy (pharmacie), not a convenience store. In Spain, pharmacies (farmacias) sell a wider range of OTC products. In the UK, supermarkets can sell limited quantities of basic pain relievers. Pharmacy delivery through Glovo in Spain and Italy is a genuinely useful option for travelers feeling unwell.
United States
The US has one of the most accessible OTC medicine markets. Convenience stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies all sell basic medications. Delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart from Walgreens and CVS includes a wide range of OTC products: pain relievers, cold medicine, allergy medication, digestive remedies, and more.
Middle East
Several common medications are controlled substances in Middle Eastern countries, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Codeine (found in some cough medicines), certain sleeping pills, and some anti-anxiety medications may be illegal without a local prescription. Always check the specific country's restricted medicine list before traveling. When in doubt, do not attempt to order or purchase these items.
Pack a Travel Medicine Kit
Before traveling, pack your own basic medicine kit: pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen), anti-diarrheal (loperamide), antihistamines, rehydration salts, band-aids, and any personal medications. This way, you are covered for common issues without relying on finding or ordering medicine abroad.
Late-Night Convenience Delivery
One of the biggest advantages of convenience store delivery is availability outside normal hours. When restaurants close, convenience stores often keep delivering. This overlaps with our late-night delivery guide, but here are the convenience-specific highlights:
24-Hour Convenience Delivery
- Japan: Uber Eats delivers from konbini until late (typically midnight-1 AM in major cities), though the stores themselves are open 24/7.
- Thailand: 7-Eleven delivery through Grab and LINE MAN is available late into the night, often until 2-3 AM in Bangkok.
- United States: Gopuff delivers late (often until 3-4 AM). 7NOW and DoorDash also have late-night convenience delivery in many cities.
- South Korea: Convenience store delivery through Coupang Eats and Baemin is often available until midnight or later in Seoul.
- Europe: Getir and Glovo offer late-night convenience delivery in select cities, typically until midnight-1 AM.
Convenience Stores for Jet Lag Snacking
Arriving late at night with jet lag and a growling stomach? Convenience store delivery is often your best option when restaurants have closed. Order water, snacks, instant noodles, and something for breakfast the next morning — all in one order. In Japan, konbini onigiri and sandwiches are genuinely excellent food, not just emergency rations.
Tips for Ordering Convenience and Pharmacy Items
- Use photos, not names: Convenience store items in other countries have different names. Browse by photo rather than searching by product name.
- Check substitution policies: Some apps let the shopper substitute items if yours is out of stock. Set your preference (allow substitution or refund) before ordering.
- Bundle with food orders: Some apps (Grab, Glovo) let you order from a convenience store and a restaurant in the same delivery, saving on fees.
- Read reviews for pharmacies: If ordering medicine, choose a pharmacy with good reviews. In some countries, counterfeit medicines are a concern at smaller, unverified pharmacies. See our scam guide for more.
- Screenshot product labels: If you find a medicine or product that works for you abroad, screenshot the label. This makes it easy to reorder or find the same product at a physical store.
- Check delivery minimums: Convenience store orders are often small. Many apps have minimum order amounts for free delivery, typically $5-10 USD equivalent. Add a drink or snack to meet the minimum rather than paying a small-order surcharge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. 7-Eleven delivery is available in several countries through third-party apps. In Thailand, order through Grab or LINE MAN. In Japan, use Uber Eats or Demae-can. In Taiwan, Uber Eats and Foodpanda deliver from 7-Eleven. In the US, the 7NOW app delivers directly, and DoorDash also partners with 7-Eleven. Hours and availability vary by location.
Over-the-counter medicine can be delivered via apps in many countries. Glovo delivers from pharmacies in Spain and Italy. Rappi delivers from pharmacies across Latin America. In the US, DoorDash and Uber Eats deliver from CVS and Walgreens. However, what counts as OTC varies by country, and prescription medicine delivery almost always requires a local prescription. Always bring your own supply of essential medications from home.
You can typically order snacks, drinks, instant noodles, toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, soap), basic OTC medicine, phone chargers, batteries, sunscreen, insect repellent, face masks, and ready-to-eat meals. Alcohol and tobacco availability depends on local laws and platform policies. Electronics like chargers and earbuds are available at larger convenience stores.
The main apps are: Grab/GrabMart (Southeast Asia), Glovo (Europe, Latin America, Africa), Rappi (Latin America), Uber Eats (global), DoorDash (US, Canada, Australia, Japan), Gopuff (US, UK), Getir (Europe, Turkey), and Wolt (Europe). Most food delivery apps now have a "convenience" or "shops" section that includes convenience stores and sometimes pharmacies. See our pre-arrival app guide for region-specific recommendations.