If you are a devoted camper, you must travel a lot. Your favorite camping destination is not always in your country. The destination may be a thousand kilometers away from your home on some occasions. Therefore, persons who want the utmost camping experience can not avoid flying. When it comes to flying, some obvious questions come to the camper’s mind – how to fly with camping gear, what gears I can carry, and what to avoid in the airplane. In our article, I will answer all the questions you might have when you fly with camping gear.
Fly with camping gear: Allowed things
Tent
The general guideline for the camping tent is that you can carry it on both your checked or hand luggage. However, the poles and tent stakes of the tent must be in the checked luggage. If you want to take the tent in a carry-on bag, ensure the bag is compact. Otherwise, it will not fit inside the overhead bin of the airplane.
Sleeping bag and pad
Sleeping bags can take in both the carry bag and the checked luggage. I would, in fact, suggest carrying a compact sleeping bag on the airplane. For example, a small one will take the space of a football. Larger ones will consume the precious volume allowance.
Sleeping pads and air mattresses have similar guidelines as sleeping bags. The mattress pump is also allowed to carry in any of the bags. The problem with these camping gear is that they will take up a huge space. Therefore, try to take the type of sleeping gear that is compact.
Knife and flashlight
A camping knife has to be carried in the checked bag. The knife or any sharp object should be secured and appropriately wrapped while carrying it on the flight so that the inspection officer can check it, avoiding injury. However, you may carry a flashlight in both the luggage with no restrictions.
Matches
No matches are allowed to carry in the checked luggage. You can carry one book of safety matches in your carry-on bag. One book may contain around 20 matchboxes. However, you can not carry strike anywhere matches. Matches are not expensive, and they are available everywhere. Therefore, you may buy some of them instead of carrying on the flight to avoid restrictions.
The items above are often thought to be restricted on the flight. They are, in fact, not restricted but have some simple guidelines to follow. You can carry the majority of the camping gear with no restrictions. I’m not mentioning all the items in my list.
Fly with camping gear: Disallowed list
Any kind of fuel
You will need fuel while cooking. All kinds of fuel are prohibited from carrying either carry-on bags or checked luggage. Therefore, if you want to cook with the stove, you must purchase the fuel after reaching the destination. You can’t even carry fuel that you will use to heat a tent.
Torch lighter
It is an essential material for the campers to start the campfire. You can not carry it either in your carry-on or checked luggage. Therefore, prepare yourself to start the fire without it beforehand. Or manage it after reaching the camping location.
Bear spray
You can not carry bear spray or bear banger on the flight by any means. Although it is a necessary camping gear when your camping trip is in the wilderness, airlines will not allow it considering it a hazardous and dangerous item. Therefore, if you do not have any alternative to bear spray, you may have to look for it after arriving at your destination.
Gas cylinder
Other than personal medical oxygen, you can not carry any gas cylinder on the plane. However, if the cylinder is empty, only then can you carry it, given that the cylinder has an open end. The inspector at the airport will visually inspect it. After her confirmation, you can carry it in your checked luggage.
Fly with camping gear: Special instructions
Parachutes
With special instructions, you can carry parachutes on the flight, either carry-on or checked baggage. You have to pack the parachutes in a separate bag so that the inspection officer can check them. Parachutes can not be carried on the flight without screening. It may take around 30 minutes to complete the inspection and repacking. Therefore, consider adding this additional time at the airport when planning your tour.
Camping stove
You can carry a camping stove in any of your luggage. However, the stove has to be free from fuel or fuel vapor. Therefore, I’d suggest taking the stove in the checked luggage after ensuring no fuel residue remains.
Aerosol insecticide
You can carry aerosol insecticides in the checked bags. But it must not be labeled as hazardous. Moreover, the TSA restricts carrying it in the carry-on bag considering it harmful to passengers.
How to pack when you fly with camping gear
After you know what you can carry with you, packing is the most important part of preparing for the flight. You need to take all the necessary gear within the weight and volume limit. It is a great challenge for the campers because most of them will exceed the limits because they don’t know how to plan for it. However, below are some essential packing guidelines.
Know the luggage size and weight limits
After checking the TSA guideline, the next thing you need to confirm is the size and weight limits. Every airline may have its own size, shape, and weight guidelines. In addition, some airlines may impose additional charges for carrying sporting and camping gear. Therefore, ask the airlines regarding all these points beforehand.
Below are the size limits of carry-on luggage of three different airlines.
- Delta Airlines: 9’’x 14’’ x 22’’
- American Airlines: 10’’x 14’’ x 22’’
- Frontier Airlines: 10’’x 16’’ x 24’’
Therefore, different airlines may have different policies. You have to know the policy before starting packing.
Pack light
Know your weight limit for the flight and keep the weight of your luggage within it. If you are availing of a cheap flight, you may have a very limited or no checked luggage allowance. You may need to pay the airlines to get some additional weight limit in such cases. Therefore, plan your packing, knowing the limits beforehand. Otherwise, it may incur extra charges.
After knowing how much you can carry, pack your luggage as light as possible. Consider taking the gears only if you really need them. When purchasing camping gear for the tour, check the weight first. Consider purchasing the most lightweight gear. Tents or sleeping bags can be the items that weigh the most. Therefore, choose these items carefully.
Apart from weight, consider limiting the volume and dimension of your baggage. Check whether there is any guideline from the airlines regarding the size of the luggage. Compression stacks are good at making your baggage compact. You can use them. Check to make sure that you can fold the tent you take properly.
Take as few clothes as possible. You should not change your clothes every single day when you are camping. Therefore, take only a few of them and save some space in your luggage. On the other hand, you may wear a few layers of clothes when flying. Taking some heavy items in your pocket during the flight is tricky.
Make a checklist
When you are packing your stuff, making a checklist will ease the job. In addition, it will save you from leaving your essentials mistakenly. Start making a list at least seven days before packing. The checklist will be different for everyone. However, below is the common gear items that a camper should have on his checklist.
- Sleeping mattress, pad, or bag
- Tent
- Clothes appropriate for the weather
- Trashbag
- Camping stove
- Cookware
- Rope
Put the majority of the gear in the checked bag
The majority of the airlines and the TSA will not allow the gears that they consider a threat to the passengers. For example, you can not carry walking sticks or tent poles in the carry-on bag. These items are only allowed in checked luggage. Therefore, put most of the gear in the checked luggage to avoid restrictions. Clothes are the most appropriate items you can take in the carry-on bag.
Don’t carry expensive material that you may lose
Never carry the expensive gear items with you on the plane. You may lose the gear at any point among different checking and waiting stops. On the other hand, even if the TSA website allows a gear item to carry, it is completely the inspector’s discretion. On whether she will allow you to carry it after a physical inspection. In such cases, you will have to leave it behind.
Checklist for the items to purchase at the destination
Make a checklist of the gear that you can not take with you because of the restriction of the airline and TSA. Some of the items in your checklist are mandatory items that you can not avoid. For example, you must have to carry some fuel for cooking. The fuel of any type is restricted on the flight. Therefore, you must purchase items like these at the destination.
Try to avoid carrying gear that is not that important. When purchasing the gear at the destination, do not purchase in a bulk amount. Remember that you will have to leave the leftovers during the return flight. Therefore, do not purchase any expensive items restricted on the flight.
Research the local guidelines of the country of destination
Transportation Security Administration is responsible for guiding the airline passengers regarding the rules and regulations of the USA. Their guidelines are not always appropriate for other countries. In fact, some countries may have different guidelines for carrying baggage. Therefore, if you are camping in a different country, check whether the country of destination has the same guidelines.
Securing the luggage
Choosing the right bag or luggage is important when you fly with camping gear. The luggage itself has to be lightweight so that it does not consume much of your limited weight.
Duffel bag
A sizable duffel bag is a good option for securing and packing your camping gear. They are affordable and lightweight. If you take some items in your personal bag, then a duffel bag is good enough to carry the rest of the items. Duffel bags are compact. Therefore, they meet the dimension limits of the majority of the airlines.
Laundry bag or heavy-duty trash bag
These are the most inexpensive and lightweight means of securing your gears. Laundry bags or trash bags will consume a limited space when folded. Therefore, they are good for the small tents where you can fall short of space. You need to use straps or tapes to secure the bag tightly.
Secure the luggage with cling wrap
A cling wrap will secure your luggage and make it compact. Using cling wrap and tape is a must if you carry your gear in lightweight bags such as the trash or laundry bag. Some airports have luggage wrapping facilities, but it will cost you a good amount of money. Therefore, I will suggest doing it by yourself.
Things to avail when you fly with camping gear
You can fly with the majority of the camping gear. However, a few items, such as the stove fuel, are restricted on the flight. Below are the process of availing the gears that you can not fly with.
Purchasing the gear at the destination is a way of availing it. For example, camp stove fuel is one of the most necessary items that you can not fly with. However, fuel is not a scarce item. You can purchase camp fuel after landing at your destination. If you are camping at an isolated location, ensure you have the fuel before reaching the camping place. Check the available places where you can purchase camp fuel before the flight.
There is a tricky way of finding some restricted gear items, such as the bear spray. As this item is not allowed on the flight, campers like you will leave it after the camping is over. You may ask the hotel, vacation host, or tour guide whether they have any leftovers. There is a high possibility that you’ll get the spray from them. However, try to contact them before reaching the camping location. If they cannot help you, you’ll have to buy it after landing.
The bottom line is if you can not fly with camping gear, you will have to purchase or collect it form after reaching the destination. Therefore, plan beforehand how and from where you will get these items.
Renting is a good option to avail gear that you can not fly with camping gear. Rent camping gear that you can not fly with. There are renting companies that can directly ship the gear to your hotel or camping location. Do not plan to rent the gear after reaching your destination. Reserve the gear that you need before onboarding the airplane. The gear you are looking for may not always be available to the provider.
How to avoid carrying camping gear on the flight
You can ship the gear to your destination if you don’t want to carry them on the flight. However, you need to make sure that someone will receive the shipment at the destination. Request at the hotel or the camping organizer whether they can do it for you.
You can use the USA postal service other than the private courier services. This is because it can manage you a lot of money. However, to avoid any unexpected delay, ship the gear with plenty of time in hand. If you are not camping alone, there must be a tour organizer. Ask them whether they can manage the camping gear for rent. Many organized camping have the camping gear included in their service. Therefore, flying with camping gear will be redundant
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Sharp equipment such as blades and camping knives are essential gear items. You must need these during camping times. You can carry your knife or blade while flying with some special instructions. Any sharp equipment has to be covered and appropriately secured while packing them. Additionally, you can not carry them in your handbag. They must be in the checked luggage. Sharp equipment is considered a threat for the passengers. Therefore, any such equipment or gear is restricted to carry in the handbag.
If you have any restrictions on flying with camping gear items or want to keep yourself relaxed while flying to a new place. Renting the gear at the camping location will be a good option. If you have to rent it, keep in mind that the renting cost will drop sharply as the number of nights increases. For example, if the rent of the car camping kit is $100 for a single night, then for five nights, it will be around $200. Therefore, you can cut the costs if you stay for longer.
The Transport Security Administration (TSA) has a comprehensive guideline regarding almost everything you wish to carry on a fight. From the website of TSA, you can search for the gear item you want to fly with. It will guide you regarding the policies on flying with camping gear.
However, TSA will give you a generalized idea. To get the concrete guideline, you should check with the airline whether they have any additional restrictions or not. Sometimes the airline may impose special instructions, size, and weight guidelines on the gear items.
Tent stakes, knives, and trekking poles must be packed in checked luggage. These items are restricted to carry in the handbag. On the other hand, bear spray, firelighter, and fuel can not be carried on the airplane by any means. Other than these, you can fly with camping gear for the backpacking trip without any restrictions.
Conclusion
Do prior research about what you can take with you and pack as light and compact as possible. That’s the bottom line of fly with camping gear. Never be stressed. Try to reduce the weight and dimension of the luggage. Avoid carrying expensive materials. Also, try to take the bare minimum clothing with you.
You are going to enjoy the vacation with nature. Therefore, don’t overthink about the camping gear. Take as little as possible. You can buy, borrow or rent some of the gear at the destination if you can not carry them for some reason. Therefore, enjoy your time because flying with camping gear is not a big deal!