The Ultimate Travel Packing List for Your Piercings & Jewellery
Packing for a holiday is exciting, but if you have piercings, there's a little more to think about than just clothes and toiletries. From remembering spare jewellery parts and keeping healing piercings clean to knowing what to expect at airport security, a little preparation can help you avoid unnecessary stress while you're away.
Whether you're heading off for a weekend city break, a beach holiday or a long-haul adventure, this guide covers everything you need to know. We'll explain what to pack, what to leave at home, how to organise your jewellery for travel and how to care for both healed and healing piercings while you're away from your usual routine.
Quick answer: Pack a sterile saline spray, spare labret backs, a small jewellery organiser and a compact mirror. Choose secure, everyday jewellery for your trip and leave sentimental or irreplaceable pieces safely at home.
Jump to a section
- What to Leave at Home
- The Travel Packing List: What to Bring
- Looking After a Healing Piercing on Holiday
- Airport Security and Piercings
- What to Wear on the Journey
- FAQs
What to Leave at Home
Before deciding what to pack, think about what not to bring. One of the biggest travel mistakes is packing jewellery you'd be devastated to lose.
If a piece has sentimental value or would be expensive to replace, it's usually safest left at home. Airports, hotels, beaches and swimming pools all increase the chance of jewellery being misplaced or damaged.
Instead, choose a small collection of versatile pieces that work with multiple outfits. A few comfortable studs, a simple clicker hoop and one or two favourite designs are often all you need for a trip.
With Bling's implant-grade ASTM F136 titanium jewellery is ideal for travel because it's lightweight, waterproof, tarnish resistant and comfortable enough for everyday wear. Packing a smaller, well-planned collection means less to keep track of and more time enjoying your holiday.
The Travel Packing List: What to Bring
Packing for your piercings doesn't take much space. A few carefully chosen essentials can help you look after healing piercings, keep your jewellery organised and avoid small problems turning into holiday headaches.
AFTERCARE ESSENTIALS
If you have a healing piercing, keeping up your aftercare routine while you're away is just as important as it is at home.
Pack a sterile saline spray containing only sterile water and 0.9% sodium chloride so you can continue cleaning your piercing twice a day. A small bottle is ideal for travelling, and sterile saline wipes can be useful when you're out exploring.
It's also worth bringing a few pieces of lint-free gauze to gently pat the area dry after cleaning, along with a compact mirror to make checking or cleaning your piercing much easier.
SPARE JEWELLERY PARTS
Losing an earring back or decorative top at home is frustrating. Losing one while you're on holiday can be much harder to deal with, especially if you're wearing flat-back jewellery.
Packing a spare labret back and spare decorative top takes up almost no room but can save you from searching for replacements while you're away. If you regularly wear flat-back studs, these are the two spare parts most worth bringing.
If you think you may need to change your jewellery during your trip, a labret insertion taper tool is also worth considering. It's optional, but many people find it makes reinserting flat-back jewellery much easier, particularly in cartilage piercings.
KEEPING YOUR JEWELLERY ORGANIZED
A little organisation goes a long way when travelling with jewellery.
A small jewellery pouch or travel organiser helps prevent earrings from scratching or tangling, while pushing stud earrings through a small piece of foam or stiff card keeps pairs together and easy to find.
For extra protection, place individual pieces in small resealable bags before storing them in your jewellery pouch. It's a simple way to keep everything organised and makes it much easier to find the pair you're looking for.
Looking After a Healing Piercing on Holiday
Travelling with a healing piercing is perfectly possible, but it does require a little extra care. Changes to your routine, long journeys and time spent swimming or outdoors can all make a healing piercing more likely to become irritated.
The most important thing is to keep up your aftercare routine. Clean your piercing twice a day with a sterile saline solution, wash your hands before touching it and avoid moving or twisting the jewellery unnecessarily.
If your piercing is still healing, it's best to avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes and the sea until your piercer advises it's safe. If your holiday is centred around swimming or water sports, you may want to wait until you return home before getting pierced, or book your appointment towards the end of your trip.
During long journeys, try not to put pressure on a healing ear piercing. A travel pillow can make resting more comfortable, especially if you have a cartilage piercing or usually sleep on your side.
With a little planning and consistent aftercare, there's no reason a healing piercing should stop you enjoying your holiday.
Airport Security and Piercings
One of the most common questions before flying is whether piercings will cause problems at airport security. In most cases, they won't. Standard earrings, nose studs and other body jewellery are usually too small to trigger security scanners, so you shouldn't need to remove them before going through.
If you're wearing a healing piercing, never remove the jewellery just to pass through security. Removing jewellery too early can cause the piercing to close quickly. If you're asked about it, simply explain that it's a healing piercing and cannot be safely removed. Security staff deal with passengers wearing piercings every day and can carry out alternative screening if needed.
Top Travel Tips
- You generally don't need to remove earrings before airport security.
- Never remove jewellery from a healing piercing unless advised by your piercer.
- If you're wearing lots of jewellery, arriving with a little extra time can help you travel without feeling rushed.
What to Wear on the Journey
The jewellery you wear while travelling is just as important as what you pack.
For long flights, train journeys or road trips, flat-back studs are often the most comfortable choice. Their smooth backing sits flush against your ear, making them less likely to dig in while resting against a headrest or travel pillow.
If you prefer hoops, choose a secure clicker hoop that's unlikely to catch on clothing, headphones or bag straps. It's also best to avoid long drop earrings or chunky statement pieces, as they're more likely to snag during your journey.
Comfortable, secure jewellery lets you relax and enjoy travelling without worrying about your piercings.
FAQs
Still have questions about travelling with piercings? Here are answers to some of the questions we're asked most often before a holiday.
Do piercings set off airport metal detectors?
Usually not. Most earrings, nose studs and other body jewellery are too small to trigger airport security scanners, so you shouldn't need to remove them before flying. If you're selected for additional screening, security staff may simply use a handheld scanner or carry out a routine pat-down.
Can I fly with a healing piercing?
Yes. Keep up your usual aftercare routine while you're away. Clean your piercing with sterile saline, avoid touching or twisting the jewellery unnecessarily, and protect it from knocks or pressure during your journey.
What's the best jewellery to wear on a long flight?
Flat-back studs are usually a comfortable choice because they sit flush against the ear and are less likely to catch on headrests or travel pillows. A secure clicker hoop can also work well if you prefer hoops.
Should I remove my earrings before swimming on holiday?
If your piercing is fully healed, you can usually leave your jewellery in while swimming and rinse it with clean water afterwards. If it is still healing, it is best to avoid pools, hot tubs, lakes and the sea until your piercer advises that it is safe.
What should I do if I lose an earring back while travelling?
Packing a spare back before you leave is the easiest solution. If you don't have one, a local pharmacy or jeweller may be able to help with a temporary replacement.
Can I get a new piercing while I'm on holiday?
You can, but consider your plans first. If your holiday includes swimming, water sports or activities where the piercing could be knocked or irritated, waiting until you return home is often more practical.
