Camping has a rhythm of its own: packing, planning, and getting ready to spend time outside. For many travellers, the camping trip begins long before the first campsite sign hits the horizon. It starts at home: laying out gear on the floor and imagining quiet mornings, evening campfires and hours spent outside.
When flying to your next camping destination, knowing how camping gear travels through airport security helps start the trip on a calm and confident note. A little planning helps make sure everything – gear included – is ready for the campsite.
Camping gear
Tents
Your tent is often the heart of your campsite, and it travels well when packed in pieces.
Your tent can travel in your carry-on, as long as it meets your airline’s size restrictions. However, tent stakes and most tent poles must be packed in your checked baggage. Because pole materials and designs can vary, it’s a good idea to confirm with your airline ahead of time helps ensure everything arrives ready for set-up on camping day.
Hiking poles and paddles made for the outdoors
Hiking poles, walking sticks, and paddles can all be part of your outdoor gear. When it comes to flying, these items appreciate a bit of careful planning.
Collapsible, foldable or retractable hiking or walking sticks can travel with you if they have pointed or sharp ends measuring less than 6 cm. Otherwise, they must be packed in your checked baggage with other large outdoor gear.
Paddles and oars can travel in your carry-on if they’re collapsible, foldable, or retractable for kayaking or canoeing. If they aren’t, they should be packed in your checked baggage.
Axes
Camping tools like axes are essential for the outdoors once your campsite is set. Make sure they’re packed in your checked baggage, where they can travel securely and appear right on time when it’s time to set up camp.
Food and cooking gear
Food is a part of every camping trip, from snacks to that first meal by the fire. When flying, most camp food and gear travels easily with a little bit of planning.
Food and drink
Solid foods like granola bars, trail mix, crackers, fruit and dry camping meals are usually simple to pack and can go in carry-on or checked bags. They’re lightweight, familiar, and ready when you arrive.
Items with a spreadable or pourable texture like sauces, oils, butters and soups belong in the liquids or gels categories. If packed in your carry-on, these items must be in clear 100 mL containers that all fit into a 1L resealable plastic bag. Larger containers can come with you but belong in checked baggage.
Cooking gear
Clean camp stoves, lanterns, and cooking gear can travel with you, but anything designed to hold fuel must be thoroughly cleaned and free of residue.
Requirements can vary by airline, so it’s a good idea to confirm with the airline before you travel.
Many campers choose a simple solution: fly with clean, empty tanks and pick up fuel after landing. It’s one less thing to carry – and one more way to keep the trip easy.
Use CATSA tools from checkpoint to campfire
Travelling with camping gear doesn’t have to complicate your journey. With a bit of thoughtful packing and a sense of where items belong, you can breeze through airport security and get to the campfire sooner.
Before your next trip, a quick visit to our website can help you double-check camping gear, food, and liquids using our What Can I Bring? tool and keep everything organized using our Travel checklist.