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Can you take a hair straightener on a plane? (2024)

If using a hair straightener is part of your daily beauty routine, you might be asking yourself, can you take a hair straightener on a plane? Well, never fear, you don’t have to sacrifice your hairstyle to travel carry on only. Read on for answers to whether you can take hair straighteners in hand luggage, plus info on flat irons in checked bags.

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

can you bring a hair straightener on a plane
Can you take a hair straightener on a plane?

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.

So can you take hair straighteners in hand luggage?

I get this question a lot: Can you bring a hair straightener on a plane? And I totally understand, you want to be able to style your hair while traveling just like you would at home. Luckily the answer is yes, you can bring a hair straightener in your carry on bag.

Since you might have to pack your bag in the morning right after using your hair straightener, I recommend bringing a wash cloth or small hand towel to wrap your hair straightener. 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.

Does your hair straightener have a butane cartridge? This gets a little more tricky to travel with, so keep reading for more details.

Search for dual voltage hair straighteners on Amazon.

Can you bring a hair straightener on a plane in checked luggage?

If you’re traveling with checked luggage, it might be more convenient to pack your hair straighteners in your checked bag.

baggage claim for checked luggage - can you take a hair straightener on a plane in checked baggage
You can pack a hair straightener in checked bags unless it’s a butane/cordless type

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

The one exception to packing a hair straightener in checked bags is if it’s a butane hair straightener.

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.

Read: How Much Liquid Can You Bring on an Airplane?

Can you take a butane hair straightener on airplanes?

Some hair straighteners 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 hair straightener on a plane.

TSA rules for butane/cordless hair straightener on a plane
TSA rules for a butane/cordless hair straightener on a plane

According to TSA, butane hair straighteners 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:

“Cordless hair straighteners that contain lithium metal or lithium ion batteries or are gas or butane fueled are only allowed in carry-on bags.

A safety cover must be securely fitted over the heating element. The device must be protected from accidental activation.
For more information to portable electronic devices, see the FAA regulations.

Gas refills (spare cartridges) are not permitted.”

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

Check it out:
Can you bring a hair dryer on a plane?
Can you bring a curling iron on a plane?

Will your hair straightener 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.

curling iron hair dryer and straightener on a plane
Your hair straightener might not work so well overseas

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

For example, the US electrical system uses 110 voltage, while the European system is 220. Having a dual voltage hair straightener 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 hair straightener once you arrive and keep it for future trips.

Read: Can you bring makeup on a plane?

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

If you don’t have a dual voltage hair straightener, 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.

Packing clothes in a suitcase. Can you bring hair straighteners in carry on luggage?
You might need a plug adapter and/or voltage converter for your hair straighteners

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 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 hair straightener, 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.

Search for plug adapters on Amazon.

Hopefully this article answers all your questions about bring hair straighteners on a plane in carry on bags!

Read more about packing:

Can you take hair straighteners in hand luggage? Learn more about bringing a hair straightener on a plane in carry on and checked bags.

Ali Garland author box detailsAli Garland is a travel packing expert who loves to explore the world. She has 20 years of experience traveling with only carry on bags. On Travel Made Simple, she shares her best tips for packing less, dealing with layovers, and more tips that will help you have the best vacation. Originally from the US, she now lives in Berlin with her husband and their Yorkie. Read more about Ali here.

Ali Garland author box details
Ali Garland is a travel packing expert who loves to explore the world. She has 20 years of experience traveling with only carry on bags. On Travel Made Simple, she shares her best tips for packing less, dealing with layovers, and more tips that will help you have the best vacation. Originally from the US, she now lives in Berlin with her husband and their Yorkie. Read more about Ali here.


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37 Comments

  1. Sherri Griffith
    October 7, 2020 @ 5:42 pm

    Can I take a disinfecting light wand in my carry-on bag.

    • Ali Garland
      October 8, 2020 @ 4:54 pm

      Hi Sherri! I’m not really sure about that one. I can’t find anything one way or the other on the TSA website, but given the number of safety concerns I’ve read about with using them, I’m not sure if it would be permitted. Your best option is to contact TSA through Twitter or Facebook and ask them directly. Also be sure to read my article about taking disinfectant wipes on a plane and how to disinfect your airplane seat.

    • Ginger
      April 23, 2021 @ 7:56 pm

      I sent a question to AskTSA through messenger, and I got a reply that I could take my disinfecting wand in my carry on bag, but that was about 5 months ago. Since things change, I would ask again.

      • Ali Garland
        April 26, 2021 @ 12:35 pm

        Exactly, things change frequently so it’s always good to verify. I try to keep these articles as up to date as possible, but disinfecting wands are a little outside my experience.

  2. Stacie
    March 25, 2020 @ 8:23 am

    Can i bring a minnie nintado game system and also makeup and electronic shaver ?

    • Ali Garland
      March 25, 2020 @ 11:47 am

      Hi Stacie! Yes, gaming systems are allowed in your carry on luggage. Security might ask you to take it out of your bag and put it in a bin to be screened separately, like your laptop or liquids bag, but they are allowed. Electric shavers are allowed in carry on luggage, please read about taking razors on a plane. Makeup is allowed, just be aware of which items are liquid and put them in your liquids bag. Read more about bringing makeup on a plane.

  3. C.
    January 4, 2020 @ 10:18 pm

    Just a brief heads-up for people who might travel to south Asia (specifically Nepal). I brought several adapters and my curling iron as well as my hand dryer. The hand dryer blew a fuse in my hotel so I stopped using it. The curling iron never worked, and when I came home, it was broken completely. There is electricity in Kathmandu but it isn’t anything like it is in a developed country; it goes out a lot, and even more so in remote areas. We stayed a few days in a jungle resort in western Nepal, and every day we saw people working on the electric wiring with their own tools making sparks fly all over. It surely is interesting, but you gotta go with the flow.

    • Ali Garland
      January 13, 2020 @ 10:51 am

      Thanks, definitely some places around the world where it’s best to not bring a hair dryer or other similar electronics.

  4. Brittany
    December 3, 2019 @ 1:04 am

    Flying for the first time for a wedding so I have to look my best will I be able to take my hair and face oils carry on?

    • Ali Garland
      December 3, 2019 @ 12:01 pm

      Hi Brittany! Oils are considered liquids, so they can only go in your carry on luggage if the containers are 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller per container, and all containers must fit in a 1 quart (1 liter) clear zip top bag. So a container that’s 6 ounces will not be permitted, even if it’s almost empty. And you can only have one liquids bag. If your oils are too big, you can either buy travel sized refillable bottles (just make sure they’re ok to use with oil) or you’d have to pack them in your checked luggage.

  5. karen cullum
    October 14, 2019 @ 9:18 pm

    can i take diet whey please

    • Ali Garland
      October 15, 2019 @ 11:21 am

      Hi Karen! If the whey is in liquid form, it must comply with the liquids rule to go in your carry on. If it’s in powder form, TSA has a new rule about powders that says “Starting June 30, 2018, if you are traveling from an international last-point-of-departure to the U.S., powder-based substances in carry-on baggage greater than 350mL or 12 oz. may require additional screening at the central checkpoint. Powder-like substances over 12 oz. or 350mL in carry-on that cannot be resolved at the central checkpoint will not be allowed onto the cabin of the aircraft and will be disposed of. For your convenience, place powders in your checked bag.”

  6. Mike Chambers
    October 5, 2019 @ 8:25 pm

    Hi. Can I take a potable travel humidifier in my hand luggage
    Thanks
    Mike

    • Ali Garland
      October 7, 2019 @ 4:18 pm

      Hi Mike! I can’t find anything on the TSA site specifically about humidifiers, but I can’t think of any reason why it wouldn’t be allowed. Just make sure it’s completely empty, no water left in it at all.

  7. Janice
    September 16, 2019 @ 6:22 pm

    I have a stick form of foundation from Bare Minerals what TSA bag due I store it in? Could I carry this foundation stick in my handbag? Thank you. Janice

    • Ali Garland
      September 18, 2019 @ 10:00 am

      So I keep reading about their stick foundation as “liquid foundation in a stick” which might just be how they describe it or it might really be considered a liquid. So I’m not 100% sure on this one. If you can fit it in your liquids bag, you might want to do that to be safe. If the consistency of the stick is similar to a normal lipstick, you could try to pass it off as a solid and then just put it anywhere in your carry on bag, but I can’t give you a definite answer on that one. You could also ask TSA directly through their Twitter or Facebook profile.

      • Deborah
        November 9, 2020 @ 5:28 pm

        Can I carry on vitamins and in their original bottles

        • Ali Garland
          November 11, 2020 @ 11:04 am

          Hi Deborah! Yes, vitamins are allowed in your carry on bag. It’s best to keep them in their original containers, but for domestic travel within the US, TSA isn’t going to be concerned with vitamins. It’s only an issue if you’re traveling to another country, in which case, you should research the rules of the country you’re going to.

  8. D seeders
    September 14, 2019 @ 5:35 pm

    Can i carry on underseat bag my white noise machine or my white noise cancell machine??

    • Ali Garland
      September 16, 2019 @ 1:35 pm

      Electronics like those should be fine. It’s always possible the security agent wants you to take them out of your bag for closer screening, but that’s about it.

  9. Jayne parker
    August 27, 2019 @ 5:13 pm

    Hi can you take hairdryer straighteners n iron n travel kettle in your hand luggage flying from Doncaster to benidorm .

    • Ali Garland
      August 28, 2019 @ 4:18 pm

      Hi Jayne! As long as they all fit in your carry on baggage, they are all fine to bring. Just remember Spain and the UK use different plug styles.

  10. Shilan
    August 27, 2019 @ 12:24 am

    Hello, can I carry my her in my hair dryer and Straightner carry on bag travelling from Australia to UK AND ITALY & Santorini ?

    Thanks

    • Ali Garland
      August 27, 2019 @ 1:12 pm

      Hi Shilan! Yes, you should be fine to pack your hair dryer and hair straightener in your carry on bag from Australia and within Europe.

  11. Sandra K Decker
    August 14, 2019 @ 11:00 pm

    Can CBD Oil be taken in a carry on bag? It does not contain THC

  12. Nadene Sanders
    July 30, 2019 @ 7:59 pm

    Hello, can I carry an extension cord in my carry on bag

    • Ali Garland
      August 2, 2019 @ 12:43 pm

      Hi Nadene, you sure can!

  13. Erica Nunez
    June 4, 2019 @ 1:47 am

    Can I pack a blow dryer diffuser? Not bringing a blow dryer just a diffuser

    • Ali Garland
      June 5, 2019 @ 4:53 am

      Hi Erica! It’s just an attachment, so that’s fine.

  14. Sabrina Broach
    May 31, 2019 @ 5:56 pm

    Can you take candy in your carry on for diabetes in case sugar get low?

    • Ali Garland
      June 1, 2019 @ 6:52 am

      Yep, you sure can!

  15. Fergus
    May 29, 2019 @ 4:10 pm

    Can l take a corded electric sander in other words not battery operated, but 240 volts in my carry on bag? Thankyou

    • Ali Garland
      May 31, 2019 @ 10:31 am

      Hi Fergus! I can’t find “electric sander” specifically on the TSA website, but they do say that power tools that are 7 inches or shorter when assembled are allowed, longer than 7 inches must go in your checked luggage: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/tools. Tools that can be used as a weapon (hammer, saw, etc.) are not allowed in carry-on.

      • Fergus
        May 31, 2019 @ 11:11 am

        Thankyou.

        Fergus

  16. Mandy
    January 21, 2019 @ 9:06 pm

    I am traveling for work and they are requiring me to have my steel toe boots. Am I allowed to have those in my carry on? I don’t plan on having any checked bags.

    • Ali Garland
      January 23, 2019 @ 11:02 am

      Hi Mandy! Yes, you can pack steel toe boots in your carry on.