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Original poster

Taking boxes of daily contact lenses in hand luggage?

16 replies

Minfilia · 22/02/2023 09:33

Does anyone know if this is possible?

I need to travel abroad with 2xboxes of daily disposable lenses so (60 in total) and they definitely don’t fit into one of those tiny bags for liquids!

I don’t need to take hold luggage and paying £60 each way to take a suitcase seems daft if I don’t need to.

are they classed as liquid like everything else if I take them boxed up?

TIA

OP posts:
nevertakeadvicefromsomeonewhosfallingapart · 22/02/2023 09:39

I did it a few weeks ago and it wasn't questioned. I was travelling within Europe if that helps.

Original poster
Minfilia · 22/02/2023 09:47

It does help, thank you. I’m also travelling within Europe.

Its £50 worth of lenses so I don’t really want to risk them being confiscated and if I ship them over I can’t guarantee that I’ll be around to actually accept the delivery…

OP posts:
HavfrueDenizKisi · 22/02/2023 10:19

I've always taken them as hand luggage in case hold luggage goes missing. Never had a problem.

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VanCleefArpels · 22/02/2023 10:26

If you are going away for 60 days I’d prioritise the small plastic bag for the lenses and buy other toiletries etc when you get to destination

benten54 · 22/02/2023 10:34

VanCleefArpels · 22/02/2023 10:26

If you are going away for 60 days I’d prioritise the small plastic bag for the lenses and buy other toiletries etc when you get to destination

This. Although I doubt they'd pull you up if they are sealed in their box.
I'd prioritise the lenses. Buy all toiletries when you get there or once past security. Make up wise try and bring everything in powered format so no need to be bagged and any that can't be powdered e.g foundation put in the little bag. If you get pulled up make sure the lenses can fit in the bag (or can be shared out with other travelling companions) and you are good to go.

Simply no need to bring any other liquids really.

sproutsandparsnips · 22/02/2023 10:38

I travelled recently with hand luggage and put my lenses in the liquids bag. The man said there was no need as the amount of liquid was so small.

bellinisurge · 22/02/2023 10:43

Can't you take them out of the boxes and tip them into the liquids bag. They will shuffle themselves around the other items you have in there.

benten54 · 22/02/2023 10:43

Actually a quick Google shows:
Vision direct: "Blister packs don't count as a liquid in your carry-on luggage when flying"

Most of the airports website say the same...

bellinisurge · 22/02/2023 10:45

Use bar shampoo and conditioner. Use a gentle soap for face cleanser. Use toothpaste balls instead of paste. Non of these needs to go in your liquids bag.

benten54 · 22/02/2023 10:51

bellinisurge · 22/02/2023 10:45

Use bar shampoo and conditioner. Use a gentle soap for face cleanser. Use toothpaste balls instead of paste. Non of these needs to go in your liquids bag.

The number of contact lenses she's taking indicates she's away for a month at least. Just buy that stuff at the destination rather than resorting to toothpaste balls. Unless she's hiking in the Appalachians and getting airlifted into a mountainside other places do have shops. As does erm.. airside in a UK airport!
Anyway. Most airport websites indicate they don't count as liquids

HeresANewNameForToday · 22/02/2023 10:54

You're fine, I do this all the time. Keep them boxed. If you do take shampoo and conditioner etc; be prepared to lob them if you get an overzealous security person who insists the blister packs need to go inside the liquids bag, but they won't count towards how much liquid you can take, they're exempt as long as they are sealed.

It's never been an issue for me and I fly loads.

Original poster
Minfilia · 22/02/2023 11:00

Thanks all - yes, just to clarify, I have no intention of taking any toiletries as they are so easy to buy so theoretically the liquid bag would only be used for lenses.

The problem is that the two boxes I need don’t fit in the bag and I have a strong and slightly odd prescription - basically I’m blind as a bat (-8.5), with astigmatism in both eyes, so my lenses aren’t easy to come by and have to be ordered in!

I think I’ll chance it with hand luggage, get there early and then just pay to put it in the hold if it’s a problem. At least then I’d only have to pay on the way there. But it’s good to know it probably won’t be an issue.

Not that airport security is that stringent - last week I accidentally packed a 200ml can of mousse (it was still stashed in my case from a previous uk trip!) which I discovered when I landed, and which didn’t get flagged by security as a liquid…

OP posts:
bellinisurge · 22/02/2023 11:03

I'm -10 and -9.5 so I get your pain. But I still don't see why you can't just tip them into a liquids bag.

bellinisurge · 22/02/2023 11:04

Don't forget you will need to come back through security so you will have the same problem (with fewer lenses) on the way home.

Magentax · 22/02/2023 11:21

Just still them in a clear bag - why would you need to keep them in the box? The prescription strength doesn't make them bigger!

Blondeshavemorefun · 22/02/2023 13:10

I always put my contacts i to hand luggage incase suitcase gets lost

If I go away I take double what I need I case any damages /split etx

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