✈️ Air Travel Q&A
Can I bring liquids, electronics and food through airport security?
Liquids must be in 100ml containers inside one clear bag, laptops usually come out for screening, power banks must stay in the cabin, and solid food is generally fine.
Answered by the RealTripGuides editors. We check what we can against official sources and say when something varies by country or operator.
Liquids
- Each container must hold 100ml (3.4oz) or less — the size printed on the bottle is what counts, not how full it is.
- All containers must fit inside a single clear, resealable bag of around one litre.
- One bag per passenger. Baby food and essential medication are usually exempt but must be declared.
Electronics
- Laptops and tablets normally come out of your bag and go through separately, though newer scanners at some airports no longer require it.
- Power banks and spare lithium batteries must travel in the cabin, never in checked luggage.
- Phones and cameras have no size limit, but keep them charged — staff can ask you to switch a device on.
Food
- Solid snacks — sandwiches, fruit, nuts, chocolate — pass security without trouble.
- Anything spreadable or pourable (yoghurt, hummus, soup, peanut butter) counts as a liquid.
- Customs is a separate matter from security. Fresh produce, meat and dairy are restricted or banned on arrival in many countries, so eat it before you land or declare it.
Screening rules are set nationally and are being upgraded airport by airport. If something matters to your trip, check the departure airport's security page the week you fly.
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