Liquids in Hand Luggage 2026: 100 ml or 2 Litres? Airport-by-Airport Guide
The 100 ml liquids rule is no longer universal. Some airports now let you keep containers up to 2 litres in your bag, while most still don't. The trap is that the rule depends on the airport you're leaving from, including on your way home. This guide shows where things stand, with official sources checked on 3 October 2026.
The one rule that always applies
Check the airport you depart from, on every leg. GOV.UK puts it plainly: rules depend on the airport you're flying from, and you should check any other airports you'll travel through, including your return journey. A 2-litre bottle that clears security in Dublin can be taken off you on the way back.
Where it stands (checked 3 October 2026)
| Departing from | Max container size | Clear bag? | Liquids out of the bag? | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin Airport | 2 litres, no limit on the number of items | No | No, they stay in your carry-on | dublinairport.com |
| London Heathrow (T2–T5) | 2 litres | No | No, they stay in your cabin bag | heathrow.com |
| Most other UK airports | 100 ml, unless the airport says otherwise | Depends on the airport. If asked, use one resealable 1-litre bag (about 20 × 20 cm) per person | Depends on the airport. Some with new scanners let you leave them in | gov.uk, BBC |
| US airports (TSA) | 100 ml (3.4 oz) | Yes, quart-sized | Separating it helps screening | tsa.gov |
| Anywhere else | Assume 100 ml | Assume yes | Assume yes | Check the airport's website |
Exemptions apply almost everywhere. Under GOV.UK, essential medicines, special dietary needs and baby food or milk can go above 100 ml at all UK airports, though you may need proof. Duty-free liquids sealed in a tamper-evident bag with the receipt are usually allowed too. Heathrow notes that flights to Australia have extra restrictions on liquids bought airside.
Packing for a mixed trip (e.g. Dublin out, 100 ml airport back)
- Pack for the strictest airport on your trip. If any leg has a 100 ml limit, use travel bottles of 100 ml or less and bring a resealable clear bag.
- Buy big at your destination. Buy full-size sunscreen or shampoo after you arrive and leave it behind, or finish it before you fly home.
- Swap to solids. Shampoo bars, solid deodorant and toothpaste tablets aren't liquids, so they avoid the problem entirely.
- Empty metal or insulated bottles before security. Heathrow specifically asks for this, and you can refill them airside.
- Keep the liquids pouch reachable. Many airports still ask you to take it out. Pack it in an outer pocket, not under compressed clothes.
Where to put liquids in a compression backpack
Keep liquids out of the vacuum-compressed section. Compression is for soft clothes. Bottles don't compress, and you don't want pressure on caps. In the Airbag Lite, pack clothes in the compression compartment, then keep your toiletries pouch in a separate pocket so you can pull it out at security without unpacking. For airport security with compressed clothes, see our security tips.
Don't forget the bag rules
Liquids rules are about security. Bag size rules come from your airline. Even at a 2-litre airport, your cabin bag still has to meet the airline's limits. Check them in our 2026 airline cabin bag size chart. Power banks have their own rules too: power banks on planes in 2026.
About the Airbag Lite
The Airbag Lite is a carry-on backpack with vacuum compression. You press clothes down by hand, then the included Air Pump Lite (free) draws out the remaining air. Packed size is 48 × 32 × 10 cm, so check your airline. Don't assume the expanded size is accepted in the cabin. It has a TSA-accepted combination lock and is rated 4.8★ from 350+ reviews · 3,000 customers. More answers in our FAQ.
Sources (checked 3 October 2026)
- Dublin Airport, "Security". dublinairport.com
- Heathrow, "Hand baggage and liquids". heathrow.com
- GOV.UK, "Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: Liquids". gov.uk
- TSA, "Liquids, Aerosols and Gels Rule". tsa.gov
- BBC News, "Heathrow scraps 100ml liquid container limit". bbc.co.uk
Airport rules change as new scanners roll out. Always check your departure airport's website before you travel.