Carry-On Liquids Bag: Rules & Best Bags 2026

Last spring I watched a guy at Berlin Brandenburg airport lose a full bottle of expensive cologne at security. It was a 200 ml bottle with maybe 40 ml left inside. He tried explaining that it was practically empty. The security officer smiled, shook her head, and dropped it in the bin.

The rule doesn't care how much is left. It cares about the container size.

I've been flying roughly 15 to 20 times a year for the last few years, and the carry-on liquids bag situation still trips people up. In 2019 alone, the TSA confiscated over 1.5 million pounds of liquids from US airport checkpoints. That's roughly 24 full garbage trucks. Just liquids.

And the headlines keep changing. "100ml rule scrapped!" then "Wait, no it isn't!" then "New CT scanners allow 2 liters!" It's a mess. So I went through the actual regulations, tested different bags on real flights, and put together everything you need to know for 2026.

Quick Answer: You need one single transparent, resealable carry-on liquids bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter. Each individual container can hold no more than 100 ml. The 100ml rule carry-on restriction still applies at the vast majority of European airports in 2026. The best bags cost around 8 euros for a 6-pack on Amazon, or you can invest 12 to 15 euros once in something like the Leitz WOW Reise Zip-Kulturbeutel, durchsichtig, Wasserabweisend, Idealer Kosmetikbeutel für Reisen und im Handgepäck, Maße (BxHxT): 24 x 17 x 3 cm, which frequent flyers in online communities report using for 8+ years.

Leitz WOW Reise Zip-Kulturbeutel, durchsichtig, Wasserabweisend, Idealer Kosmetikbeutel für Reisen und im Handgepäck, Maße (BxHxT): 24 x 17 x 3 cm

4.6 (760)

EUR 5.99 Amazon

The 100ml Rule in 2026: What Actually Applies?

Quick history lesson. In August 2006, British police foiled a planned terror attack on multiple transatlantic flights. The plotters intended to smuggle liquid explosives in drink bottles. By November 2006, the EU introduced the liquids restriction: maximum 100 ml per container, all packed in a transparent 1-liter bag.

It was supposed to be temporary.

Almost 20 years later, it's still here.

Now here's where things get confusing. Between 2023 and early 2024, airports like Frankfurt and Munich started installing new CT scanners that can scan liquids in 3D. Suddenly passengers were told they could carry up to 2 liters per container. People stopped bringing their carry-on liquids bags entirely.

Then September 2024 happened. The EU had concerns about scanner reliability and rolled back the relaxed rules. Back to 100 ml for everyone.

In July 2025, the EU officially re-approved CT scanners for the higher limit. But, and this is the part people miss, that doesn't mean every airport has them.

Which European Airports Have CT Scanners? (As of April 2026)

According to a Euronews analysis from January 2026, the majority of European airports haven't implemented the new systems yet. Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, Athens, Lisbon? All still 100 ml.

My honest advice: always pack your 1-liter carry-on liquids bag with 100 ml containers. Even if you're flying out of Munich. Even the ADAC (Germany's auto club) recommends checking your departure airport's status before traveling. And if you end up at a checkpoint with an older scanner, you're covered.

What Counts as a Liquid?

This is where people get tripped up. The EU's aviation security rules define a liquid as anything that is "liquid, viscous, gel-like, creamy or of similar consistency" at room temperature. If you want a full breakdown of what's allowed beyond liquids, the what you can take in carry-on guide (Coming Soon) covers it in detail.

In practice that means:

Obviously liquid: Water, perfume, contact lens solution, mouthwash, liquid foundation

Most people get this: Toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, hand cream, sunscreen, hair gel, shaving foam

Many people forget this: Mascara, lip gloss, cream deodorant, liquid concealer, tinted moisturizer

Wait, really? Yes, really: Nutella, peanut butter, honey, jam, cream cheese, yogurt, hummus

I once watched someone in the Dusseldorf security line have their jar of pesto confiscated. They were genuinely shocked. But pesto is creamy, and creamy counts as a liquid under these rules.

No liquids bag needed for: Solid soap, lipstick (solid), powder makeup, solid deodorant sticks, tablets, chewing gum

The Right Bag: Size, Material, Closure

The regulations say: transparent, resealable, maximum 1 liter. That's it. But not every liquids bag for hand luggage that looks right is actually practical for frequent use.

The transparency requirement is worth taking seriously. Your carry-on liquids bag must be a fully clear transparent bag for flight security. Not frosted, not milky, not tinted. Security staff need to see the contents at a glance without opening the bag. A zip bag for airport security that's even slightly opaque can get you pulled aside at some stricter checkpoints.

Here's what else matters:

Size: The standard dimension is 20 x 20 cm. That gives you roughly 1 liter when laid flat. Some bags are 23 x 17 cm or 24 x 18 cm. Those generally pass too. But don't go bigger. I've read reports of security rejecting bags that clearly exceeded 1 liter.

Closure: Zip-lock is the standard. Slider closures work too. Velcro? I've never seen one at a checkpoint, and I probably wouldn't risk it.

Durability: Cheap freezer bags tear at the zipper after two or three flights. If you fly more than twice a year, a sturdier bag pays for itself quickly. In Germany's frequent flyer community Vielfliegertreff, members report that a quality bag easily lasts 5 to 8 years.

Leak-proof: Sounds obvious, but not all zip bags actually hold when a shampoo bottle opens mid-flight. A bag with a reinforced bottom protects the rest of your carry-on.

Best Carry-On Liquids Bags Compared

Finding the best travel toiletry bag for your situation really comes down to how often you fly. Here's my honest take on the options worth considering.

Budget Pick: Zip Bags Multi-Pack

For occasional travelers this is perfectly fine. The Zip Beutel Flugzeug Flüssigkeiten Beutel 6 Packen 20x20 cm, TSA Zugelassener 1 Liter Flugzeug Handgepäck, Reise Urlaub Must Have, Wasserdichter und Auslaufsicher mit Griff comes as a 6-pack and costs under 10 euros. The bags are 20 x 20 cm, fully transparent, and marketed as flight-approved.

I think each individual bag probably lasts 10 to 15 flights before the zipper gives out. But with six in the pack, that's years of occasional travel covered. For one or two trips a year? More than enough.

Zip Beutel Flugzeug Flüssigkeiten Beutel 6 Packen 20x20 cm, TSA Zugelassener 1 Liter Flugzeug Handgepäck, Reise Urlaub Must Have, Wasserdichter und Auslaufsicher mit Griff

4.7 (253)

EUR 7.99 Amazon

Premium Pick: Leitz WOW Travel Zip Pouch

The Leitz WOW Reise Zip-Kulturbeutel, durchsichtig, Wasserabweisend, Idealer Kosmetikbeutel für Reisen und im Handgepäck, Maße (BxHxT): 24 x 17 x 3 cm is something of a legend among frequent flyers. In the Vielfliegertreff forum, one member reported using theirs for over 8 years. The dimensions (24 x 17 cm) differ slightly from the standard 20x20, but the capacity is around 1 liter and it passes security consistently.

The bag is water-resistant, has a solid slider closure, and you can just wipe it clean. Sure, it costs more than freezer bags. But it's also not a single-use product.

Maybe I'm biased here, but in my experience the Leitz WOW is the best value carry-on liquids bag you can buy. 12 to 15 euros, and you won't need a replacement for years. If you're a regular flyer, it's the obvious choice over a multi-pack. For an occasional trip, the multi-pack wins on price.

Leitz WOW Reise Zip-Kulturbeutel, durchsichtig, Wasserabweisend, Idealer Kosmetikbeutel für Reisen und im Handgepäck, Maße (BxHxT): 24 x 17 x 3 cm

4.6 (760)

EUR 5.99 Amazon

Travel Bottles as a Complement

A good carry-on liquids bag alone isn't enough. You also need the right containers. The silicone travel bottles from Silikon Reiseflaschen Set, 4 Stück 100ml Auslaufsicher Squeeze Reise Container Portable nachfüllbare Toilettenartikel Set, Leere Reisegröße für Shampoo Conditioner Lotion come as a 4-pack. 100 ml each, BPA-free, leak-proof, and you can squeeze them to get the last drop out.

I used to buy those tiny travel-size bottles from the drugstore. Shampoo for 2.50 euros in a 50 ml bottle. Totally overpriced. Since I started using refillable travel bottles with my regular shampoo, I save maybe 5 to 8 euros per trip. Sounds small. Adds up over a year though.

Silikon Reiseflaschen Set, 4 Stück 100ml Auslaufsicher Squeeze Reise Container Portable nachfüllbare Toilettenartikel Set, Leere Reisegröße für Shampoo Conditioner Lotion

4.5 (1,793)

EUR 8.99 Amazon

Where to Buy Your Liquids Bag

My recommendation: if you have a day or two before your flight, order online. The selection is better, prices are fair, and you can actually read reviews. Generic zip bags from the supermarket work fine too. In the Vielfliegertreff community, those are actually rated as the best budget option.

If you forgot your bag and you're already at the airport: Munich, Dusseldorf, Dortmund, and Bremen have vending machines with zip bags. Usually 1 euro for 2. Not great, but they'll save your flight.

How to Pack Your Carry-On Liquids Bag Efficiently

The math is simple. A 1-liter bag with 100 ml containers fits a maximum of 10 bottles. Ten. That's the absolute ceiling. And honestly, squeezing ten 100 ml bottles into a single carry-on liquids bag is a workout.

Here's the system I've settled on after probably 40 flights in the last few years:

Use smaller containers. Do you really need 100 ml of toothpaste for a long weekend? Probably not. With 50 ml and 25 ml containers, you fit more variety into the same bag.

Think about what actually needs to be in your carry-on. Shower gel and shampoo are available at every hotel. Contact lens solution and medication? Those need to fly with you.

Pack the bag on top. You have to remove it from your carry-on at the security checkpoint. If it's buried at the bottom, you'll be digging around while 20 people behind you wait impatiently. I've been that person. It's not fun.

Actually seal the zip. Sounds trivial. It is. But a leaky shampoo bottle plus an open carry-on liquids bag equals chaos across your entire hand luggage.

The 5 Most Common Liquids Bag Mistakes

1. The half-empty bottle. I lived this, you just read about it. A 200 ml container is a 200 ml container. Doesn't matter if there's only a teaspoon left inside. Confiscated.

2. Bringing multiple bags. One carry-on liquids bag per passenger. That's the rule. Not two small ones. Not one per piece of hand luggage. One. Travel experts confirm this is one of the most common misconceptions.

3. Forgetting about food. Nutella, honey, cream cheese, yogurt, pesto, hummus. All liquids under the rule. I once accompanied a friend who wanted to bring a jar of homemade jam as a gift. At BER security it was taken away. 350 ml jar. Zero chance.

4. The "I don't need a bag" optimist. Someone in a Facebook group said that at airport X nobody asks for the bag. Maybe. But next time there's a different person at the checkpoint who takes it seriously. And then you're standing there with loose bottles that all get confiscated.

5. Leaving the bag inside your luggage. Most airports require you to present the bag separately at the checkpoint. If you don't take it out, you get pulled aside and have to open your bag. Takes extra time, annoys everyone behind you.

Solid Alternatives: Fewer Liquids, More Space

You know what the best carry-on liquids bag strategy actually is? Bringing fewer liquids in the first place. Then you have more bag space for the stuff that genuinely has to be liquid.

Here's what exists in solid form these days:

Solid shampoo bars. They work just as well, last forever, and take zero space in your carry-on liquids bag. Brands like Foamie, Ethique, or HiBAR sell them from about 4 to 8 euros.

Toothpaste tablets. You chew a tablet and brush with a wet toothbrush. Sounds weird. Works surprisingly well. And since they're solid, no liquids bag required.

Solid deodorant. Deodorant sticks are technically not a liquid and don't need to go in the bag. Spray deodorant or cream deodorant? Those count as liquids.

Solid shower gel. Available as shower bars or syndet bars. Saves real space.

I've found a mix that works for me personally: solid shampoo, solid deodorant, and then the only things in my carry-on liquids bag are sunscreen, toothpaste, and contact lens solution. Three bottles instead of seven. The bag is half empty and I'm through security in 10 seconds.

TSA Liquids Rules: A Note for US Travelers

If you're flying from or through the US, the TSA liquids bag rules follow the same basic principle: one quart-sized (roughly 1 liter) clear zip bag per passenger, with containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less. The TSA liquids bag must be placed in a bin separately at security, just like in Europe.

One difference worth knowing: the TSA has been rolling out CT scanners at select airports since 2022, but the 3-1-1 rule still applies across the board. Don't assume your departure airport has upgraded equipment.

Liquids in Checked Baggage: The Other Option

If you want to skip the whole carry-on liquids bag headache entirely: checked baggage has no 100 ml restriction. You can pack your normal 250 ml shampoo bottle right in the big suitcase.

The only limit per EU regulations: individual containers can hold a maximum of 500 ml, and the total per passenger is 2 liters. In practice, nobody really checks this for checked bags.

So if you're traveling with checked luggage (Coming Soon), pack the big bottles there and only carry the essentials in your hand luggage. And if you're unsure whether to check your bag at all, the carry-on luggage size guide (Coming Soon) breaks down what fits where.

Before You Pack Your Bag

Getting your carry-on liquids bag sorted before every flight only takes a few minutes once you have the right system. One transparent 1-liter bag, containers under 100 ml, solid alternatives where possible. That's genuinely it. In my experience, travelers who dread security the most are usually the ones who never quite got their liquids bag routine down. Sort that out, and checkpoints feel a lot less stressful.