Here are 10 items to include in your hand luggage liquids bag, keeping in line with strict airport security rules. Wherever you’re flying to from the UK, the rules are one clear bag no larger than 20cm by 20cm and up to 10 items 100mls or smaller.
In this post I’ll share the items I take with me in the hand luggage liquids bag. What you take may vary based on the length of your trip, or on whether you’re headed to a hot or cold destination.
I’ll also show you how I manage to fit them all in. I love the clear bags you get for free at London’s Gatwick airport, as they have a built-in handle. It comes in handy when you’re trying get everything ready in the security line.
Page contents
My usual items
1. Lip balm
I never go anywhere without lip balm, as I’m addicted to it! This usually lives in my pocket but goes into the liquids bag for security. My preference is to use a lip balm with sunscreen in it, especially when travelling to a destination where the sun shines. Alternatively, you could take a tinted lip balm to add a bit of colour, all whilst keeping your lips nice and soft.
2. Hand sanitizer
Now more than ever, it’s vital to keep your hands as clean as possible when you travel. With lots of people crammed into airports, and the enclosed space without fresh air, good hand hygiene is important. Carrying a small bottle of hand sanitizer means you can keep your hands germ free. Depending on where you are going on holiday, this will also be a much-needed item at your destination. I’ve found a great slimline one by Mad Beauty that fits easily into a hand luggage liquids bag.
- Related AWTT Content: The Power of 3 – how to pack light for every trip
3. Hand cream or moisturiser
With all the hand washing, your skin can become tight and uncomfortable. Similarly, the air in the airport and plane itself, has a drying effect. I like to use Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream in a 75ml tube. This cream is non-greasy and absorbed well, plus you can use it on your face if needed.
4. Toothpaste (and a toothbrush)
I always take toothpaste and a toothbrush in my carry-on luggage, especially if it’s a long-haul trip. You never know when you’ll need to freshen up, whether it’s after a meal, or at the end of a plane journey. Having these items close to hand can really help to make you feel more comfortable. I also have a miniature pot of dental floss I bring with me. The floss and toothbrush go into my travel pouch, which also fits into my hand luggage.
5. Deodorant or body spray
No one has ever enjoyed sitting next to someone that has a bit of a funky scent – you don’t want to be that person! By carrying a travel sized deodorant or body spray in your liquids bag, it means you can spritz this on, as and when needed, and be confident that you smell good.
- Related AWTT Content: 5 things you’ll need for every trip
6. Nasal decongestant spray or inhaler
This one might not be for everyone, but I suffer from the air conditioning in airports and on planes. I hate having a blocked nose and struggling to breathe. Having either a menthol inhaler or nasal decongestant spray in my liquids bag, means I’ll be able to breathe easy. It makes the trip more comfortable, especially if I’m headed to the other side of the world! You can also get tablet decongestants, however I find they take longer to work.
7 & 8. Shampoo and conditioner
For weekend trips, I’ll make sure to bring some shampoo and conditioner bottles in my hand luggage. Whilst the place you’re staying in may provide toiletries, I find having my own to be beneficial; I recently dyed my hair blonde, so I’ll bring specific hair products for this. If my trip is longer, I’ll review whether I can fit these in the liquids bag, or whether I pick some up at the airport.
- Related AWTT Content: Travel medical kit – 7 items to bring with you
9. Shower gel
I have a lot of hotel size samples that are around 30mls, and I’ll bring one with me. I also take a small body puff as this helps foam up the shower gel and makes it go further. The body puff also fits easily into my travel pouch.
10. Wet wipes or baby wipes
I’m one of those people who always seems to miss their mouth when I’m eating, more so if I’m in front of people. Or I somehow get something sticky on my hands. Just in case the toilets aren’t nearby, it’s a good option to have some wet wipes or baby wipes available. I also use them to freshen up once I’ve landed. You can get small packets that have between 7-15 wipes, which are a great hand luggage option. Whilst they aren’t a liquid item, if I can I’ll try to fit them down the side of my hand luggage liquids bag. This way I know everything is in one place, and they’re easy to find. If they won’t fit, they get added to the travel pouch.
Other options for hot destinations…
Sunscreen
If you are heading to a hot country, and will arrive during the day, you could include a travel size sunscreen in your liquids bag. By doing this, you’ll ensure your skin is protected from the moment you arrive.
I like the Soltan range from Boots. There are a variety of factors to choose ranging from 15 up to 50+, as well as ones for kids. They also have clear spray (rather than white cream), sunscreen with anti-mosquito protection and a lotion that you only need to apply once for up to 8hrs sun protection. All sunscreen products in the Soltan range have high UVA and UVB star ratings.
Sunshine protector hair spray
I’ve been dying my hair for over 10 years now. As a result, whenever I go to a hot and sunny destination, I try and protect the colour. There is a travel size Charles Worthington product that you spray on and leave in. It’s also great for helping give your hair the ‘tousled beach waves’ look.
Febreze clothing spray
I have a travel sized spray bottle that comes with me, mainly on long haul trips. This is useful for using to freshen up clothes to help them last longer between washes. I try and fit this in my hand luggage liquids bag, as if my main checked in suitcase goes missing, I can keep the clothes I have on as fresh as possible (although I always carry a spare outfit in my hand luggage). I prefer to buy one of the bigger Febreze bottles and decant what I need into the travel spray bottle.
Depending on where you are heading, you can mix and match what you need to pack in your hand luggage liquids bag.
My hand luggage liquids bag contents
The packed items on the left are my usual “travelling anywhere” items, and the ones on the right are the “hot, tropical destinations” selection.
I don’t wear a lot of make-up, particularly on holiday, so you may need to adjust the list to include any cosmetic items you like to travel with. For weekends away, if I take anything it’ll be an eyeliner (which will fit in the liquids bag), plus an eye shadow and shimmer powder in my travel pouch.
- Related AWTT Content: How to spend a few days in delightful Dubrovnik
What if you don’t have room for everything?
Option A) Squeeze it in!
You could try and squeeze as much in as possible. I’ve not actually seen any security staff counting items in the hand luggage liquids bag. If everything fits with the bag closed, and it’s placed outside of your case as it goes through the x-ray machine, you should be OK if you have more than 10 items!
Option B) Duty Free Shopping
An alternative option is that you can buy items after you have gone through security. Once you’re past this stage, anything you buy can be taken with you onto the plane. In the UK, there is usually a Boots or WH Smiths after security; they sell travel size products, often on a 3 for the price of 2 offer. Or if you want to splurge a bit, treat yourself to something in Duty Free.
If you choose to do this, you might want to leave the empty liquids bottles behind after your trip. This way there’s room to fit the new items in on the way back.
Shopping after security is a good option if you are restricted on your hand luggage weight. For this you could take a few items with you, and add to them, or you could buy everything you need once you’re in the departure lounge.
Option C) Liquid alternatives
If you do struggle to get everything into the liquids bag, you could look at non-liquid options. These could then go into a separate travel pouch in your hand luggage bag. For instance:
- Swap liquid shampoo and conditioner for solid versions – there are more and more shops selling these items
- Consider taking a bar of soap instead of liquid shower gel
- Instead of taking a body spray or deodorant opt for the stick variety
In conclusion
I hope this post has given you some ideas on items that are useful for carrying in your hand luggage liquids bag, for both long and short holidays.
I’ll end by sharing a quick picture reference guide for liquids vs non-liquids.
Do you have different products that you take with you? Have I missed something vital? Feel free to comment…
- Related AWTT Content: 13 spectacular waterfalls in Iceland that will amaze you
Penelope says
Hi, I think this is a great site! Really helpful to have that image at the end with the details of what is and isn’t a liquid! Keep up the good work…