How Many Vapes Can You Take on a Plane?
UK and international rules on travelling with vapes, e-liquids and devices.
Shop Pod Kits Shop E-LiquidsQuick answer: You can take vapes on a plane but they must travel in your hand luggage only, never in the hold. E-liquid in hand luggage must follow the standard 100ml liquids rule. There is no fixed limit on the number of devices for personal use.
Travelling with a vape requires a bit of preparation. Airport security rules and airline policies can catch people out, particularly around where devices and liquids must be carried. Here is everything you need to know before you fly.
Can You Take Vapes on a Plane?
Yes. Vapes and e-cigarettes are permitted on commercial flights. However, the rules on where they must be stored are strict. All vaping devices, including disposable vapes, pod kits and refillable mods, must be carried in your hand luggage. They cannot go in the hold.
The reason is straightforward. Lithium batteries, which power virtually all vaping devices, pose a fire hazard if they malfunction. Fires in the cabin can be seen and managed by crew. Fires in the hold cannot. This is why the rule is firm across virtually all airlines and regulatory bodies worldwide.
Important: Placing a vape or e-cigarette in checked baggage is prohibited. Doing so could result in your bag being flagged at security, your device being confiscated, or your luggage being removed from the hold before the flight.
How Many Vapes Are You Allowed?
There is no universally fixed number. Airlines and regulators generally defer to rules about lithium batteries rather than specifying a device count. In practice, carrying a reasonable personal supply raises no issues. Travelling with large quantities could be treated as commercial stock, which is a different matter subject to import and customs rules.
| Item | Hand luggage | Hold luggage |
|---|---|---|
| Vaping devices (disposable, pod kit, mod) | Allowed | Not permitted |
| Spare batteries (lithium, under 100Wh) | Allowed (up to 20 spare) | Not permitted |
| E-liquid in containers up to 100ml | Allowed (within 1 litre liquids bag) | Allowed (larger volumes) |
| Shortfill bottles (50ml or 100ml+) | 100ml containers only | Allowed |
| Vaping in the cabin or airport terminal | Not permitted | Not permitted |
The E-Liquid Liquids Rule
Hand Luggage Liquids Limit at a Glance
All liquids in hand luggage must be in containers of 100ml or less, fitting into one clear 1 litre bag. Here is how common e-liquid formats compare to the limit.
E-liquid container sizes vs the 100ml hand luggage limit
Bar length shows volume relative to the 200ml scale. Red = not allowed in hand luggage.
E-liquid counts as a liquid under airport security rules. In your hand luggage it must comply with the standard restriction: containers of 100ml or less, all fitting inside a single clear resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of one litre. One bag per passenger.
- Standard 10ml e-liquid bottles are fine in hand luggage
- Nic salt bottles are typically 10ml and pass without issue
- 50ml or 100ml shortfill bottles exceed the 100ml rule if full, so pack in hold luggage
- Prefilled pods that contain e-liquid may also be subject to the liquids rule
- In hold luggage there is more flexibility on e-liquid volume, though airline policies vary
Can You Vape at the Airport or on the Plane?
- You cannot vape on the aircraft at any point during the flight
- Most UK airport terminals prohibit vaping inside the building
- Some airports have designated outdoor smoking and vaping areas before security
- Once airside, vaping areas are rare. Most airports ban it throughout airside terminals
- Attempting to vape on a plane is a serious offence and can result in prosecution