How to Travel With Sex Toys

Using sex toys is one thing. Knowing how to travel with sex toys is another.

Choose your own adventure: You’re traveling for the first time with a brand-new sex toy and going through airport security when your bag is selected for a security screening. Do you:

A. Ditch the bag and buy a whole new wardrobe at your destination (sounds like a good way to trigger a security alert).

B. Confess to the TSA agent that you’ve got a sex toy in your bag.

We hope you went with option B. As intimidating as it may seem to travel with adult toys in a carry-on bag, you’re not the first person to do so. While you shouldn’t be ashamed to pack intimate items that enrich your sex life, there are some ways to reduce the risk of getting “caught.”

Keep reading to find out how to travel with sex toys discreetly, the best sex toys for air travel, and what to do if a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) screener does find your toy. Spoiler alert: Don’t panic.

Yes. According to TSA regulations, flying with adult toys in the U.S. is generally permitted. But there’s a caveat: Whether your sex toy makes it through the checkpoint is up to the TSA officer handling your bag.

Keep in mind that not all countries have the same regulations as the U.S. when it comes to sex toys. Some countries that may not allow you to travel with these personal items include India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Maldives.

If you’re traveling internationally, always check the local laws of your destination country before arriving with a bag full of fun objects.

Sex toys may be permitted on flights, but you still might not want a security agent waving yours around for your fellow passengers to see. The following tips will help you be safe and discreet when traveling with sex toys.

1. Pack Toys in Checked Bags if Possible

If you have checked luggage, put your toys there to avoid any awkward conversations with TSA officers. Checked bags also go through clearance, but usually privately.

Bear in mind you can’t pack sex toys powered by lithium-ion batteries in your checked luggage. Rechargeable toys typically feature this type of battery. If you’re traveling with one, throw it in your carry-on to avoid having your toy confiscated.

2. Bring Travel-Friendly Toys

When it comes to being discreet, smaller is usually better. You may want to leave the 12-inch dildo at home, but a classic bullet vibrator is compact and can easily be passed off as a personal massager.

The best sex toys for travel include:

• Vibrators

• Cock rings

• Butt plugs

• Blindfolds

• Handcuffs

• Toys made of silicone (as opposed to metal or glass)

Some toys may resemble weapons on an X-ray machine, like a metal dildo or BDSM gear (although the TSA does allow handcuffs on flights). It’s best to leave these toys behind or ship them to your destination if you think you’ll miss them too much.

3. Remove Batteries

If you’re traveling with battery-operated toys, remember to remove the batteries before putting them in your bag. This can help you avoid unwanted attention if your toy accidentally turns on and starts buzzing.

If your toy is rechargeable, consider letting its battery run down before you leave. Just don’t forget to bring the charger to power it back up when you arrive at your destination.

Some toys also feature a travel lock to keep the off switch secure until you’re ready to be turned on.

4. Place Toys in a Clear Plastic Bag

There are a couple of reasons why it’s a good idea to put your sex toys in a clear plastic bag.

The first is that if your carry-on luggage gets searched, the security agent will be able to see right away that you’re traveling with sex toys. If you want to be extra, you can even label the bag “Sex Toys” to ensure they get the message.

Another reason to keep your toys in a plastic bag is that it’s hygienic. You don’t want your toy picking up lint or dust from clothes or shoes. And you don’t want a stranger’s hands all over them, either. Sex toys that aren’t properly cleaned can result in unwanted transmission of various pathogens, including bacteria and fungi.

5. Follow Liquid Allowances for Lube

Remember, lube is liquid, just like your toothpaste and shaving cream. If you’re bringing a bottle of lube or toy cleaner in your hand luggage, be sure it’s 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less.

To make the TSA screening process go as quickly and smoothly as possible, keep all liquids in a clear, quart-sized, resealable bag. If you’re bringing a larger bottle of lube, pack it in your checked baggage.

6. Try to Relax

Sweating through your clothes and gripping your bag during check-in will surely draw some unwanted attention. Remember, TSA agents are on the lookout for suspicious behavior, so don’t make yourself an easy target.

After all, you’re not doing anything wrong or unusual. Lots of people have sex toys. A survey from 2022 found that around 82 percent of U.S. women and 74 percent of men admitted to owning a sex toy.

If your bag is selected for a random search, don’t panic. According to the TSA, you can request a private screening if you’re afraid of strangers seeing your most intimate items out in the open.

But, again, you have nothing to hide. Sex toys have been used for centuries, and their benefits are backed by science. These benefits include:

• Enhanced sexual pleasure

• Increased sexual experimentation

• Decreased stress

• Better connection with your partner

• Improved sexual performance (even for those with sexual dysfunctions)

We don’t suggest giving a PowerPoint on sex toy benefits to TSA agents. Still, understanding these benefits should ease concerns that you’re doing anything abnormal.

Traveling with sex toys doesn’t have to be a hassle. If you’re taking a new toy on vacation, remember these tips about how to travel with sex toys:

• Flying with adult toys in the U.S. is generally permitted. However, whether your sex toy makes it through the checkpoint is up to the TSA agent handling your bag. Keep in mind that sex toys aren’t legal in all countries. Check local laws if you’re unsure.

• There are ways to be discreet when traveling with sex toys. Consider packing your toys in checked luggage, bringing smaller toys on your trip, removing batteries to prevent unwanted buzzing, and following TSA liquid allowances for lube.

• If your bag gets searched, don’t panic. You’re not the first person to travel with sex toys, and you won’t be the last. If your bag gets checked, shrug it off.

In the market for a new sex toy? Our collection of sexual health products includes vibrators, prostate massagers, condoms, lube, and prescription medication for sexual health issues like erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE).

Want more tips on how to enhance your sex life? Explore the best sex toys for ED, find out how to use a prostate massager, and learn how men can use vibrators during sex too.