Can you take medication in your hand luggage?

HAVING to take medicine should not stop you from travelling and exploring new countries.

But is it allowed to take medication in your hand luggage, and if yes how much?

It is recommended that you put any medication in your hand luggage, the main reason being that if the luggage in the hold gets lost, you would still be able to take the necessary medicine.

Before travelling, you should check the airline's regulations, but most of them will allow it.

Make sure to pack your medicines and any equipment such as needles, syringes and others in their original and correctly labelled packages.

You should also carry the prescription from your doctor, just in case you are questioned about the medication.

Do different airports have different rules?

In the UK, all airports allow the carrying of medication in your hand luggage but in other countries, rules may differ.

Always check the regulations on that country's government website or the airport's page.

What can I take in my hand luggage?

There are some items which are allowed to be carried in your hand luggage, even though they exceed some normal limitations on liquids.

If you are travelling with a baby, you can carry:

Breast milk in containers up to 2,000ml
Formula or cow's milk
Sterilised water for the baby
Soya milk for babies
Baby food
Cooling gel packs

You can place a pushchair in the hold or bring it on as hand luggage.

If you're carrying a musical instrument or a mobility aid, you should let your airline know beforehand and they would need to be screened separately.

Here are some other items you're allowed to carry with you on a plane:

Small scissors with blades no longer than 6cm
Round-ended or blunt scissors
Disposable razor blades
Nail clippers or nail file
Tweezers
Knitting needles
Sewing needles
Umbrella
Walking stick or cane or an aid
Safety matches
Pushchair
Wheelchair
Contact lens solutions with a limit of 100ml

You can also carry any electronic devices with you.

Your phone, laptop, tablet or MP3 player can be used on the plane, as long as it is in flight mode.

Hairdryers, straighteners, travel irons and electric shavers can also be carried in hand luggage.

E-cigarettes must be in hand luggage and cannot go in the hold.

These are prohibited from being used on the plane.

However, some airlines may have different rules and you should always check with them as well as the rules of the airport in the country you are travelling to.

When carrying such equipment, make sure that it is fully charged before boarding because airport staff have the right to ask you to turn it on.

You can also carry camera equipment with you, although there might be restrictions on special equipment which you should check with your airline about.

If you are carrying batteries for some of your devices, you should also contact your airline about them, as there might be some restrictions.

Some sports equipment can also be carried onto the plane, such as: