Can I bring a butane curling iron on a plane?

The tool itself is allowed, but the butane fuel cartridge is banned from aircraft. Remove the cartridge before flying. An empty cartridge with no fuel may be accepted, but check with your airline.

Do curling irons work in Europe?

US curling irons are typically 110V only and will be damaged or burn out on 220V European outlets. You need a voltage converter, not just a plug adapter, or a dual-voltage model labeled 100-240V.

Does a curling iron go in carry-on or checked bags?

Corded curling irons are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. Carry-on is generally safer for fragile heating elements and easier to access on arrival.

Can I bring a hair straightener on a plane?

Yes — flat irons and hair straighteners follow the same rules as curling irons. Corded versions are allowed anywhere, butane versions require cartridge removal, and battery-powered tools must travel in carry-on.

Can You Bring a Curling Iron on a Plane? Yes, Usually

The answer depends on what type of curling iron you have. Corded curling irons are allowed with no restrictions. Cordless butane-powered curling irons are allowed — but only if you remove the fuel cartridge first. Here is what you need to know.

Corded Curling Irons: Fully Allowed

A standard corded curling iron — the kind you plug into a wall outlet — is permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage on all major airlines worldwide. No restrictions apply to the tool itself. TSA, EASA, and equivalent authorities have no issues with corded styling tools.

The same applies to:

Flat irons and hair straighteners (corded)
Hot brushes and blow-dry brushes (corded)
Wand curlers (corded)
Combination styling tools (corded)

Pack them wherever is most convenient. Most travelers prefer carry-on for fragile electronics, and curling irons are no exception — checked bags get thrown around.

Cordless Butane Curling Irons: Remove the Cartridge

Cordless curling irons that use a butane fuel cartridge — like the Conair Infiniti Pro or the BaByliss Travel Styler — are a special case.

The tool itself: allowed in carry-on and checked bags.

The butane fuel cartridge: banned from aircraft. Butane is a flammable gas, and full cartridges cannot fly. Remove the cartridge before you travel.

Empty cartridges: the rules here vary by airline. Some airlines permit an empty butane cartridge with no fuel remaining; others do not. If you want to travel with the cartridge, call your airline in advance and confirm. The safest option is to buy a replacement cartridge at your destination.

One cartridge for personal use: TSA allows up to one butane or butane/propane mixture cartridge for personal care appliances, in carry-on only, if the cartridge has been emptied. Always check current TSA guidance before you travel, as rules can be updated.

Battery-Powered Styling Tools

Some portable curling tools use small lithium batteries rather than butane. These follow the same rules as all lithium battery-powered devices:

Device in carry-on: allowed
Spare batteries in carry-on: allowed (and required — spare lithium batteries cannot go in checked bags)
Device in checked baggage: allowed if the battery is installed inside the device, but carry-on is preferable

Most battery-powered travel styling tools have very small batteries (typically under 10 Wh) — well within carry-on limits.

Voltage: The Most Common International Travel Mistake

This is where many travelers get into trouble when flying internationally.

Most US-bought curling irons operate at 110–120V only — the North American standard. European outlets, and outlets in most of the rest of the world, supply 220–240V. Plugging a 110V-only appliance into a 220V outlet can destroy the heating element, blow a fuse, or create a fire hazard.

A plug adapter is not enough. A plug adapter only changes the shape of the plug — it does not change the voltage. If your curling iron says "110V" or "120V" on the label near the power cord, you need a voltage converter (also called a voltage transformer), not just an adapter.

Dual-voltage tools are labeled "100-240V" or "110-240V" on the appliance itself (usually near the power cord or on a small label on the handle). These work worldwide with only a plug adapter — no voltage converter required.

Before buying a curling iron for international travel, look for dual-voltage in the specifications. Brands like BaByliss, Remington, and Conair all offer dual-voltage travel models.

Hotels: Many hotel rooms — especially in Europe and Asia — provide hair dryers and sometimes basic styling tools in the bathroom. If you are traveling light, this is worth knowing.

Packing Tips

Let it cool completely before packing. A curling iron that has been in use needs time to cool before it goes into a bag. Rushing this step risks burning your bag liner, your clothes, or yourself.

Use a heat-resistant pouch. Travel heat pouches for styling tools are inexpensive and serve two purposes: they protect your bag from residual heat if you pack before the tool is fully cooled, and they protect the ceramic or tourmaline barrel from contact damage. Many airlines recommend them, and some crew members may ask you to place hot tools in one.

Separate the cord. Wrap the cord loosely and secure it with a velcro tie — tightly coiling a cord around the barrel for storage stresses the cable over time.

Label dual-voltage tools. If you have a dual-voltage curling iron, putting a small label on it ("100-240V OK") saves you from second-guessing at the outlet when you are tired from a long flight.

Summary of Rules by Tool Type

Tool type	Carry-on	Checked bag
Corded curling iron	Allowed	Allowed
Flat iron / straightener (corded)	Allowed	Allowed
Butane curling iron (tool only)	Allowed	Allowed
Butane fuel cartridge (full)	Banned	Banned
Battery-powered styling tool	Allowed	Allowed (battery installed)
Spare lithium batteries	Allowed	Banned