When it comes to traveling with camping equipment, TSA guidelines are accommodating. Most items are permitted on a plane as long as they adhere to the established guidelines. The tent can be taken in a carry-on bag or checked luggage, depending on airline restrictions.
Are you planning to travel and save money by pitching a tent instead of staying in a hotel? Or are you so attached to your camping equipment that you want to bring it with you even when traveling abroad for outdoor adventures? If this is the case, you may be wondering whether you can bring a tent on a plane with you along with other items.
The good news is that you can always fly with the tent if you pack the tent poles, stakes, and pegs in checked luggage. Other camping items that you can bring with you will be discussed later in the article.
Continue reading to learn about the rules for flying with a tent and other gear.
Can you take a tent on a plane?
Yes, you can carry a tent on a plane in checked or carry-on luggage. However, when transporting it in hand luggage, you must check with the airline to ensure the tent fits underneath the seat or in the plane's overhead bin.
You must pack the tent poles and stakes in checked luggage. The main reason for the restriction is that these tent parts can easily be used as weapons posing security threats in the plane.
Also, note that there is a weight limit for hand-on luggage. So, always check with the airline to ensure you do not exceed the limits. Pack it under the plane if it is more than the recommended weight. That way, you will even have more space for other stuff such as books and laptops.
Does a tent have to go as oversized baggage?
The size of your tent will determine whether you should pack it in oversized baggage. Small tents can easily fit in your carry-on luggage or checked bag without being classified as oversized baggage. However, if your tent is too large, such as with a multi-room tent, you may be forced to pack it as oversized baggage, incurring an additional fee.
Are tent pegs allowed on a plane?
Tent pegs are permitted on planes but must be stored in checked luggage. They will be confiscated if placed in a carry-on bag.
Are there any other rules about taking tents on a plane?
Most US airlines allow you to bring a tent in your checked or carry-on luggage. However, if you are transporting it in hand luggage, you must pack it in a bag that meets the airline's baggage guidelines in terms of dimension restriction. Again, prohibited tent materials like spikes, poles, and pegs should be packed in your checked luggage.
Apart from these rules, there are no major restrictions on flying with a tent. However, if you're going camping, here's a list of what else you can and cannot bring on a plane.
Camping gear you can pack for a flight and rules of transporting them
Sleeping bag and pad
Depending on the airline's policies, you can bring a sleeping bag and pad on board as carry-on or checked luggage. Sleeping pads are similar to air mattresses that, with special instructions, can be transported in carry-on luggage. Those with built-in pumps, for example, are allowed in hand luggage, while those without must be packed in checked bags.
Camping stove
Camping stoves are only permitted in hand luggage if they are clean and contain no fuel residue or vapors. It shouldn’t be checked in because it is fragile and easily damaged or bent when thrown around. Other camping cookware such as camping utensils shouldn’t be a problem.
Hiking poles
You cannot bring the hiking poles onto the plane but only carry them in your checked bag.
Flashlights
Flashlights are allowed on a plane, either in a hand's luggage or checked bag.
Firestarter
In hand luggage, you can only bring one refillable lighter or a box of safety matches; they cannot be packed in a checked bag. If you have 'strike-anywhere matches,' you will be unable to transport them on a plane, either as hand luggage or in a checked bag.
Knives
Knives (for camping) are only permitted in checked luggage for safety reasons. They must also be securely wrapped to avoid injuring bag handlers and inspectors. Always double-check the blade size and type restrictions with specific airlines and travel destinations.
Camping gear not allowed onto an airplane
Some of the camping items you can't take on a plane; neither in hand luggage or checked bags, include:
Bear spray
Because bear spray is flammable, it cannot be transported in a carry-on or checked bag. The best option is to buy the item at your destination and leave it behind when you return. Given the cost of the bear spray, consider giving it to another camper/hiker or leaving it in a motel, campground, or range station for others to use.
Stove fuel
This is yet another combustible item that is not permitted on a plane, either in hand luggage or in a checked bag.
Firelighters or fire steel
Firelighters are not allowed on a plane, except refillable types, which can be emptied and cleaned before transporting.
Summary table of flying camping gear
|
Camping gear |
Carry-on luggage |
Checked bags |
Not permitted |
|
Tent |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
Sleeping bag and pad
|
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
Camping stove
|
✓ |
|
|
|
Hiking poles
|
|
✓ |
|
|
Flashlights
|
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
Firestarter
|
✓ |
|
|
|
(camping) knives |
|
✓ |
|
|
Bear spray
|
|
|
✕ |
|
Stove fuel
|
|
|
✕ |
|
Firelighters or fire steel
|
|
|
✕ |
|
strike-anywhere matches' |
|
|
✕ |
Do tents get damaged on planes?
Whether or not your tent is damaged on a plane is determined by where and how it is packed. If you pack it carefully in hand luggage, your tent should be safe until you arrive at your destination. If you pack it in checked luggage, however, anything can happen because the bag will be tossed up and down.
By properly packing the tent, even in checked bags, you can minimize or prevent damage. The following are some helpful tips for keeping your tent intact while being transported by plane.
Tips for protecting your tent in checked luggage
Avoid hanging straps from your backpack
Hanging straps such as waist belts or shoulder straps can easily get caught and ripped off, exposing your tent and other camping gear to damage. Always tighten the shoulder straps and tape other narrow straps onto the bag. Buckle the west belt backward and around the pack and tape it. Another simple way is to put your backpack in a heavy-duty trash bag or large duffel bag.
Wrap your soft suitcase or backpack for added protection
When transporting your camping gear, soft bags are the best choice as they hardly break or crack upon impact. However, wrap the soft suitcase or backpack with luggage wraps for extra protection. Consider wrapping your bags at home as it would cost more to do it at the airport.
Securely wrap sharp objects such as tent poles, pegs, stakes, hiking poles, and blades
If you pack your tent with sharp objects in the checked bag, it can easily get damaged. Use special wrap bags for each sharp item or even towels to wrap tent poles, pegs, stakes, hiking poles, and blades. This not only helps you pass security checks but also ensures the sharp ends won't damage other gear in the bag, such as the tent.
Take safety precautions
Things happen, no matter how hard you try to keep your tent safe in your checked luggage. In any case, it is possible that it will be damaged or that your bag will be lost. Take photos before heading to the airport to prepare for the worst-case scenario. If it becomes misplaced, the photos can assist airport personnel in locating it. Additionally, use a duplicate tag inside the bag to aid in identification if the outside one is ripped off.
Do you have to clean a tent before it goes on a plane?
Whether you're flying with your tent or not, it's important to take care of it. To keep your tent in good condition, always clean and dry it after each camping trip. It is easily torn if dirt or debris is not removed from the tent before packing it for a flight. Furthermore, packaging a wet tent exposes it to mold and mildew, causing it to deteriorate faster.
Transporting a filthy tent with an odor will land you in hot water. If other passengers complain or the flight crew notices you, you may be removed from the plane. To be on the safe side and keep your tent in good condition, always clean and dry it before going to the plane.
Key insights & takeaways
When it comes to traveling with camping equipment, TSA guidelines are accommodating. Most items are permitted on a plane as long as they adhere to the established guidelines. The tent can be taken in a carry-on bag or checked luggage, depending on airline restrictions.
If it's too large such as with an 8 person tent, you'll have to take it underneath the plane. Sharp objects, such as tent poles, stakes, and pegs, should always be checked as they are perceived as security threats.
Ally is a wilderness explorer who has backpacked throughout South America, Iceland, and Europe. He loves sharing his adventures with others at Adventures Pursuit because he believes that everyone should be in the mindset of protecting our planet's beauty as much they can!
