Website of the UK government

Before you arrive at the airport

Planning your packing

Try to pack only valuables and things you will need during the journey in your hand baggage. This will save you time at airport security. Before you set off:

• pack any liquids in your main hold baggage where possible - carry only those you will need during the flight in your hand baggage
• put any liquids for your hand baggage in small containers (holding 100ml or less) in a resealable bag
• if you are carrying any gifts in your hand baggage do not wrap them
• do not put lighters in your hand baggage (you are allowed to carry one lighter but must keep it on your person during the flight)
• contact your airport or airline if you have any queries about your flight or the baggage rules that apply

Getting to the airport

As a general rule you should aim to arrive at the airport:

• three hours before long-haul flights
• two hours before European flights
• 90 minutes before flights within the UK and Ireland

You will also need to decide on the best way to get to the airport. Airport parking can be expensive, so you may prefer to use public transport rather than driving.

• Use Journey Planner to plan your route to the airport
• More about the current hand baggage rules

What happens at security?

There are heightened security measures in place at all UK airports, so it's best to allow plenty of time for security checks. All your hand baggage will need to be screened and you will be asked to pass through the security archway. Be ready to:

• hand over your resealable bag of liquids - it will be screened separately from your main hand baggage
• hand over your laptop or any other large electrical item to be screened separately
• take off your coat or jacket and your shoes
• place any metal items such as keys, watches or jewellery in the plastic tray to be screened

• More about the current hand baggage rules

The departure lounge and airside shopping

While you are in the departure lounge, the screens will show when your flight is ready to start boarding. Remember to allow enough time to get from the lounge to your boarding gate.

You can take on board anything you buy from the shops in the departure lounge (sometimes called 'airside'), including liquids such as food or drink for your journey. When shopping in the departure lounge:

• if your goods are given to you in a special sealed bag, do not open it until you get to your final destination
• keep your receipt as you may be asked to show it later - if you transfer flights, for example
• remember that there are some restrictions on duty-free goods bought on return journeys when you change flights at an EU airport - these are explained in the next section

Returning to or via the UK

Travelling from an airport in the EU, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland

The arrangements outlined above and on the page on Air travel hand baggage rules apply.

The EU member states are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Travelling from an airport in any other country

Local arrangements will apply.

Special information for transit passengers

If your journey involves changing flights at any EU airport, special restrictions apply.

You may only take liquids (including duty free) through security at your connecting airport if:

• they meet all the requirements set out above and explained in full on the page Air travel hand baggage rules, or
• they have been bought airside at at an EU airport or on board an aircraft operated by an EU carrier - you will need to show a receipt to prove this

If you have bought liquid items of more than 100ml from other airports or on board other airlines these will need to go in your hold baggage on the connecting flight.

• More about the current hand baggage rules