Pleasure Packed: Tips for Smooth Traveling with Your Sex Toys

Traveling can be stressful, especially for those of us who dare to be true to our sexual selves while away from home. We’ve all heard the horror stories from our fellow travelers: rude notes left in their checked luggage by TSA agents, being pulled aside to have their bag searched because of an unrecognizable form or mysterious buzzing in their carryon bag, having to leave behind bottles of expensive lube or, even worse, an expensive toy because they don’t meet TSA guidelines. Whether it’s for vacation or work, traveling with sex toys and the like can be nerve-wracking, so what’s a sexy traveler to do?

Here are tips for ensuring those moments happen less frequently and to make traveling with all of your sexy time gear a much smoother experience.

To Carry-On or To Not Carry-On

You should pack your sex toys and gear in your carry-on bag whenever possible. No one wants nosy security staff handling their precious and sometimes expensive sex toys or to worry about those same toys getting lost. You can buy more clothes if your luggage disappears, but replacing your sex toys while traveling can sometimes be a challenging endeavor. Packing your sex toys in your carry-on bag is asking for trouble, but the chances of having your carry-on bag searched are very slim if you’ve packed it properly.

Now is Not the Time to Play Hide the Dong

Your first instinct might be to hide your sex toys from prying eyes. HOWEVER, burying your toys between layers of clothing or over-stuffing your bag could result in it being pulled for further inspection if the TSA can’t see what items you have in your bag during scanning.

Sometimes, Size Does Matter

When traveling with only a carry-on bag, you should leave any vibrator, dildo, or impact implement over seven inches at home. Checking your luggage if you travel with toys larger than seven inches is a good idea. This goes double for whips, canes, and any BDSM gear that resembles a baton or club, as these items can be considered weapons, and your prized, oversized items could be confiscated. If you do decide to check these items, be sure to write a note and pack it along with your BDSM gear to explain what each item is. It may sound silly, but the TSA can confiscate items from a checked bag if they cannot identify what they are. Don’t take that chance.

Be Kinky and Careful.

Don’t let this deter you from traveling with BDSM gear! There are many things you can pack in your carry-on without a problem. Paddles or implements the size of a ping-pong paddle or smaller, handcuffs, harnesses, and E-Stim machines (e-stim machines are considered medical devices) are all carry-on friendly, but remember, it’s up to each TSA agent's discretion. Call or visit your airline's website or TSA.gov before you fly to ensure your item is allowed.

Lube is a Liquid. 

According to FAA guidelines for carry-on items, liquids and gels 3oz or less must be packed in a see-through quart-size ziptop bag. This includes ALL of your lubes, arousal gels, toy cleaners, and any other potions you may have. Most lubricant companies sell travel-friendly sized bottles, and It’s relatively easy to find these along with foil packets (AKA Pillow packs) of lubes, etc., in sex shops. I prefer to buy pillow packs because they take up less space, so I can bring a wider variety of lubes, massage lotions, and arousal oils. I also purchase toy cleaner wipes instead of liquid. Packing these properly will mean less hassle when going through security.

Buffalo Should Roam Free. Vibrators Should Not.

If you just throw your vibe into your bag, at some point, that free-range vibrator will turn itself on when you least expect it. To avoid moments like this, drain the battery of your favorite rechargeable vibe, or if you’re old school, remove the batteries before packing them up. Luckily, many rechargeable toys are now being made with travel locks. Check your product’s user manual to find out if yours has one.

Keep It Together.

Packing your sex toys, kink gear, and safer sex supplies all together in a zippered pouch or toy bag of some type will add another layer of protection from prying eyes if you do get pulled aside. You can go one step further and individually pack each toy in a see-through mesh or plastic zip-top bag before packing them into the toy bag. Pack condoms, dental dams, and gloves separately in their own smaller zippered pouch and keep inside of the larger toy bag to avoid accidental punctures during travel. These cases and bags keep your toys organized, easy to find, and, above all else, CLEAN!!! Seeing what’s in each bag makes it easier for TSA agents to inspect your items should you be pulled aside.

Know Before You Go.

TSA guidelines constantly change, so checking TSA.gov is always a good idea before packing for a trip. Even with guidelines in place, it’s still up to TSA agents to decide what is okay and what is not. That can vary from airport to airport. What may pass through without a second glance in New York may get more scrutiny in Idaho (A lesson I learned in 2013). If you are unsure if an item will make it through in your carry-on, it’s a good idea to pack it in your checked luggage. That doesn’t mean your item won’t be tampered with or stolen, so leave expensive or irreplaceable items at home or ship them ahead of you if you really need them. It is also a great idea to read up on the laws, rules, and regulations of the place you are visiting, both domestic and international. For instance, having one too many vibrators is illegal in Texas, while simply having an erotic book or magazine can get you into trouble abroad.

No matter how well you pack, there is always a chance that your bag will be searched when you go through a security checkpoint. Should your bag be chosen, be ready to answer questions about any item in your toy bag. Politely inform the TSA agent what bag contains your toys so they aren’t surprised. You can also request that your bag be inspected privately.

With a little preflight prep, research, and organization, traveling with your sex toys can be a stress-free and less embarrassing situation.

Happy, sexy travels to you all!

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