Travelling Abroad with Your Vape: The Essential 2025 Guide for UK Vapers

Welcome to the Make My Vape travel guide for vapers. Whether you are jetting off on a weekend getaway or planning a long holiday abroad, travelling with your vape in the United Kingdom takes a bit of preparation. It is not always as simple as popping your vape into your bag and heading to the airport. Airlines, airports and different countries all have their own rules and failing to follow them could mean your vape or e-liquid gets confiscated, you face a hefty fine or in some places even more serious consequences.

That is why we have created this easy to follow 2025 guide especially for UK vapers. We will explain how to pack your vape safely, how much e-liquid you can take, where you can and can not vape and which countries have banned vaping completely. At Make My Vape, we want to make sure you can enjoy vaping with peace of mind, wherever you are travelling.

From June 2025, disposable vapes have been banned in the UK to help tackle youth vaping and reduce waste. This means if you are travelling abroad, you will need a reusable vape kit, as disposables are no longer legally available. For more information you can view our disposable vape ban blog here.

When it comes to flying, UK airports generally have the same basic rules. You can bring your vape on the plane, but it must be in your hand luggage. You cannot pack vapes or spare batteries in checked luggage because of the fire risk. E-liquids are treated like any other liquid, so they must follow the 100ml limit and fit inside a clear, resealable plastic bag that holds no more than one litre in total. Always make sure the lids on your bottles are screwed on tightly before you go through security to avoid leaks.

Packing your vape properly is not only about following the rules, it is also about keeping your device safe and avoiding messy leaks. A little preparation before you travel will make the whole journey easier.

For your vape device and batteries, switch your vape off completely rather than relying on sleep mode. Most vapes can be turned off with five quick clicks, but if you are not sure, check the user manual. If you use spare batteries such as 18650s, keep them in a proper protective case so they do not short circuit. Remember, all vape devices and batteries must go in your hand luggage, never in the hold.

When it comes to tanks and e-liquids, it is best to empty your tank or pod before you fly. Changes in cabin pressure often cause leaks and nobody wants e-liquid all over their clothes or electronics before they have even started their holiday! Put any e-liquids you are taking in a clear resealable bag, making sure each bottle is 100 millilitres or smaller. If you are taking extra bottles in your checked luggage, wrap them carefully to prevent spills.

Most UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham do not allow vaping indoors. Many have designated outdoor vaping areas, but they are often located next to smoking zones. Once you are through security, it is safest to assume that vaping is not allowed unless you see clear signs for a designated vaping space.

Vaping on a plane is never allowed. It might be tempting to try a quick stealth vape, but it is not worth the risk. Aircrafts have smoke detectors and being caught can lead to fines of up to £5,000 or even a flight ban. Charging your vape on board is also not allowed, so make sure your device is fully charged before you fly. If you are worried about cravings on a long flight, pack some nicotine gum or pouches as a backup. Some airlines even sell nicotine pouches during the flight, but check your destination’s laws before using them.

Most UK airlines are fine with you taking enough e-liquid for personal use. A good rule of thumb is to keep all bottles in your hand luggage at 100 millilitres or less, even if the bottle is only half full. All your liquids must fit inside one one litre clear resealable bag.
You can pack spare e-liquids into your checked luggage, just make sure you e-liquids are secured in a sealed bag to avoid leakage. Never put your vape device in checked luggage.

If you are a mouth to lung vaper who uses lots of small 10ml bottles, you can save space by decanting them into a single 60ml or 100ml bottle. Another option is to take longfill bottles. Fill up your longfill with your Make My Vape bundles prior to the flight and this way you can save carrying 6 single 10ml bottles, which are more travel friendly. Do not worry too much if you feel you have not packed enough, as many popular destinations have vape shops where you can stock up, but please research rules and regulations before entering your destination.

• Oxva Nexlim Pod Kit - Simple to use. 2ml pod system. 1500mAh rechargeable battery. Space Pods.
• Vaporesso Xros Cube Pod Kit - Simple to use. 2ml pod system. 900mAh rechargeable battery. Space Pods.
• Vaporesso Xros Pod Kit - Simple to use. 2ml pod system. 1200mAh rechargeable battery. Space Pods.
• Golisi - G30 18650 Batteries - If your device requires an external battery, and you need to take abroad, the Golisi G30 is the perfect battery for safety and comes with a secure battery case.
• 10ml Nicotine Salt E-liquid - Simple and easy to carry. Will fit in hand luggage and in sealed 100ml or less bags at check in
• 60ml Longfill E-liquids - Purchase a longfill and prefill your Nicotine & base prior arriving at the airport. This will save you carrying multiple single bottles and still staying within in the legal 100ml limit.
  

This is where things can get a little tricky. Some countries are fine with vaping as long as you follow their rules, while others have strict bans.

Most European holiday spots such as Spain, France, Italy and Greece allow vaping but have restrictions. These countries usually follow EU rules, which means nicotine strength is capped at 20 milligrams per millilitre and vaping indoors is restricted. Canada also allows vaping but has a similar nicotine cap. In the United States, vaping is legal for adults over 21, but each state has its own rules on where you can vape. Dubai and the UAE allow vaping with restrictions and an age limit of 18. So please  ensure you research your destination to understand the vaping law and avoid being  potentially prosecuted.

Countries Where Vaping is Legal (with restrictions)

These are popular UK destinations where you can bring your vape. These countries generally follow the EU Tobacco Products Directive, limiting nicotine to 20 mg/ml, banning advertising and restricting use in enclosed public spaces:

Europe

• Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

North America

• Canada: Vaping is Legal, but nicotine e-liquids capped at 20 mg/ml. Indoor regulations vary.

• United States: Legal federally for 21+, but states / localities restrict indoor use similar to smoking

Asia & Middle East

• UAE (Dubai, etc.): Legal nicotine limit applies. Minimum age to purchase or use a vape is 18 years old.

• Israel, Malaysia (nicotine-free sold over the counter; nicotine by prescription), Turkey (legal to use personal devices; no sales)

• Bahrain & Uzbekistan: Legal, Minimum age to purchase or use a vape is 18/21 years old.

Other

• South Africa: Legal to use, but total indoor bans and fines. 

• Maldives: Legal for adults, but heavy penalties for sales, importation and public use. Age limits rising to 21

Countries Where Vaping is BANNED (Do NOT Bring Your Vape)

However, some countries have banned vaping completely. If you are caught with a vape in these places, it can be confiscated and you might face heavy fines or even prison. Countries with full bans include Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Thailand, Mexico, Qatar and several others. Always check the latest laws for your destination before you travel.

Please do your own research before visiting any countries and abide by the law.

Always carry your vape and e-liquids in your hand luggage and never in your checked bags. Empty your tank before flying to avoid leaks. Bring spare coils, pods and a fully charged device. Research your destination’s vaping laws in advance so you do not risk fines or confiscation. Pack nicotine gum or pouches for long flights or trips to countries where vaping is banned. When charging your device abroad, please ensure you have the correct compatible plug that is AMP rated for your device. 

Travelling with your vape in 2025 is simple if you plan ahead. Stick to a reusable, rechargeable  kit, pack carefully and respect the laws of the country you are visiting. If you are ever unsure, it is safer to leave your vape at home and use alternatives during your trip.

Be considerate when vaping in another country. Use your vape privately if you can and always check for no smoking notices to avoid any issues. If you need to pick up extra supplies while you are away, only buy from reliable sources (do your research prior your trip), as fake and low & quality products are easy to come across.

Important: This guide is meant to give you a general overview, but vaping laws can change quickly. Always double check the latest rules with local authorities or tourist information before you travel.