Carry-On Rules, Batteries and Packing Tips
A calmer way to get your camera kit from home to the first location
Start with your airline, not your bag
The most reassuring packing list in the world is no use if your cabin bag breaks your airline's size or weight rules. Before every trip, check the actual operating carrier, including any connecting flights. Pay particular attention to smaller aircraft and regional routes where overhead storage can be limited. A photography bag can look compact while becoming surprisingly heavy once the lenses, batteries and laptop are inside.
My guiding principle: keep essentials close
I treat camera bodies, lenses, memory cards, critical documents and the main backup drive as items I'd rather keep in the cabin whenever the airline allows it. A padded backpack or camera insert helps keep gear separated and easy to inspect. Clothing, spare non-essential accessories and items that can tolerate baggage delays are better candidates for checked luggage. This is a packing strategy, not a guarantee that every airline will accept a particular setup.
The lithium battery rules you need to know in 2026
Spare lithium batteries and power banks belong in cabin baggage, with terminals protected against short circuits. Check the watt-hour (Wh) rating printed on each battery: lithium-ion batteries up to 100 Wh are generally permitted within applicable rules, while batteries above 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh require airline approval and may have additional limits. The Irish Aviation Authority notes that, since 27 March 2026, passengers may carry no more than two power banks. Power banks must not be recharged on board; current safety guidance also advises against using them to charge devices during flight. Airline-specific restrictions may be stricter, so confirm them before travelling.
How to check a power bank capacity
If the case shows only milliamp-hours and voltage, calculate watt-hours as (mAh × V) ÷ 1,000. For example, a 20,000 mAh battery labelled 3.7 V is approximately 74 Wh. Use the manufacturer's marked rating when available, because the voltage and effective capacity can be specified differently. Keep the label legible: airport staff should not have to guess what you're carrying.
What if your camera backpack is gate-checked?
This is one of the most stressful moments of a long travel day. Keep a small removable pouch for spare camera batteries, power banks and other essentials. If your cabin bag is unexpectedly taken into the hold, remove all lithium devices and batteries as instructed by the airline and keep them with you. Make sure you can do that quickly, without emptying a carefully packed bag at the gate.
Packing a camera backpack sensibly
Put heavier items close to your back, protect lenses from knocking together and avoid relying on the outer pockets for anything fragile. Keep passport, wallet and phone accessible without opening the entire camera compartment. For long-haul journeys I like a dedicated little pouch for cables, plugs and adapters. It saves endless rummaging when all you want is to charge something and go to sleep.
Memory cards and backups
Don't keep every copy of your photographs in one bag. A practical field routine is to keep images on the cards until you have at least one verified backup, and ideally more than one copy in separate locations. Check copied folders rather than assuming a progress bar means everything is safe. If a drive is lost or damaged, a second copy can be worth far more than the drive itself.
Security, insurance and border crossings
Allow extra time at security, particularly when travelling with several cameras, a laptop, chargers and multiple batteries. Keep serial numbers and proof of ownership handy if you travel with expensive equipment. Check that your camera insurance covers the countries, activities and professional use involved, and understand any unattended-vehicle exclusions. Some destinations have restrictions on drones, tripods or commercial photography permits.
A simple departure-day checklist
Weigh the packed cabin bag; photograph the contents; check batteries and power bank ratings; protect exposed terminals; charge everything before leaving; back up cards; keep medication and documents in the cabin; and confirm the airline's current baggage guidance. It's not glamorous, but a peaceful airport morning is a pretty decent reward.
What I would never promise
No backpack, camera case or clever packing system can guarantee that a bag will avoid an inspection or a gate-check. Rules can differ by airline, departure airport and destination. Treat this as a practical planning guide and always check the operating carrier's latest restrictions.
See the world a little differently
Small-group photography journeys are about time, light, curiosity and the pleasure of slowing down. If that sounds like your kind of travel, get in touch to learn about upcoming workshops.
Enquire about photography workshopsFurther reading and official information
- www.iaa.ie: supporting reference
- www.iata.org: supporting reference
- www.caa.co.uk: supporting reference
- ICAO: 2026 power-bank rule update
- Amazon Associates policy
Information and access rules can change; check current details before travel.
