Can You Take Vapes on a Plane? UK Airport Rules and Travel Guide

Yes, you can take vapes on a plane from the UK. Your vape goes in your hand luggage or pocket, never in checked bags. Doesn't matter if it's a pod kit, a prefilled pod vape, or a disposable you've still got from before the UK ban. Same rule for all of them.

We've put together everything UK vapers need to know about flying with vapes in 2026. Hand luggage rules, e-liquid limits, how many vapes you're allowed, and which countries to watch out for.

Vapes on a Plane: The Basic Rules

Every airline flying from the UK follows the same core rules set by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and IATA. These aren't guidelines or suggestions. They're mandatory.

Your vape goes in hand luggage. No exceptions. Lithium batteries can overheat in the cargo hold, and there's nobody down there to deal with a fire. Up in the cabin, the flight crew can step in within seconds. That's why every airline enforces it.

What you need to remember:

1. Vape in hand luggage or your pocket - never in your checked suitcase, even if it's switched off
2. Switch your vape off completely before boarding - not standby, fully off
3. E-liquid bottles must be 100ml or under - packed in your clear 1-litre liquids bag
4. Don't vape on the plane - it's illegal and the smoke detectors in the toilets will catch you
5. Don't charge your vape during the flight - most airlines specifically ban this

If your hand luggage gets gate-checked because the overhead bins are full, you'll need to pull your vape out and carry it on your person. British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair all state this clearly in their policies.

How Many Vapes Can You Take on a Plane?

UK vapers ask this one a lot, and the answer depends on your airline's lithium battery policy.

Most airlines allow 15 to 20 small lithium battery items in your carry-on. That covers your phone, laptop, tablet, power bank, and vapes all together. So if you're already carrying a phone, a laptop, and a power bank, you've used three of those slots.

For practical purposes, a sensible amount looks like this:

If you're carrying spare batteries for a mod, they need individual protection. Put them in a proper battery case or tape the terminals. Loose batteries rolling around with keys and coins in your pocket is a genuine fire risk.

Airline-specific limits vary. British Airways allows up to two spare lithium batteries per passenger (each under 100Wh). Always check your airline's policy before you pack.

E-Liquid Rules for Flying

E-liquid counts as a liquid under airport security rules. So the same restrictions apply:

• Each bottle must be 100ml or smaller
• All bottles go inside your clear, resealable 1-litre plastic bag
• You share that bag with your other toiletries

For most vapers using nic salt e-liquids, the standard 10ml bottles are well within the limit. You can fit several in your liquids bag alongside your other bits.

Larger bottles go in your checked luggage. E-liquid itself isn't a battery risk, so bottles over 100ml can travel in your suitcase. Seal them in a plastic bag though - cabin pressure changes can cause leaks, and nobody wants their clothes smelling of blueberry ice.

Empty refillable tanks before flying. The pressure difference at altitude forces air to expand inside your tank, which pushes liquid out through the airflow holes. Either empty it completely or fill it right to the top before you go through security.

Vapes Through Airport Security

Taking vapes through airport security is easy enough if you're prepared. Put your vape in the tray with your phone and other electronics. Don't try to hide it - that just slows things down and makes security look twice.

Your vape itself doesn't need to go in the clear liquids bag. Only bottles of e-liquid and any pods or tanks with liquid in them follow the liquids rules. The vape gets treated like any other small electronic device.

Security staff at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester see hundreds of vapes every day. They're a completely routine item. As long as yours is packed correctly in your hand luggage, nobody's going to confiscate it. And yes, vapes show up on the X-ray, but that's normal. Operators know exactly what they look like.

Can You Buy Vapes at UK Airports?

Yes, some UK airports sell vapes. You'll find them in convenience shops and specialist retailers within the terminals. Since the June 2025 ban, these are all rechargeable or refillable kits - no single-use disposables.

Duty-free availability varies. Not all airport shops stock vaping products, and the range is usually limited compared to a dedicated online vape shop. If you're counting on buying at the airport, don't leave it to chance. Stock up before you travel.

The UK Disposable Vape Ban and Travel

Since 1 June 2025, it's been illegal for any UK business to sell single-use disposable vapes. Every retailer, online and in-store, across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

You can still travel with disposables you bought before the ban though. The law targets sale and supply, not personal use. Walking through an airport with a disposable in your pocket isn't an offence.

And if you're visiting a country where disposables are still sold, you can buy them there and bring them back for personal use. The ban covers selling within the UK - it doesn't criminalise personal imports. Just keep it reasonable. A couple for yourself is fine. A suitcase full will attract questions about commercial intent.

If you haven't already, switching to a refillable or prefilled pod kit takes the whole question off the table. You won't be hunting for disposables abroad, and refillable kits are accepted everywhere that vaping is legal.

Where Can You Vape at UK Airports?

You can't vape inside any UK airport terminal. Vaping falls under the same indoor rules as smoking. At the major airports, your options are:

• Heathrow - Designated smoking areas outside terminals only
• Gatwick - Outdoor smoking areas before security
• Manchester - External smoking zones at each terminal
• Stansted - Smoking areas outside the building only

Once you're past security, there's nowhere to vape until you land and leave the terminal at your destination. For long-haul flights especially, nicotine pouches are worth throwing in your bag.

Countries Where Vapes Are Banned or Restricted

Plenty of popular holiday destinations have strict vaping laws, and saying you didn't know won't get you out of trouble.

Countries With Complete Vape Bans

These countries ban the sale, import, or possession of vaping products. Getting caught can mean fines, confiscation, or worse:

Countries With Strict Regulations

Vape-Friendly Destinations

Most of Europe, the United States, Canada, and New Zealand allow vaping with some local restrictions. Many EU countries have now also banned disposable vapes (France, Belgium, and others), but refillable and rechargeable kits are fine.

Check before you fly. Laws change regularly, and enforcement varies from country to country. Two minutes on your destination's government travel advice page before you pack could save you a massive headache.

For a more detailed breakdown, check our guide on which countries have banned disposable vapes.

Transit and Stopover Rules

Something that catches people out every year: if your flight stops in a country where vaping is banned, their laws still apply in the transit area. A layover in Singapore or Dubai means your vapes could be confiscated even if you never leave the airport.

If you're transiting through a strict country, consider:

• Keeping your vape packed away and out of sight during the stopover
• Checking whether the transit airport enforces vape restrictions
• Using nicotine pouches as an alternative for the journey

UK Airline Vape Policies

While all UK airlines follow the same core rule (vapes in hand luggage only, no vaping on board), their specific policies vary slightly.

British Airways - Vapes must be in hand luggage and packaged to prevent accidental activation. E-liquid follows standard liquid rules.

easyJet - Vapes allowed in cabin bags only. Must be switched off. No use on board or in terminals.

Ryanair - Vapes in carry-on only. Standard e-liquid restrictions apply.

Jet2 - Vapes must travel in your hand luggage. All e-liquid must comply with the 100ml rule.

TUI - Vapes go in hand baggage only. They must be switched off and protected against accidental activation.

No UK airline allows vaping on board. It's aviation law, not just airline policy. You can be fined and banned from future flights.

Packing Your Vape for Travel: Quick Checklist

Before you head to the airport, run through this list:

1. Vape switched off and in your hand luggage or pocket
2. E-liquid in bottles of 100ml or under, inside your clear liquids bag
3. Spare batteries in a protective case (not loose in your bag)
4. Refillable tanks emptied or filled completely to prevent leaking
5. Checked your airline's specific vape policy online
6. Researched vaping laws for your destination and any transit countries
7. Packed nicotine pouches as a backup for the flight itself

Best Vapes for Travelling

When you're picking a vape for travel, keep it simple. The less fuss, the better.

Prefilled pod kits are the easiest option for holidays. No bottles of e-liquid to spill, no coils to change, and they're small enough to slip into any carry-on. Grab a few spare refill pods and you're sorted for the whole trip.

If you prefer refillable kits, a simple pod kit with a few 10ml bottles of nic salt takes up barely any space. Just empty the tank before your flight and refill when you land.