Knowing what you can take in your hand luggage saves time at security and avoids having items confiscated. From the liquids rule to food, electronics and medication, the rules can be confusing and vary by airport. This guide explains what you can take in hand luggage, including liquids, food and more. Always check the current security rules at your departure airport, as these can vary and change.
The liquids rule
The most well-known hand luggage rule concerns liquids. The long-standing rule limits liquids to small containers of a set maximum size, carried together in a clear resealable bag, with each passenger allowed one such bag. However, some airports have introduced newer scanners that may allow larger liquids, so the rules can vary by airport and change over time. Because of this, always check the current rules at your departure airport, and when in doubt, follow the standard small-container limits to be safe and avoid problems at security.
What counts as a liquid
It is worth knowing that liquids include more than just drinks. Toiletries such as creams, gels, pastes, sprays and similar items count as liquids for security purposes, so things like toothpaste, sun cream and moisturiser are included. This catches travellers out who think only of bottled drinks. Understanding that a wide range of toiletries are treated as liquids, and packing them accordingly within the rules or in your hold luggage, avoids having them removed at security and helps you pass through more smoothly.
Food in hand luggage
You can generally take solid food in your hand luggage, such as sandwiches, snacks and baby food, though liquid or gel-like foods may be subject to the liquids rule. Be aware that some destinations have restrictions on bringing in certain foods, so what you can take through and what you can bring into another country may differ. Checking both the security rules for solid and liquid foods and any restrictions at your destination helps you pack food sensibly without it being confiscated at either end.
Electronics and laptops
Electronic devices such as laptops, tablets and phones can be carried in hand luggage, and indeed valuable electronics are better kept with you than in the hold. At security, you may be asked to remove larger devices like laptops from your bag for screening, though newer scanners at some airports may not require this. Keeping your devices accessible for security, and following the instructions at your airport, helps you through quickly. Carrying valuable electronics in your cabin bag also protects them from loss or damage.
Medication
You can take medication in your hand luggage, which is where essential medicine should be kept so it is with you and accessible. Liquid medication and medical equipment may be allowed in larger quantities than the standard liquids limit, but you may need supporting documentation such as a prescription or letter. Checking the rules for carrying medication, and bringing any required documentation, ensures you can take essential medicines through security. Keeping medication in your hand luggage rather than the hold means you have it even if checked bags are delayed.
Sharp and prohibited items
Some items are prohibited in hand luggage for security reasons, particularly sharp objects such as knives and scissors above a certain size, and various other restricted items. These must go in hold luggage or not travel at all, and carrying them in the cabin will see them confiscated at security. Checking the list of prohibited items before you pack your hand luggage avoids losing belongings and holding up the queue. When unsure whether something is allowed in the cabin, it is safer to pack it in the hold.
Duty free and purchases after security
Items bought after security, including duty-free liquids, can usually be taken on board, often sealed in a special bag with the receipt, though rules can apply if you have a connecting flight. This is why you can buy larger liquids airside. If you are connecting, check whether duty-free liquids will be allowed through security again at your connection. Understanding how purchases made after security are treated, and any conditions for connecting flights, helps you avoid having duty-free items removed later in your journey.
Travelling with babies
If you are travelling with a baby, you are usually allowed to carry baby food, milk and other essentials in reasonable quantities, even if they exceed the standard liquids limit, though they may be screened separately. This recognises that babies need feeding during travel. Checking the specific rules for baby items at your departure airport, and being ready to have them screened, helps the process go smoothly. Knowing you can carry necessary baby essentials reassures parents that they can keep their little one fed and comfortable while travelling. It is still wise to carry only what you reasonably need for the journey, and to allow a little extra time at security in case these items are screened separately.
Check airport and airline rules
Because security rules can vary by airport and change over time, and airlines may have their own policies, always check the current rules at your departure airport before you pack. Our guide on hand luggage rules and allowances covers the size and weight side. Confirming the up-to-date security and baggage rules for your specific journey, rather than relying on what was the case last time, ensures you pack your hand luggage correctly and pass through security without losing anything.
When in doubt, put it in the hold
If you are unsure whether an item is allowed in hand luggage, the safest approach is usually to pack it in your hold luggage instead, where the rules are less restrictive, or to leave it behind if it is prohibited altogether. This avoids the disappointment of having something confiscated at security. Our guide on hold luggage weight limits and fees covers what goes in the hold. When you cannot confirm that an item is permitted in the cabin, defaulting to the hold or leaving it out spares you losing it at the security checkpoint.
Get through security smoothly
A little preparation speeds you through security. Have your liquids ready in their clear bag, remove electronics if required, empty your pockets, and avoid wearing items that will need removing where possible. Packing your bag so liquids and devices are easy to reach helps. Following the instructions and being organised at security keeps the queue moving for everyone and gets you through faster. Knowing what is allowed and preparing your bag accordingly before you reach the checkpoint makes the security process quicker and far less stressful.
In short
In hand luggage you can take liquids in small containers within a clear bag, though rules vary by airport, plus solid food, electronics, and medication, keeping valuables and essential medicine with you. Toiletries count as liquids, sharp and prohibited items must go in the hold or stay behind, and baby essentials and post-security duty free are generally allowed. Always check the current rules at your departure airport, as security policies can vary and change. When you are unsure whether something is allowed in the cabin, put it in the hold or leave it behind, and prepare your bag in advance to get through security quickly.
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