TUI liquid rules: hand luggage and checked-baggage toiletries
Flying with TUI? Check the published 100ml liquid rules, what toiletries you can take in your cabin bag and how to pack larger sun cream, aerosols and medicines for your holiday.
At a Glance
Yes, subject to airport security and TUI restrictions.
100ml per container under TUI’s published cabin guidance.
One clear resealable bag, up to 1 litre or 20 × 20cm, where required.
Qualifying medicinal/toiletry aerosols subject to 0.5L per item and 2L combined limits.
Ordinary full-size toiletries generally allowed; regulated products still restricted.
Can you carry liquids on a TUI flight?
TUI’s published flight guidance specifies liquid containers of 100ml or less in hand luggage, packed in one clear resealable bag of up to 1 litre or 20 × 20cm.
The containers must fit comfortably and remain visible. At some airports, upgraded scanners permit different procedures; follow your departure airport’s current instructions, including on your return journey.
For a TUI package holiday, the choice between cabin and hold baggage is particularly useful: keep essentials for the flight in your hand luggage, while larger everyday toiletries can normally travel in checked baggage if your booking includes it.
The allowance for checked bags depends on your booking; our TUI baggage guide covers that separately.
TUI hand luggage liquids and toiletries
TUI lists creams, lotions, oils, perfume, sprays and other liquids within its security guidance.
For standard screening, use travel-size shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, after-sun and moisturiser in containers holding no more than 100ml each. Pack them in one clear resealable bag that closes fully.
A 200ml sun cream bottle is not acceptable through a 100ml-limit checkpoint even when nearly empty.
If you need enough SPF for a full holiday, put larger bottles in checked baggage when available or buy them after security or at your destination.
Aerosol deodorant and hairspray also count as liquids at screening and remain subject to dangerous-goods conditions.
Keep essential liquid medication and baby supplies accessible. Larger necessary quantities may qualify for security exemptions; bring prescription evidence for medicines in containers over 100ml when required.
If your holiday involves a connecting flight, check its airport rules as well.
TUI liquids in checked or hold luggage
Larger bottles of ordinary shampoo, shower gel, sun cream, conditioner and after-sun generally belong in checked baggage.
The 100ml airport cabin-screening limit does not apply in the same way to hold luggage, but package-holiday baggage inclusion varies by booking.
TUI’s published passenger dangerous-goods guidance permits qualifying non-radioactive medicinal and toiletry articles, including aerosols, with no more than 0.5L or 0.5kg in any single article and 2L or 2kg in total per person.
Protect aerosol valves with caps. These limits do not make all flammable sprays or chemicals acceptable: check the exact product and TUI’s prohibited-items guidance.
For cabin-bag sizes, fare-specific allowances, checked baggage and fees, see our complete TUI baggage guide.
Plan holiday sun cream separately — A full holiday’s supply is often easier to carry in checked baggage than in a small cabin liquids bag.
Check your booking — Package-holiday and flight-only baggage inclusions can differ; do not assume hold baggage is included.
Check every airport — Departure, transfer and return airports may have different liquid-screening arrangements.
Read the container label — A half-empty 200ml bottle is still a 200ml container at airports using the 100ml rule.
Pack a clear bag — Where required, use one resealable bag of up to 1 litre and make sure it closes.
Count hidden liquids — Toothpaste, mascara, lip gloss, sunscreen, roll-on deodorant and shaving gel count at security.
Use solids where practical — Solid deodorant, soap bars and powder cosmetics free up space in your liquids bag.
Protect aerosol caps — Prevent accidental discharge and check whether your particular spray is permitted.
Keep medication accessible — Carry essential medicines in hand luggage and documentation for larger prescribed liquid containers.
Plan for the return flight — Rules can change between airports even when you fly with the same airline.
Your departure airport's liquid rules matter
Airport security, not the airline alone, decides which liquids can pass through screening. At most UK airports, containers must hold 100ml or less, even when partly empty. Some upgraded airports allow larger containers, sometimes up to 2 litres, and may not require a separate liquids bag. Check your departure airport and any connecting or return airports shortly before flying.
Where a clear bag is required, use one transparent, resealable bag of up to 1 litre, approximately 20 × 20cm, with the contents fitting comfortably and the bag fully closed. Essential liquid medicines, baby milk and food, and special dietary liquids may qualify for exemptions; have supporting documents and be ready for additional screening.
Do not assume a more generous rule at your outbound airport will also apply at your destination or on the way home. If you need a reliable cross-airport packing plan, travel-size containers of 100ml or less are the conservative choice.
How common toiletries are treated at airport security
Many everyday toiletries are treated as liquids, gels, pastes or aerosols when you pass through airport security. This isn't determined by the airline you're flying with, and the exact restrictions can vary depending on the security rules and screening equipment used at your departure airport. Here's how some of the most commonly packed toiletries are generally treated:
Deodorant
Roll-on and aerosol deodorants are generally treated as liquids for airport-security purposes. Solid stick deodorants are normally treated differently and can be a useful option if you want to reduce the number of items in your liquids bag.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste counts as a paste and is treated as a liquid at airport security. Where the traditional 100ml restrictions apply, the size of the toothpaste container therefore needs to comply with the applicable liquids limit.
Shampoo and conditioner
Shampoo and liquid conditioner are treated as liquids. This also applies to similar hair products such as gels, serums and liquid styling products. Solid shampoo and conditioner bars are generally not treated as liquids.
Shaving foam and gel
Shaving gels and foams are subject to liquid-security requirements. Aerosol shaving foam may also be subject to dangerous-goods restrictions, so larger products need particular consideration if you're packing them for a flight.
Hairspray
Hairspray is an aerosol and is treated as a liquid for cabin-security purposes. Aerosol toiletries can also be subject to airline dangerous-goods limits, so check your airline's requirements as well as the security rules at your departure airport.
Sun cream
Sun creams, lotions, gels and sprays are treated as liquids for cabin-security purposes. This includes products such as after-sun lotion and moisturising sun protection. Solid sun-protection products are generally easier to accommodate when travelling with limited liquid allowance.
Make-up and cosmetics
Liquid foundation, mascara, creams, gels, lip gloss and similar products are generally treated as liquids. Solid and powder cosmetics are generally not subject to the same liquid restrictions, although they will still pass through normal security screening.
Perfume and aftershave
Perfume, aftershave and other liquid fragrances are treated as liquids at airport security. They may also fall within dangerous-goods limits applying to toiletry and medicinal articles, particularly when larger quantities are carried.
Remember: airport-security procedures are changing as new screening equipment is introduced. Some airports may allow larger liquid containers or have different requirements for removing liquids from your cabin bag. Always check the current rules for the airport you're departing from — and any airport you'll use on a connecting or return journey — before you travel.
What are the TUI liquid rules for hand luggage?
TUI publishes a 100ml maximum per container and one transparent resealable bag of up to 1 litre or approximately 20 × 20cm. Check your departure airport for any updated screening procedure.
How much liquid can I take on a TUI flight?
At airports using standard screening, you may take several containers of 100ml or less, provided they fit comfortably in your single permitted clear bag.
Can I take sun cream on a TUI flight?
Yes. Sunscreen lotion and sprays count as liquids in hand luggage. Use compliant travel sizes for standard security or pack larger ordinary bottles in checked baggage.
Can I take aerosols in TUI hold luggage?
Qualifying medicinal and toiletry aerosols are permitted within dangerous-goods quantity limits: generally up to 0.5L or 0.5kg per item and 2L or 2kg combined per passenger. Caps must prevent accidental discharge.
Can I put full-size toiletries in TUI checked luggage?
Ordinary non-hazardous toiletries can generally go in checked luggage. Aerosols, perfumes and other regulated products may have additional restrictions.
Does TUI allow liquid medication over 100ml?
Necessary liquid medicines may qualify for an airport-security exemption. Carry supporting prescription or medical evidence where required and keep them accessible for screening.
Does toothpaste or roll-on deodorant count as a liquid on TUI?
Yes. Toothpaste is a paste and roll-on deodorant is a liquid, so both normally belong in the clear liquids bag at standard screening checkpoints.
Can I take a 200ml bottle through security if it is half empty?
Not at airports applying the 100ml rule: the restriction is based on the container’s capacity. Check whether your departure airport has introduced a different limit.