ASKTRAVEL.ORG

Yes, in carry-on only, never in checked luggage. Limit 100 watt-hours (approx 27,000 mAh). Over 100Wh requires airline approval. Under 100Wh (most power banks): allowed in carry-on, no approval needed 100-160Wh: airline approval required (rare for consumer power banks) Over 160Wh: banned Must show capacity label (in Wh or mAh) — no label may be confiscated Loose batteries: terminals must be protected (tape over contacts or in original packaging) Official resource: faa.gov As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shop on Amazon:  Airline approved power bank

Yes, solid makeup (powder, eyeshadow, lipstick) has no limit. Liquid makeup (foundation, concealer, liquid lipstick) must follow 3-1-1 rule (3.4 oz or less per container). Powder makeup: loose powder over 12 oz may need extra screening Liquid foundation, primer, concealer: 3.4 oz max per container, all fit in one quart-sized bag Lipstick, lip balm (solid): no restriction Makeup remover wipes: allowed (not a liquid) Nail polish: allowed (3.4 oz limit, counts as liquid) As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shop on Amazon:  TSA approved makeup bag

Yes, frozen food is allowed through TSA as long as it is completely frozen solid. Partially melted or slushy items follow liquid rules (3-1-1). Frozen solid: ice packs, frozen meals, frozen meat — allowed in carry-on Partially melted: treated as liquid (must be 3.4 oz or less) Dry ice: up to 5.5 lbs allowed for non-hazardous items (must be ventilated) Gel ice packs: allowed if frozen solid; if melted, subject to 3-1-1 Official resource: tsa.gov As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shop on Amazon:  Portable freezer bag

Yes, at standard TSA security, laptops must be removed from bags and placed in a separate bin. TSA PreCheck members can leave laptops inside. Standard lane: laptop out, nothing on top or below it in the bin TSA PreCheck: laptop stays in bag (check your boarding pass for TSA Pre indicator) Tablets (iPad, Kindle): usually can stay in bag unless officer asks otherwise Global Entry: includes TSA PreCheck benefits As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shop on Amazon: TSA approved laptop bag

Yes, one disposable or Zippo-style lighter is allowed in carry-on. Torch lighters (blue flame) are banned in both carry-on and checked bags. Disposable lighters (Bic): one allowed in carry-on, not in checked bag Zippo (no fuel): allowed in carry-on (empty is safer) Torch/blue flame lighters: completely banned (even empty) Matches: one book of safety matches allowed in carry-on Strike-anywhere matches: banned As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shop on Amazon:  Travel lighter case

Yes, standard bed pillows and travel neck pillows are allowed. Memory foam or gel pillows are also fine. Neck pillow: considered personal item or medical device (not counted toward limit at most airlines) Full-size bed pillow: counts as personal item or carry-on depending on size Pillow with built-in electronics (heated, massage): follows battery rules (carry-on only) Stuffing pillows with clothes? Not recommended - TSA may need to inspect As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shop on Amazon: Travel Neck Pillow

Rarely, multitools with knives (any blade length) are banned in carry-on. Blade-less multitools may be allowed at agent discretion. Any blade = no carry-on (check it or leave at home) Leatherman with knife, Swiss Army Knife with blade: checked bag only Blade-less multitool (pliers, screwdrivers, scissors only): sometimes allowed, but risky Small scissors (blades under 4 inches from pivot): allowed Official resource: tsa.gov As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shop on Amazon:  Travel multitool (no blade)

Yes, solid wax candles are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. Gel candles and candles with metal wicks are also fine. Standard wax candle: no size limit for carry-on (TSA does not restrict) Multiple candles: fine, but may trigger additional screening Candle in glass jar: allowed, but glass can break (pack carefully) Lighter to light it? One book of safety matches or one disposable lighter allowed Official resource: tsa.gov

Yes, small seashells in carry-on or checked bag are fine. Large shells or shells from protected species may be confiscated. Small shells (sand dollars, scallops, clams): allowed Large conch shells, giant clam shells: may violate wildlife laws (CITES protected) Shells with sand inside: shake out before packing (sand can look suspicious on X-ray) Coral, turtle shells, starfish: illegal to transport without permit in most countries As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Find this on Amazon: Seashell travel case

Yes, in carry-on or checked bag. Small collapsible umbrellas are fine; umbrella with pointed metal tip may get extra screening. Collapsible umbrella: fits in bag or outside pocket, no issues Full-size walking umbrella: allowed but may be inspected (possible weapon shape) Umbrella with built-in knife or selfie stick: confiscated Wet umbrella: place in plastic bag before going through security Official resource: tsa.gov As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shop on Amazon:  Windproof Travel Umbrella

Yes, if it fits under the seat (typically 18" x 14" x 8"). Larger backpacks count as carry-on. Standard personal item size: small backpack, daypack, or kids' backpack Packed full: even a small backpack becomes too large if overstuffed Hiking backpack (40L+): must go in overhead bin as carry-on or be checked Budget airlines (Spirit, Frontier, Ryanair): strict sizers at gate - measure before flying As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Find this on Amazon: Small museum backpack

No. VPNs are banned or restricted in China, Russia, Belarus, Iran, Pakistan, and others. Legal and unrestricted in US, Europe, Japan, and Australia. Updated: June 2026 China: illegal without government approval, most Western VPNs blocked by Great Firewall Russia: VPNs that bypass state blocking banned since 2021 Pakistan: not criminal for individuals but national firewall actively blocks most VPNs using Deep Packet Inspection Iran: effectively banned, government blocks VPN services at ISP level UAE and Kuwait: legal but using VPN to access blocked services (VoIP, dating apps) is illegal Qatar and Bahrain: legal but content regulation is strict, accessing blocked content carries legal risk Bangladesh: legal but government has shut down internet and blocked social media platforms repeatedly US, Europe, Japan, Australia: completely legal, no restrictions Traveling soon? See our Travel Essentials page. Want a deeper dive? ↓ Detailed Answer How It Works A VPN (Virtual P...

Sometimes, flights rarely discount 6 months out (best prices 2-3 months for domestic, 3-5 months for international). Hotels may offer early bird rates. Flights: 6 months early is too early for most routes (airlines haven't released cheapest fares) Hotels: some offer "advance purchase" rates 30-50% off (non-refundable) Cruises: best prices 9-12 months out (wave season Jan-Mar) Rental cars: no benefit booking 6 months early

Yes, most airlines allow wedding dresses as carry-on (counts as your personal item or carry-on depending on size). Garment bag: fits in overhead bin on most planes Hang in closet: ask flight attendant - first class has small closet, economy may accommodate Backup plan: buy an extra seat for the dress (price of one ticket) Never check wedding dress: lost luggage risk too high As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Find this on Amazon: Wedding dress garment bag

No, award seats are limited. Airlines release only a few seats per flight at the lowest mileage level. Saver awards: limited seats, book 11 months out or last minute Every seat is bookable with miles if you pay "anytime" award rates (2-5x more miles) Partner airlines: even more limited availability Best strategy: flexible dates, book early, check multiple airports

Yes, if you have travel insurance with "trip interruption" coverage and a doctor certifies you cannot continue travel. Medical emergency: insurance covers unused trip costs + return flight home Pre-existing conditions: only covered if you bought waiver within 14-21 days of booking Documentation: doctor's note, hospital records, insurance claim form Without insurance: airlines may offer flight change fee waiver, but no refund

Yes, portable chargers (power banks) are allowed on planes, trains, buses, and cruise ships. Limit 100Wh (approx 27,000 mAh) on flights. Planes: carry-on only, no checked luggage Trains (Amtrak): allowed in carry-on Buses (Greyhound, Megabus): allowed Cruises: allowed, but some lines restrict large banks (over 20,000 mAh) Labeling: charger must show capacity in Wh or mAh As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Find this on Amazon: Portable charger

No, library cards are city or county specific. Some states have reciprocal borrowing agreements, but internationally no. Same state, different city: sometimes allowed (e.g., all NYC libraries share, California has some reciprocity) US nationwide: no - you need a card for each library system Europe, Asia: no international borrowing Digital libraries (Libby, Hoopla): tied to home library card, accessible anywhere online

Yes, most major cities worldwide have "free walking tours" (tip-based). Guides work for tips, not salary. Europe: Sandemans, GuruWalk, Freetour - in every major city US: Free Tours by Foot (NYC, Chicago, DC, New Orleans) Asia, South America: tip-based tours common in tourist hubs Tip etiquette: $10-20 USD per person (or local equivalent) for 2-3 hour tour Booking: reserve online, spots fill up in high season

No, amusement parks ban GoPros on roller coasters and thrill rides (loose item policies). Water rides may allow with waterproof case. Disney, Universal, Six Flags: no loose items on coasters (including GoPros) Head mount or wrist mount: still considered loose item by many parks Water parks: GoPro allowed with floaty handle or chest mount Slow rides (Ferris wheel, train, carousel): usually fine As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Find this on Amazon: GoPro mount

Yes, AAA has reciprocal agreements with automobile clubs in 80+ countries. Use for roadside assistance, maps, and some hotel discounts. Roadside assistance: call number on your AAA card for local partner (e.g., CAA in Canada, AA in UK) Hotel discounts: some international hotels honor AAA rate (less common than US) Maps and tour books: free at AAA offices (limited international stock) Not valid for towing outside US/Canada - but they'll arrange and bill you

Yes, many countries offer senior discounts starting at age 60, 62, or 65 (varies by country and attraction). Europe: museums, trains, buses often discount for 60+ (bring passport for age proof) US National Parks: Senior Pass (80 lifetime or 20 annual) for 62+ 80 l i f e t i m e , o r 20 annual) for 62+ Amtrak: 10% off for 65+ Japan: senior discounts at temples, museums, some trains (65+ or 70+) Always ask: "Is there a senior discount?" many places don't advertise

Mostly yes, public parks allow picnics. Private gardens, historic estates, and some national parks restrict food to designated areas. Public city parks (Central Park, Hyde Park, Tiergarten): picnics welcome US National Parks: picnics allowed in designated areas, not on trails European castle gardens (Versailles, Schönbrunn): eating on grass often banned Always pack out trash: fines for littering in most countries

Only if your gym is part of a global network (Anytime Fitness, Fitness First, Planet Fitness limited locations). Most local gyms don't honor memberships abroad. Anytime Fitness: key fob works at 4,000+ locations worldwide Fitness First: works in UK, Australia, Asia, Germany Gold's Gym, Equinox, LA Fitness: no international reciprocity Day passes: $10-20 at most gyms worldwide

Yes, almost every city has a tourist information office (often at train stations or city center) with free paper maps. Europe: tourist offices give free city maps, transit maps, sometimes coupons US: visitor centers at airports and downtown offer free maps Hotels, hostels, Airbnb hosts: often have spare maps at front desk Download offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me ) as backup

Yes, but many museums require large backpacks to be checked into lockers or coat check (free or small fee). Small backpacks (under 12" x 12"): usually allowed on your back or chest Large hiking backpacks: must be checked (Louvre, British Museum, Met) Backpack worn on back in crowded galleries: discouraged (risk of bumping art) Wear on front or carry by hand in fragile areas As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Find this on Amazon: Small museum backpack

Yes, but ISIC (International Student Identity Card) is accepted more widely than your university ID abroad. ISIC card: accepted in 130+ countries for museums, trains, attractions Local student ID: works in your home country, less accepted internationally Digital proof: some places accept photo of student ID or enrollment letter Age matters: under 26 often qualifies for youth discounts even without student ID Official resource: isic.org

Yes, basic first aid (bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers) is allowed everywhere. Narcotics and syringes have restrictions. Carry-on and checked: basic kit fine Needles/syringes (for medication): allowed with prescription Tweezers, scissors (blades under 4 inches): allowed Liquid medications (Betadine, antiseptic): follow 3-1-1 rule or declare As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Find this on Amazon: Travel first aid kit

Yes, Netflix works worldwide, but the library changes by country. You may not find your favorite shows. Log in normally: same account, same password Content varies: US Netflix has different movies than UK or Japan Netflix Download for offline: works only if you download before leaving home country VPN to access home library: violates Netflix terms and often fails

No, only at airports in countries with VAT/GST refund systems (most of Europe, Japan, South Korea). US has no VAT refund. Europe: look for "Tax Free Shopping" or "Global Blue" kiosks before check-in Japan: 10% consumption tax refund at airport or participating stores Canada: no VAT refund for tourists (ended 2007) Australia: TRS (Tourist Refund Scheme) - keep receipts, claim at airport

Yes, Costco membership works at all Costco locations worldwide (US, Canada, UK, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, etc.). Show physical card or Costco app on phone Payment: Costco US Visa works only at US warehouses (international accepts local cards or cash) Food courts: open to members (and sometimes non-members) internationally Gas stations: member-only outside US as well

Yes, many countries encourage it, and some (UK, EU states, Canada) charge fees for plastic bags. Reusable bags are welcome everywhere. Plastic bag bans: Kenya, Rwanda, New Zealand, several US states (CA, NY, NJ) Reusable tote: fine at grocery stores, markets, souvenir shops Store-specific bags (Trader Joe's, IKEA): fine to use anywhere, no one cares Some markets (Italy, France) may expect you to bring your own bag  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Find this on Amazon:  Reusable shopping bag

Rarely free, but some countries give SIM cards free at airport vending machines or tourist kiosks (you pay for credit/data). UK: free SIM from vendors at Heathrow, Gatwick (EE, Vodafone, O2) pay for £10-20 top-up Thailand: free SIM for tourists at BKK airport (TrueMove, AIS) with data package purchase Turkey: free SIM with certain tour packages, otherwise $5-10 Japan, South Korea: no free SIMs - buy at airport or rent pocket WiFi As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Find this on Amazon: International SIM card

No, Uber operates at most major airports but some (PDX, LGA certain terminals, some European airports) restrict ride-sharing to designated zones or ban them. US airports: almost all have Uber pickup zones (follow signs) Europe: allowed at major airports (LHR, CDG, FCO) but may cost more than taxis Japan: Uber only in Tokyo and a few cities, not at all airports Australia, Middle East: Uber available at major airports Traveling soon? See our Travel Essentials page. Want a deeper dive? ↓ Detailed Answer How It Works Uber is available at most major airports worldwide but availability and pickup rules vary significantly by location. In the US, nearly every large airport has a designated rideshare pickup zone. These are separate from taxi ranks and are usually signposted as "Rideshare" or "App-Based Rides." You follow the signs, confirm your pickup point in the app, and wait for your driver there. Outside the US it gets more complicated. Some cities rest...

No. Safe in US, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, Australia. Unsafe in much of Mexico, Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and the Middle East. Safe: USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, New Zealand Not safe: Mexico, India, Egypt, Kenya, Vietnam, Philippines, Dominican Republic Middle East: not safe even in Dubai and Abu Dhabi due to building tank contamination Ice cubes: same risk as tap water in unsafe countries Brushing teeth: use bottled water in unsafe countries Official resource: CDC Water Safety for Travelers Traveling soon? See our Travel Essentials page. Want a deeper dive? ↓ Detailed Answer How It Works Water safety depends on how a country treats and delivers its water. Developed nations use chlorination, filtration, and regular testing. Developing nations often lack consistent treatment or have aging pipes that allow contamination after water leaves the treatment plant. Your body's immunity also matters. Local residents may have built ...

Yes, but you need a plug adapter (different outlet shape) and possibly a voltage converter if your device isn't dual voltage. Most phones, laptops, tablets: dual voltage (100-240V) - only need plug adapter Hair dryers, straighteners: often single voltage (110V) - need converter or burn out USB chargers: almost all dual voltage, just change the plug Adapter kit: $10-20 on Amazon works for 150+ countries As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Find this on Amazon: Universal travel adapter A Complete 2026 Guide The short answer is: almost certainly yes, but with one small catch. Most modern phone chargers are dual voltage, meaning they work from New York to New Delhi without a heavy power converter. What you actually need is a simple plug adapter - a tiny, cheap device that changes the shape of your plug to fit the wall outlet. However, there are important exceptions. Some older devices, hair tools, and cheap electronics are single voltage. Plug a 110V-only device i...