Thinking of planning a trip to Istanbul this year? Turkey’s tourism industry is witnessing a meteoric rise in Indian visitors. According to H.E. Firat Sunel, the Turkish Ambassador to India, the country is poised to become one of Turkey’s top 10 tourist markets within the next three years. The surge in Indian travellers is evident in the numbers. As per a report by The Economic Times, between January and May 2024, a staggering 126,000 Indians visited Turkey, representing a 34 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. This growth is even more impressive, considering Turkey welcomed 274,000 Indian tourists in 2023. The data demonstrates Turkey’s increasing appeal to Indian travellers. If you, too, are planning a trip to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Fethiye, and other parts of the country, then here’s a list of things that are restricted to your flight to Turkey.
Here’s what you can and cannot carry on your flight to Turkey
1. How much electronics can you carry?
Here’s the deal with gadgets: you can pack up to 15 electronics with lithium batteries (under 100 Wh) in your checked baggage, but they need to be fully powered down—no sneaky standby mode! For anything between 100 and 160 Wh, you’ll need special permission. Devices over 160 Wh? Not happening. Keep spare batteries and power banks in your hand luggage only. And please, no damaged, defective, or recalled devices—as you can imagine, airlines aren’t fans of spontaneous combustion.
2. Can you carry your e-cigarettes on flights?
Were you thinking of flying with your e-cig? Electronic cigarettes are a no-go in your checked luggage. But if you’re flying on Etihad Airways flights, you can carry them in your cabin bag. Just don’t get any ideas about puffing away mid-flight. Smoking of any kind—lighters, matches, e-cigs—is strictly banned everywhere on board, including the bathrooms. So, keep it tucked away until you land.
3. And lighter?
Lighters are allowed on flights to Turkey, but specific restrictions are based on the airline and regulatory guidelines. On Turkish Airlines, you can carry a non-gun-shaped lighter in your cabin baggage, but flammable items like cigarette lighters and matches are prohibited. KLM allows small cigarette lighters and safety matches to be carried on your person but not in your hand baggage. Etihad Airways also allows One standard lighter per person. According to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, you may bring one absorbed liquid or butane lighter in your carry-on or on your person. If you check your carry-on, the lighter must be removed and kept with you in the cabin.
3. What about smart baggage?
If you’re travelling with a smart bag that has a lithium battery, you’re in luck—just make sure you can remove the battery. If it’s not removable, unfortunately, the bag can’t come along. For those flying to or from India, leave your satellite phones and GPS devices (like GARMIN) at home unless you’ve received clearance from the Department of Telecommunication. Also, self-balancing devices, including hoverboards, airboards, oxboards, e-skates, waveboards, U-runners, and electric motorized luggage, are strictly prohibited. These items are not allowed in either your cabin or checked baggage.
4. What if the luggage is of an irregular size or has a cool unique shape?
If your baggage is oddly shaped or cling-wrapped in a way that could jam up the system then it’s most likely that you won’t be able to carry that with you. Spheres, food-grade cling film, or anything else likely to cause chaos in the baggage carousel are not allowed. Pack smart, and keep it simple.
5. What sort of chemical and toxic substances are allowed and prohibited?
You can’t bring along disabling sprays like mace, pepper spray, or tear gas for safety’s sake. Similarly, acids and alkalis—think spillable batteries—are off-limits, as are corrosive agents like mercury and chlorine. Fire extinguishers? Nope. Infectious materials, such as infected blood or bacteria, are also banned. Anything that might spontaneously combust or is classified as a poison, radioactive material, or toner cartridge is strictly prohibited. In short, leave the hazardous materials at home and keep your travel safe and hassle-free
6. Are products of animal origin allowed on the flight?
You are not allowed to bring animal-origin products from hunting, including any parts of animals.
7. Are razors allowed?
Generally speaking, razors are not allowed in your cabin baggage unless they are safety or disposable razors with blades enclosed in a cartridge. You can, however, pack a razor in your checked luggage.
