Yes, you can bring saline solution on a plane; small bottles follow 3-1-1 and larger medical saline must be declared at screening.
Not Allowed
Conditional
Allowed
Carry-On Rules
- Bottles ≤100 ml in quart bag
- Larger medical amounts outside bag
- Tell the officer at the belt
3-1-1
Checked Bag
- No size cap
- Seal and bag to stop leaks
- Keep upright in luggage
Any Size
Medical Exemption
- Reasonable quantity for trip
- Extra screening may occur
- A note or label helps
Declare It
What Counts As Saline Solution For Air Travel
Saline includes contact lens rinse, sterile wound wash, nasal saline, and lab-grade sterile water. Each one is a plain salt-water mix. Some bottles say buffered, some say preservative-free. Those labels do not change how security treats the liquid. Security cares about volume, screening, and safety, not salt level.
Sprays still count as liquids. Pressurized bottles go through the same rules as non-pressurized ones. Single-use vials are handy since they are small and sealed. They sail through in a quart bag and save space.
Saline Packing Options And Limits
| Type | Carry-On Rules | Checked Bag Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Contact lens saline | Up to 100 ml in the 3-1-1 bag; larger allowed as medical when declared | No size cap; pad cap and bag for leaks |
| Wound wash saline | Same as above; remove and declare if over 100 ml | No size cap; keep upright |
| Nasal saline spray | Travel size in the bag; bigger bottles go as medical | Any size |
| Sterile water for CPAP | Allowed as medical; declare if over 100 ml | Any size |
| Multi-purpose lens solution | 3-1-1 for small bottles; larger as medical when declared | Any size |
Can You Bring Saline Solution On A Plane: Rules And Tips
In the United States, travel-size bottles ride in your quart bag. Bigger medical bottles ride outside the bag for screening. Tell the officer you have medical liquids. Pack them so they are easy to reach. That simple prep keeps the line moving.
For the rule text, see the TSA liquids rule and the page for liquid medications. Both say larger amounts are allowed in carry-on when you declare them for inspection. The officer may test a small sample or run extra checks.
Carry-On Rules In Plain Language
Keep travel sizes up to 100 ml in one clear quart bag. One bag per person. That bag goes in the bin at screening. A larger medical bottle sits outside the bag for a quick look. You can keep it in a small pouch so it stays neat in your tote.
If a test kit is needed, an officer will say so. You might be asked to open the cap. If the liquid fails a test, the bottle will not pass. That is rare with sealed retail saline.
Keep a small backup bottle in checked luggage.
Checked Bag Rules That Save Headaches
Checked bags take any size bottle. Use leak-proof caps. Wrap the bottle and place it near the center of the bag. Pressure shifts can burp liquid. A zip bag and a light wrap stop messes. Avoid glass if weight allows, since plastic flexes better.
International, EU, And UK Variations
Most countries mirror the 100 ml rule at security. Medical liquids can go over the limit after screening. The UK spells this out under its hand baggage rules for medicines and medical equipment. Across the EU, the 100 ml limit still applies at many airports, with medical exemptions kept in place. Some hubs use CT scanners that change tray steps, but volume caps can still apply. Check signs at the lane and follow staff prompts.
Some airports trial larger limits with CT scanners. Rules change by terminal and date. Your outbound airport may allow a big bottle in the cabin, while your return airport still uses the 100 ml cap. When in doubt, pack a few small bottles as backup and keep the larger one in checked luggage.
In the UK, a container over 100 ml that you need during the trip can pass when you show proof, like a prescription or a letter. The label on a retail bottle often does the job. In the EU, medical liquids also pass in “reasonable quantities” after extra checks. Plan a few extra minutes at security for that step.
How To Pack Saline Solution For Airport Security
Build A Simple Kit
Use a quart bag for daily carry. Drop in a 60–100 ml bottle, a spare case, and a few vials for backup. Add a tiny roll of tape for a loose cap. Keep a clean cloth in a side pocket.
Set Up For A Larger Medical Bottle
Place the bottle in a small clear pouch. Keep it near the top of your tote. At the belt, take it out and tell the officer you have medical saline. A short note or a photo of the label helps when you pass through a new airport abroad.
Labeling And Packaging
Original packaging helps. If you refill a travel bottle, add a simple label that says “saline.” Skip mystery bottles. Keep the receipt or a photo of the box. It speeds any question at the belt.
Keep It Sterile On The Road
Open only what you will use that day. Cap the bottle tight after each pour. Do not touch the tip. Toss single-use vials after one hit. Store bottles away from heat. A small insulated pouch works on summer routes.
Contact Lens Users: Smart Packing Moves
Daily lens wearers do best with one small bottle and a few vials. Pack a spare case, a mirror, and hand wipes. A drop of saline can clean a lens mid-flight when cabin air feels dry. Keep the kit under the seat so you can reach it without opening the bin.
If you use peroxide systems, keep the neutralizing case with the bottle. Do not use peroxide on the eye. It is for cleaning only. If you need a big bottle, treat it as a medical liquid and declare it. Your eyes will thank you for the clean gear on landing.
Medical Saline: Nebulizers, Wound Care, And CPAP
Travelers using nebulizers or wound kits often carry larger saline. Pack each bottle upright in a leak bag with soft padding. Keep tubing and tips in a clean pouch. If you use a CPAP, sterile water can ride in carry-on as a medical liquid, or you can buy it after security. Many hotels sell it in the gift shop near the front desk.
Some clinics hand out bulk bottles. Pour what you need into a mid-size bottle to cut weight. Keep the original label handy. A photo on your phone works fine.
Airline And Airport Quirks To Watch
Security rules come from agencies, not airlines, but cabin use can vary. A crew may ask you to stow bottles during takeoff and landing. Sprays can bother nearby seats, so use them in the lav or at your seat with care. If your route connects through two countries, match the stricter rule at the earlier checkpoint.
Some airlines stock small saline on long-haul routes. Treat it as a backup, not a plan. Supply can run out mid-cabin. Your own kit beats a last-minute hunt at 35,000 feet.
Duty-free liquids are a separate category. Those sealed bags use a special receipt and can pass through a later check. Saline is rarely sold duty-free, but the same logic applies if a pharmacy inside the terminal seals a medical bottle at purchase.
Edge Cases And Practical Notes
Is Saline A Hazardous Liquid
Saline is non-flammable and non-toxic. It is handled like a regular liquid at the checkpoint. The only red flag is an odd container or a test result that raises an alarm. Buy sealed retail bottles when you can.
What About Large Pressurized Cans
Large aerosol cans can leak or vent. Small nasal mists are fine in the 3-1-1 bag. Big metal cans travel best in checked bags. Use a cap to block accidental sprays in transit.
Mixing Your Own Saline
Home-mixed saline for a neti pot or lens rinse is not a great idea for travel. It is hard to prove what is inside the bottle. Carry sealed retail saline or single-use vials. Your screening will be smoother.
Traveler Checklist You Can Screenshot
| Item | Carry-On | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Saline ≤ 100 ml | In quart bag | One bag per person |
| Medical saline > 100 ml | Allowed when declared | Remove for inspection |
| Any size in checked | Pack to prevent leaks | Bag and pad the bottle |
| Single-use vials | Easy carry | Toss after use |
| Peroxide lens kits | Treat as medical if large | Do not touch eyes with peroxide |
| Sterile water for CPAP | Allowed as medical | Buy after security if needed |
Bottom Line For Saline Flyers
Small bottles ride in the 3-1-1 bag. Larger medical saline rides in carry-on too when you declare it. Any size fits in checked bags. Pack clean, label clearly, and set your kit where you can reach it. With those steps, you will breeze through and land ready for clear eyes and clean gear.