Whether you’re traveling with gifts for others or bringing back meaningful souvenirs from a trip, you may find yourself with a candle that you want to bring with you. You can bring candles on a plane with some restrictions, so here’s all you need to know. As long as your candle is solid, they are allowed in both checked and carry-on luggage.
Key Takeaways
- Solid wax candles are allowed in both checked and carry-on luggage, but gel candles are subject to the 3-1-1 rule or must be packed in checked luggage.
- When traveling with candles, it’s important to pack them carefully to prevent damage to personal items, such as placing them in a bag or wrapping them in protective clothing.
- Candles should not be lit on a plane, so it’s best to leave the lighter at home.
How To Travel With Candles?
The great news is that you can travel with candles, but there are some exceptions. If the candle is solid wax, you can bring it in either your carry-on or your checked bag. If the candle is gel or any other consistency, it will qualify as a liquid and be subject to the 3-1-1 rule.
Either your candle needs to be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and fit in a one-quart-sized bag, or you must pack it in your checked luggage. There are no limits to the size or the number of candles you can bring with you on a plane, though the consistency will depend on where you can pack it.
As most candles are encased in glass, you want to be careful with how you pack them to make sure they get to your final destination unscathed.
- Consider placing your candle in a bag to prevent any glass shards from damaging your personal items.
- Consider wrapping your glass candle in clothes or another protective wrapping to provide additional cushioning.
If the candle is solid or small enough, you can pack it in your carry-on so you can be more gentle with it during transit. Checked bags, even when they are marked fragile, may be subject to rough transit as the bags bounce from conveyor to conveyor.
You are not allowed to light a candle while on a plane, so resist the urge, even if your seatmate isn’t smelling super fresh or you’re seated near the restroom.
How Do I Know If My Candle Is Solid Or Gel?
Most candles are solid. They are made of hardened wax, including paraffin, soy wax, beeswax, palm wax, coconut wax, and so on. These are the most common type of candles, so if you’ve picked one up when you’re on the go, it’s most likely a solid candle, and as such, there are no restrictions to where and how many you can carry as long as they fit comfortably in your bag.
Gel candles use wax, but it’s a rubbery or transparent consistency. It’s typically made of polymer resin and mineral oil. The upside to using gel candles is that they typically burn longer than traditional wax candles. The downside is that they tend to be less safe.
There have been stories of exploding gel candles, and while they won’t be lit, airport security tends to be cautious when it comes to things that could cause disruption on a flight. You can carry these types of candles in your checked luggage, though you’ll want to check with your airline directly to make sure they are not prohibited.
So, Can I Travel With Candles?
Yes, you can absolutely travel with candles, but it depends on what it’s made of and the size of the candle. There are no restrictions on traditional wax candles, so you can bring them in your personal items, carry-on luggage, or checked bags. If you are traveling with a gel candle, it needs to be in your checked bag, regardless of the size. Again, there are no limits on the number of gel candles you can fly with.
Candles should never be used in flight, so if you feel tempted to have a zen moment while cruising in the air, consider leaving the lighter at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I bring candles in my carry-on luggage?
Yes, you can bring solid wax candles in your carry-on luggage. However, gel candles are subject to the 3-1-1 rule or must be packed in checked luggage.
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How do I know if my candle is solid or gel?
Solid candles are made of hardened wax, while gel candles have a rubbery or transparent consistency made of polymer resin and mineral oil.
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Can I bring scented candles on a plane?
Yes, you can bring scented candles on a plane as long as they meet the requirements for solid wax or the 3-1-1 rule for gel candles.
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How many candles can I bring on a plane?
There is no limit on the number of candles you can bring on a plane as long as they meet the size and consistency requirements.
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Can I light a candle on a plane?
No, candles should not be lit on a plane, so it’s best to leave the lighter at home.
