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You're probably familiar with the situation: you're going on vacation and want to take a hookah with you. But what do you need to be aware of, what is allowed and where should you be more careful?
To make sure you don't have any problems, here are a few tips, tricks and tips to help you enjoy your hookah while on vacation.
In general, there is a lot to consider when traveling with a hookah, if you are not careful, you will either arrive with a broken hookah or with a lack of equipment, so read the tips and tricks carefully and pack your suitcase or bag wisely.
In general, it can be said that most items can be transported on an airplane without any problems. Tobacco, bowls, HMDs, stainless steel hookahs, glasses - all no problem. However, you need to pay attention to how and where you pack these items, but more on this in the next section.
Now we come to the products that you should leave at home, including:
Many of these items are either completely prohibited (e.g. gas cartridges on airplanes) or can lead to discussions at the airport. It should be noted that in some cases punches can also be considered weapons in hand luggage, so do not carry any sharp objects in your hand luggage or pack them in your checked baggage.
Hookah charcoal is a special case, but here you must also distinguish between self-igniting charcoal and natural charcoal.
Self-igniting charcoal contains, among other things, fire accelerants such as black powder, so you should not pack it in your hand luggage or checked baggage.
Natural charcoal, on the other hand, can usually be transported on airplanes without any problems. However, you should check with the airline beforehand or ask the airport staff directly. It is advisable to pack it in your checked baggage, as it weighs a little more and is easier to stow there.
If you want to play it completely safe, check whether there is a local hookah store before you set off on your vacation. In most cases, you will also find natural charcoal there, especially in the tourist regions, where you can even find well-known brands of charcoal.
There are strict regulations on this subject, which should be observed in any case, otherwise you may be fined by customs! You can remember the following to take tobacco with you on vacation without any problems or to take tobacco bought on vacation home with you:
The maximum amount is 1 kilogram per person. The prerequisite is that you are over 17 years old.
The maximum permitted quantity from non-EU countries is 250 Gramms per person. The prerequisite is that you are over 17 years old.
However, if you want to take more tobacco with you, this is not a problem. In this case, you should declare the tobacco to customs at the airport of arrival. To do this, simply go through the red exit (goods to be declared) and present your tobacco to the customs staff. It is advisable to bring the proof of purchase of the tobacco with you, as the price of the tobacco will otherwise be estimated by customs.
However, this is only really necessary if you exceed the permitted quantities.
However, it is generally advisable to use so-called travel pipes or travel hookahs on vacation, as they are small and practical. You can stow them in your hand luggage or checked baggage without hesitation and you can even take them to festivals where glass is prohibited, for example.
As you have already learned, it is less practical to take a gas lighter with you, so it is better to pack your electric charcoal burner from home. To save space, you can also use smaller versions. Although this offers significantly less space for charcoal, it is definitely more practical for transportation.
The question of where best to store the various items is one that concerns many people before they go on vacation.
The best thing to remember here is the following:
You can stow all items, including tobacco, charcoal, charcoal burner and the water pipe itself, in your checked baggage. The weight and space in hand luggage is usually not completely sufficient and some products, such as heavy stainless steel smoking columns, can lead to discussions at the airport security checkpoint.
However, it is advisable to carry items such as the hookah glass (if you have to take a hookah with a glass) or the bowls well padded in your hand luggage, as these are either placed directly next to you or in the storage space above the seats. Here too, however, it is best to ask the airport staff whether these products are permitted in your hand luggage by your airline.
To protect your hookah or accessories, there are a few simple tips and tricks to ensure that nothing gets broken or scratched.
Yes, a hookah can be transported on a plane without any issues. However, it is advisable to pack it securely in checked luggage to avoid space problems in carry-on luggage. Individual parts such as the glass base or bowls should be padded and transported in carry-on luggage.
Most hookah items such as tobacco, bowls, HMDs, stainless steel hookahs, and glass bases can be transported without any issues. However, it is important to pack them securely and, if necessary, store them in checked luggage.
Gas lighters, large amounts of tobacco, sharp and heavy objects in carry-on luggage, as well as self-igniting hookah charcoal, are not allowed. Natural charcoal can usually be taken along but should be checked with the airline beforehand.
Self-igniting charcoal is not allowed due to the accelerants it contains. Natural charcoal can usually be transported in checked luggage. However, it is advisable to check with the airline or airport staff beforehand.
Within the EU, up to 1 kg of tobacco per person is allowed. From non-EU countries, a maximum of 250 g per person can be brought in. Larger quantities must be declared at customs.
Compact travel hookahs are particularly practical as they take up little space and are easy to transport. Models without a glass base can even be used at festivals.
Heavy parts such as stems, charcoal, and tobacco belong in checked luggage. Fragile parts such as glass bases or bowls should be well-padded and transported in carry-on luggage.
The best way to protect your hookah is by wrapping it in towels or t-shirts to avoid scratches. A separate bag for accessories or a sturdy hard-shell case provides additional protection.
Yes, in most tourist regions, there are hookah shops where you can buy natural charcoal, tobacco, and other accessories. A quick search beforehand is worthwhile.
The best approach is to check directly with the airline or airport staff. This way, you can avoid problems at the security checkpoint.
If you have any further questions about hookahs on airplanes, please send our team a message. We can certainly help you further.
updated: August 25, 2023
