Can you bring a curling iron on a plane?

You might be wondering, can you bring a curling iron on a plane? If using a curling iron is part of your daily beauty routine, you don’t have to sacrifice your hairstyle to travel carry on only. Read on for answers to whether you can take curling irons in carry on luggage, plus info on curling irons in checked bags.

Since there are a few details relating to butane curling irons, be sure to read the full article to avoid getting your curling iron confiscated. And if you’re taking your curling iron overseas, I’ve got info about how to deal with different voltage for your hair appliances.

Note: This post is written referencing TSA rules for travel from airports in the USA. Some countries may have different rules, so if you’re flying from an airport in another country, please look up the rules for the authority in that country.

Please note that some posts contain links that earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Can you bring a curling iron on a plane in carry on baggage?

Maybe you like curling your normally straight locks, or maybe you’re traveling for a fancy event. So you might be asking yourself if you can take your curling iron in carry on luggage. And luckily the answer is yes. Curling irons can be packed in cabin bags.

Remember to pack a wash cloth or small hand towel to wrap your curling iron. Since you might have to pack your bag in the morning right after using your curling iron, a wash cloth or small hand towel wrapped around your curling iron will protect your things. That way you’re not putting it directly into your luggage while it’s still hot, which could burn your clothes or other items in your bag.

It’s always best to pack it once it’s cooled down, but if that’s not an option, including a wash cloth on your travel packing list is the next best thing.

Does your curling iron have a butane cartridge? Read on for more info because taking a cordless curling iron in carry on has different rules.

Can you bring a curling iron on a plane in checked luggage?

If you’re not a carry on only person and you have checked luggage, it might be better to pack your curling iron in your checked bag.

Luckily you are allowed to pack your curling iron in checked luggage as well, in most cases. As with your carry on luggage, you should wait for the curling iron to cool down before packing it, or wrap it in a towel if you don’t have time.

The one exception to bringing a curling iron on a plane in checked bags is if it’s a butane curling iron.

Butane hair straighteners and curling irons are not allowed in checked luggage, but they are allowed in carry on luggage as long as there is a safety cover to prevent accidental activation.

Can you bring hair curlers or hot rollers in your carry on?

Some of you have asked about whether you can bring hair curlers or hot rollers on a plane.

You’re in luck! The answer is yes, hot rollers and hair curlers are permitted on a plane. You can pack your hair curlers or hot rollers in your cabin baggage or your checked baggage.

But please wait until they have cooled down before packing them. You don’t want to accidentally burn your clothes or other belongings.

Can you take a butane curling iron on airplanes?

Some curling irons have a butane cartridge. The appeal here is that they are cordless, but the butane cartridge makes it a little more complicated when bringing your curling iron on a plane.

According to TSA, butane curling irons are not allowed in checked luggage, but they are allowed in carry on luggage as long as there is a safety cover to prevent accidental activation since they are a fire hazard.

Here’s the exact quote from the TSA site:

I’ve read that it’s acceptable to separate the cartridge from the curling iron, but TSA doesn’t mention this on their site. Be aware that the final decision is always with the TSA agent.

Will your curling iron work when traveling internationally?

Voltage and plug style are two different things you need to be aware of when traveling to other countries. Before you pack your bags, I have a warning about traveling with your favorite hair styling appliance.

There might be electrical issues with using your curling iron abroad. Different parts of the world use different voltages, which means your curling iron might not be compatible.

For example, the US electrical system uses 110 voltage, while the European system is 220. Having a dual voltage curling iron means you could switch the voltage between 110 or 220 depending on where you are in the world. Although many people say they still don’t work as well.

Another option, if you travel to the same region a lot, is to buy one there to use when traveling. So if you are from North America and you’re traveling to Europe, buy a curling iron once you arrive and keep it for future trips.

Do you need a travel plug adapter? Or a voltage converter?

If you don’t have a dual voltage curling iron, you would need a converter. A converter would switch the voltage in order to avoid frying your appliance, blowing a fuse in the building, or even risking a fire.

When you’re traveling abroad with any electrical device, you might need a plug adapter to make sure your plug fits into the wall socket.

For example, the US and Canada use the same plug style as Central American countries, but the plugs in Europe are different. Even within Europe, the UK (and a few other countries) uses a different plug style from most of the rest of the continent.

A plug adapter will not convert electricity, but these days, most things that don’t heat up convert on their own, so your laptop and phone charger should be fine with just an adapter.

Any appliance that heats up, like a curling iron or other hair appliances, might not function as well even if it’s dual voltage or when using a converter. Some even have warnings that you should use the lower setting when traveling abroad.

Hopefully this article answers all your questions about bring curling irons on a plane in carry on luggage!

Read more about packing:

• Best Packing Cubes for Travel
• Can you bring makeup on a plane?
• What toiletries can you take on a plane?
• How to Pack for 2 Weeks in a Carry On