Carry-on Luggage FAQ. All Popular Questions in One Place.
Judging by the comments in the post about carry-on luggage, there are still many questions we haven’t answered. Well, we’re fixing that and presenting you with a small FAQ with frequently asked questions about carry-on luggage. Can I take cosmetics in my carry-on? Can I take hair styling products in my carry-on? Can I take a hairdryer, straightener, or curling iron in my carry-on? Can I take eau de toilette or perfume in my carry-on? Can I take a knife in my carry-on? Can I take pills and other medications in my carry-on? Can I take a thermometer in my carry-on? Can I take an electric shaver in my carry-on? Can I take tools in my carry-on? Can I take a camera in my carry-on? Can I take a baby stroller into the airplane cabin? Can I knit or embroider on the plane? Can I carry dishes in my carry-on? Can I take an umbrella in my carry-on? Can I take a lighter on board the plane? Can I take a manicure set in my carry-on? Can I take tape (adhesive tape) in my carry-on? Can I carry household appliances in my carry-on? Can I carry a painting in my carry-on? If your question is not here, we will gladly answer it in the comments. 1. Can I take cosmetics in my carry-on? Yes, you can. There are no restrictions on the volume or quantity of eyeshadow, blush, powder, including loose powder. But keep in mind that creamy eyeshadows, mascara, foundation, face and hand cream, and nail polish are all liquids! And there are restrictions on carrying liquids:
- The volume of containers holding liquids must not exceed 100 ml. That is, even if the liquid itself is only 50 ml, the container it is in must hold no more than 100 ml. To prevent disputes with security services, it is recommended to use liquid containers (tubes, jars, etc.) that indicate their volume.
- All containers must be stored in a single resealable transparent plastic bag. The total capacity must not exceed 1 liter (i.e., you can take 10 bottles, each no more than 100 ml).
- Each passenger is allowed to carry only one such bag.
- The bag with liquid containers must be presented separately at the security checkpoint.
More details on carrying cosmetics in carry-on luggage >> 2. Can I take hair styling products in my carry-on? Almost all hair styling products — gels, mousse, wax, etc. — are liquids (see requirements above). The volume of these products must not exceed 100 ml. In addition, many airlines prohibit aerosols on board, which hairspray is, so it’s better to check it in, regardless of volume. 3. Can I take a hairdryer, straightener, or curling iron in my carry-on? Yes, you can take a hairdryer and other hair styling tools in your carry-on. 4. Can I take perfume or eau de toilette in my carry-on? Yes, but since it’s a liquid, only in a container up to 100 ml. Otherwise, you’ll have to part with your favorite perfume. Also note that eau de toilette is usually in aerosol form (a pressurized liquid can), and these are prohibited by some airlines. 5. Can I take a knife in my carry-on? You definitely cannot take a knife in your carry-on; it must be in checked baggage that you hand over during check-in. The only exception is a plastic knife. It’s difficult to detect a ceramic knife during screening, but if it’s noticed (which usually happens during a manual inspection), it will definitely be confiscated. You will also lose gadgets like the CardSharp knife card, etc. 6. Can I take pills and other medications in my carry-on? Yes, you can. But if the medications are in liquid form, such as cream, ampoules, or nasal drops, etc., remember that the volume of the container they are in must not exceed 100 ml. There is only one exception here: if you need medication during the flight, you can take more than 100 ml on board without problems if you provide a doctor’s note. Aerosol medications, such as Panthenol spray, etc., must be checked in. There is another restriction on medications: if you need to take medication regularly and therefore carry a lot of it, or if the pills contain narcotic substances, get a doctor’s note. This will help avoid problems with both security and customs. More details on how to carry medications on a plane>> 7. Can I take a thermometer in my carry-on? It depends on the airline. Some prohibit it, others allow one mercury thermometer per person. For travel, it’s better to buy an electronic thermometer; it is not on the list of prohibited items for any airline. 8. Can I take a razor in my carry-on? Most airlines allow taking a razor, including disposable ones, whose blades are inserted into replaceable cartridges. A straight razor is prohibited in carry-on luggage. You can also take an electric shaver in your carry-on. Note that shaving foam is a liquid and its volume must not exceed 100 ml. Moreover, many airlines do not allow aerosols (pressurized liquid cans), which includes shaving foam. 9. Can I take tools in my carry-on? The answer to this question depends on the specific tools. Most of them are prohibited in carry-on luggage. For example, drills and their components, all types of saws, screwdrivers, crowbars, hammers, pliers, wrenches and nut drivers, soldering equipment — all of these will have to be checked in. 10. Can I take a camera in my carry-on? Yes, you can take camera equipment, a camera, lenses, and even a small tripod. As a rule, a tripod up to 60 cm long when folded can be carried without problems; if it’s longer, it’s better to check it in. If the tripod doesn’t fit in your suitcase, carefully tape it to the suitcase and wrap the entire structure with film; this way, it will arrive safely. 11. Can I take a baby stroller into the airplane cabin? This depends on the airline; some allow you to take it with you, others ask you to check it in at registration (but these are a minority). As a rule, you can easily take a foldable umbrella stroller. It will be taken from you at the aircraft door and returned to you upon arrival. More details on carrying a stroller on a plane >> 12. Can I knit or embroider on the plane? You can with plastic and wooden knitting needles or a crochet hook. Metal knitting needles will have to be left in checked baggage. There are usually no problems with embroidery. 13. Can I carry dishes in my carry-on? Yes, you can easily take plates, cups, a dinner set, or glass goblets, but cutlery (knives and forks) will have to be left in checked baggage. 14. Can I take an umbrella in my carry-on? Not all umbrellas are created equal:) A regular folding umbrella, to hide from the rain, is certainly allowed. However, with a cane umbrella and a beach umbrella, problems may arise; as a rule, they are prohibited in carry-on luggage. 15. Can I take a lighter on board the plane? This depends on the airline and airport security. Some allow one lighter per person in the cabin, others do not. If your lighter is valuable to you, it’s better to check it in. 16. Can I take a manicure set in my carry-on? Most components of any manicure set are sharp and cutting objects and are prohibited in carry-on luggage. This includes scissors, nail clippers, tweezers, and even a metal nail file with a sharp tip. You can only take a glass, ceramic, or emery board nail file with a soft base on board. 17. Can I take tape (adhesive tape) in my carry-on? Airports are all different, and so are security services. Most of them prohibit carrying tape on board. 18. Can I carry household appliances in my carry-on? Yes, you can, if it does not exceed the permitted dimensions. For example, you can easily carry a multicooker on the plane. 19. Can I carry a painting in my carry-on? This depends on its dimensions and the airline. Even if it exceeds the maximum dimensions set by the airline, they may still allow it on board. What should you do in this situation? Firstly, if you are flying abroad, you must have a document authorizing the export of the painting, or confirming that it does not represent artistic value. Secondly, 72 hours before departure, contact the airline or the agency where you purchased the ticket and inform them that you plan to carry oversized hand luggage. That’s all — you just have to wait for the airline’s decision. If the painting is not allowed in carry-on luggage, you will have to check it in and pay extra for carrying fragile items.




