Travel Size Toiletries and Perfumes

Travel size toiletries you can take on board planes: a complete guide for hassle-free travel

Packing toiletries for the plane is the key to comfortable travel. Whether you’re planning a weekend trip or a lengthy holiday, mini travel toiletries will save you room in your luggage and ensure you comply with airport security regulations. In this guide, you’ll learn which travel size toiletries are suitable for air travel, and you’ll also find some practical tips for a smooth flight.

Which toiletries can I take on board an airplane?

Whether you can take toiletries on a plane depends on whether they are in your carry-on bag or checked luggage. Toiletries in your carry-on bag are subject to strict rules for liquids, while toiletries in your checked suitcase have fewer restrictions.

Which toiletries can be taken on board a plane and which cannot?

All the products that you take directly on board an airplane (whether in a purse, backpack or carry-on bag) must have a volume of no more than 100 ml. All the products combined must not exceed a volume of 1 litre per passenger (including children). This applies to products such as:

• Travel size toothpaste.
• Travel shampoo and travel shower gel.
• Travel deodorant (sticks are unrestricted, spray or roll-on max. 100 ml).
• Makeup for the plane (mascara, liquid foundation, cream products).
• Travel size perfume.
• All creams (sunscreen, after-sun lotion, skin care, cream for babies).
• Hand sanitiser.
• And all other liquid or cream products or sprays.

How should I pack toiletries for the plane in my checked luggage?

Unlike carry-on bags, which you take right on board the plane, the conditions for checked luggage are a lot less strict. There are no restrictions on toiletries – you can pack them in regular (or even family) sizes.

Toiletries on the plane: what is the 3-1-1 rule?

The 3-1-1 rule is an aid for the basic safety regulations for toiletries on board airplanes:

• 3 – max. 100 ml (or 3.4 oz) per container.
• 1 – all the containers in one see-through bag with max. 1 litre.
• 1 – one bag per passenger.

This rule applies to all liquids, gels, creams, pastes and aerosols in toiletries on a plane.

How to pack toiletries in your carry-on bag?

Step by step:

1. Product preparation

• Choose mini toiletries or fill smaller bottles with, for example, body lotion.
• Check that each product is no more than 100 ml and that, combined, they are a maximum of 1 litre per passenger.

2. Packing

• A toiletry bag for the plane keeps all of your products in one place. It must be transparent so that the airport staff can see at first glance what it contains. Classic ziplock bags or transparent bags with a zipper are handy.

Tip: Place the toiletries somewhere towards the top of the bag, because when x-raying the luggage, they will always take it out.

3. Inspection

• Make sure the travel toiletries set adheres to the 3-1-1 rule.
• Prepare the toiletry bag so that it can quickly be retrieved during the security inspection.

Tip: It’s quite handy to put it in your purse or backpack when traveling to the airport and to then place it in your suitcase after you’ve passed through the x-ray inspection. This will save you from having to open your suitcase in front of strangers.

Where should you put perfume on the plane?

Travel size perfume belongs in the transparent bag with the other liquids in the carry-on bag. If your perfume is larger than 100 ml, it has to go in your checked luggage. A travel atomiser for perfumes is the ideal solution – you can fill it with your favourite perfume in an amount suitable for traveling.

Types of travel products

Ready-to-go miniatures

You can get products prepared in miniature packages that are designed specifically for traveling. For example:

• Mini toiletries from well-known brands. For instance, a travel toothbrush with a folding design, a travel deodorant in a compact package, or a small travel size sun cream with high protection.
• A travel toiletry set for the plane with complete care.
• A travel set for toiletries for specific needs.

Refill systems

If you want to save money, then you should get refillable bottles and tubes that you can fill with your favourite products at home. You can then wash them and use them again. For instance, you can get:

• Toiletry bottles for the plane for your own products.
• Refillable travel atomiser for perfumes.
• Silicone tubes for creams and gels.

Practical travel tips

How to save space

• Choose a travel toiletry set for the plane with multifunctional products.
• A shower gel for the plane could be used as a shampoo, while a body cream could also serve as a hand cream, etc.
• Solid alternatives (shampoo bar, deodorant stick, solid shaving foam) save room in your bag for liquids.

Protection against leakage

• Pack each of the toiletries in the carry-on bag separately in plastic bags.
• Use products with quality caps.
• Tape the lids shut for extra security. Because the last thing you want is for a cream to leak and get smeared all over the inside of your suitcase.

Emergency solutions

• Buy toiletries for the plane at the airport after going through security.
• Stock up on local products at your destination.

Properly packed mini travel toiletries for the plane is the basis for traveling in comfort. Whether you choose ready-to-use travel minis or you prepare your own travel size toiletries, the key is to adhere to the security regulations and plan everything thoroughly. With a quality travel toiletry set and knowledge of the 3-1-1 rule, you’ll be prepared for any journey.

The requirements of specific airlines can differ slightly, but in most cases it’s enough to stick to these rules and check-in will be a breeze. Carefully prepared toiletries in your carry-on bag and suitcase will pay off in the form of the time you save at the airport and the space in your suitcase. Whether you’re traveling on business or for pleasure, the right choice of toiletries will ensure you look fresh the entire time. Bon voyage!