Packing disposable contacts in checked luggage

May 7, 2022 1:24 PM

Hi. I’m flying from Indy to New Orleans, with one layover. If I pack disposable contacts in my checked bag, how likely are they to burst open because of lack of pressure? Anyone have any experience with this? I’m trying to minimize liquids in my carry on because I think I’ll run out of room there. Thank you!
posted by bluespark25 to Travel & Transportation (13 answers total)

i've done this 1000 times with no trouble. you should be fine.
posted by capnsue at 1:32 PM on May 7, 2022 [7 favorites]

I always pack the bulk of my disposable contacts in my checked luggage and have never had any burst open. I pack them in a small bag or in their original box, I don't leave them loose inside the luggage. (I do suggest packing backups in your carry-on.)
posted by sm1tten at 1:32 PM on May 7, 2022 [2 favorites]

Checked bags are at the same pressure as the passenger cabin -- if the contacts won't burst open in your carry-on, they won't burst in your checked luggage.
posted by phliar at 1:38 PM on May 7, 2022 [3 favorites]

(If you wanted your contacts with you, because they are a medical item they are outside of the 1 quart rule)
posted by raccoon409 at 1:46 PM on May 7, 2022 [2 favorites]

I've also carried these in my carry on, not in my liquids bag HUNDREDS of time and never had anyone suggest it needed to be in there! Also in my checked bag, never had an issue.
posted by jennybento at 2:46 PM on May 7, 2022 [1 favorite]

Same as others, I've done this many times with zero issues. Unopened disposable contacts (still in the little plastic things with a foil top) will not leak at all. I've also traveled with contacts in a regular contact case in checked luggage - those occasionally leak a tiny bit of solution due to the pressure difference, but not much and they certainly don't explode.
posted by photo guy at 2:58 PM on May 7, 2022

Forgot to add - I think the leakage is due to pressure change of going up/down, as the baggage compartment is the same pressure as the passenger cabin. Like I said it's never been an issue though.
posted by photo guy at 3:01 PM on May 7, 2022

FWIW I've never had bursting, but I have had checked bags get lost on the way, and have heard enough second-hand stories of items stolen or otherwise not in the bag upon arrival that I try not to check anything I can't afford to lose or have to wait for.
posted by trig at 3:07 PM on May 7, 2022 [3 favorites]

I often carry a full-size bottle of lens solution in my hand luggage when I'm out of/don't feel like buying little bottles. It's a medical liquid, TSA has no choice but to test it and then bite my shiny metal ass. (Also my contact lenses have never burst.)
posted by cyndigo at 4:42 PM on May 7, 2022 [1 favorite]

I'm at year 20 of carrying disposables in checked bags flying 30+ times a year and I've never had so much as a leak of a drop. You're good to go.
posted by chasles at 8:57 PM on May 7, 2022

Response by poster: Thanks everyone! I’ve read so many articles saying containers leak and burst in checked bags, so I wasn’t sure.
posted by bluespark25 at 10:25 AM on May 8, 2022

Best answer: Do you have a wide-mouth 32-oz Nalgene water bottle? I pack all my liquids/creams in it, close it tight then pop it in my suitcase.

If anything leaks, it leaks into the bottle and not onto my clothes. My contacts (in the nightly contact case) tend to leak a bit no matter how tightly I close each of the two vials.

It's an added assurance that has worked out well for me.
posted by seawallrunner at 10:37 AM on May 8, 2022

I've been carrying new contacts in the original packaging in checked luggage for years and never had them leak a single drop. If they're in the screw-top storage thingy, I could see that maybe happening possibly, but they definitely won't explode or leak to any worrying degree.
posted by dg at 9:38 PM on May 8, 2022