Can I take this bottle in my hand luggage?
How much liquid you can carry in hand luggage at each airport in Romania
At Bucharest Otopeni, Bucharest Băneasa, Cluj and Sibiu, containers of up to 2 litres may be allowed in hand luggage; at the other 13 Romanian airports the limit is 100 ml per container. At Otopeni, Băneasa and Cluj the 2 litres are for people whose journey starts there; changing planes, the limit stays at 100 ml. Exemptions: medicine, special diets, baby food, the STEB bag. Source: the page of SRI, the Romanian Intelligence Service, read on 4 November 2026.
Pick the departure airport to see its rule.
The 17 airports on a map
Tap an airport.- 2 l2 litres when the journey starts here, 100 ml when changing planes (3: Otopeni, Băneasa, Cluj)
- 2 l2 litres, nothing else stated (Sibiu)
- 100100 ml, no bag (2: Timișoara, Craiova)
- 100100 ml, in a 1-litre bag (11)
#The 17 airports, one by one
The table repeats what SRI, the Romanian Intelligence Service, whose civil-aviation security pages carry these rules, writes for each airport. Each row opens to the exact sentence and the date it was read. The SRI paragraphs on Otopeni, Băneasa and Cluj say the 2-litre rule applies only to passengers who start their journey there. The Sibiu paragraph says no such thing, and nothing about transfers either.
SRI’s page carries no date of last change, and SRI writes: “The conditions for carrying LAG differ at Romanian airports, depending on the security equipment installed.” (English rendering of the Romanian) LAG means liquids, aerosols and gels.
| Airport | Starting here | Transfer or transit | Transparent bag | Quote from SRI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucharest Otopeni (Henri Coandă) OTP | 2 litres 2 litres | 100 ml | Required for the 100 ml transfer rule; the page does not ask for it for containers up to 2 litres | Show the quote
|
| Bucharest Băneasa (Aurel Vlaicu) BBU | 2 litres 2 litres | 100 ml | Required for the 100 ml transfer rule; the page does not ask for it for containers up to 2 litres | Show the quote
|
| Cluj-Napoca CLJ | 2 litres 2 litres | 100 ml | Required for the 100 ml transfer rule; the page does not ask for it for containers up to 2 litres | Show the quote
|
| Timișoara TSR | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | Not needed | Show the quote
|
| Iași IAS | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | One bag, at most 1 litre | Show the quote
|
| Sibiu SBZ | 2 litres 2 litres | SRI does not say | SRI does not say | Show the quote
|
| Craiova CRA | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | Not needed | Show the quote
|
| Constanța CND | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | One bag, at most 1 litre | Show the quote
|
| Bacău BCM | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | One bag, at most 1 litre | Show the quote
|
| Suceava SCV | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | One bag, at most 1 litre | Show the quote
|
| Târgu Mureș TGM | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | One bag, at most 1 litre | Show the quote
|
| Oradea OMR | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | One bag, at most 1 litre | Show the quote
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| Brașov (Ghimbav) GHV | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | One bag, at most 1 litre | Show the quote
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| Baia Mare (Maramureș) BAY | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | One bag, at most 1 litre | Show the quote
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| Satu Mare SUJ | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | One bag, at most 1 litre | Show the quote
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| Arad ARW | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | One bag, at most 1 litre | Show the quote
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| Tulcea (Danube Delta) TCE | 100 ml 100 ml | 100 ml | One bag, at most 1 litre | Show the quote
|
#Transfers and the return flight: the strictest airport on the route sets what you carry
Each checkpoint applies its own airport’s rule, not one rule for the whole trip. You leave Otopeni with 500 ml of shampoo, which Otopeni lets through. At Luton on the way back, the limit is 100 ml. On a transfer in Romania, the limit for anyone who did not start their journey there is 100 ml at Otopeni, Băneasa and Cluj.
The table below has five airports outside Romania that the checker can compare with the departure airport. Each row quotes the airport’s or the authority’s own page, read on 4 November 2026. For the other UK airports there is a separate checker.
For an airport that is not here, find its security page. Until you have read it, count on 100 ml.
| Airport | Limit per container | Quote from the official page |
|---|---|---|
| London Luton (LTN) | 100 ml | „All liquid containers in your hand luggage must be under 100ml/100g each (that includes creams, pastes, lotions and gels).” Luton’s page also counts food of similar consistency as liquid: jam, cream, pâté, soft cheese and butter. Read on 4 November 2026. Official page |
| London Stansted (STN) | 100 ml | „Please note: Liquids, aerosols, and gels over 100ml each are not permitted through security.” A container of your own holding 100 ml or less must have its capacity printed on it; a set without markings is not allowed. Read on 4 November 2026. Official page |
| London Heathrow (LHR) | 2 litres | „You can carry liquids in containers of up to 2 litres through security at Heathrow. This applies at Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5.” Heathrow’s page: containers over 100 ml cannot be taken on flights to Australia. Read on 4 November 2026. Official page |
| Madrid Barajas (MAD) | 100 ml | „Líquidos, perfumes, cremas, aerosoles, espumas, geles, champú y pasta de dientes: en envases individuales de capacidad no superior a 100 ml.” Liquids, perfumes, creams, aerosols, foams, gels, shampoo and toothpaste: in individual containers with a capacity of no more than 100 ml. The containers go in a transparent resealable bag of at most 1 litre, one per passenger. Read on 4 November 2026. Official page |
| Istanbul (IST) | 100 ml | „Liquids to be carried should be placed in a box, bottlea similar container of 100 ml volume in a 1- liter plastic bag.” The source is the page of Turkey’s airport authority (DHMİ), giving the national rule of 2012, not a page of Istanbul Airport itself. The containers go in a 1-litre plastic bag. Read on 4 November 2026. Official page |
#Which products count as liquids, from honey to zacuscă
SRI counts as liquids the liquids, aerosols and gels, plus “any mixtures of liquids and solids and others of a similar consistency”. Its examples: water, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, syrups; spray deodorant, hairspray, hair mousse; shower gel, hair gel, cream, lotion, foundation, mascara; and, under “others of a similar consistency”: soup, honey, yoghurt, sour cream, hummus, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, cream cheese, aubergine or fish-roe salad, protein shakes, jam, compote. The list ends with “etc.”.
Zacuscă, the vegetable spread Romanians take on trips, is not in the SRI list. Its consistency is that of aubergine salad, which SRI names, so it is treated the same way. The table says for each product whether SRI names it or whether it is placed by similarity. The security staff make the final call at the checkpoint.
A jar is measured by its capacity. If the label shows grams and you cannot find the volume, choose a jar of known capacity within the airport’s limit.
| Product | Liquid? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Honey | Yes | SRI names it: “honey”. |
| Jam | Yes | SRI names it: “jam”. |
| Homemade preserve (dulceață) | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “jam”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Compote | Yes | SRI names it: “compote”. |
| Zacuscă (vegetable spread) | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “aubergine salad / roe salad”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Aubergine salad | Yes | SRI names it: “aubergine salad / roe salad”. |
| Roe salad | Yes | SRI names it: “aubergine salad / roe salad”. |
| Yoghurt | Yes | SRI names it: “yoghurt”. |
| Sour cream | Yes | SRI names it: “sour cream”. |
| Cream cheese | Yes | SRI names it: “cream cheese”. |
| Cottage cheese or urdă (whey cheese) | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “cream cheese”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Telemea in brine | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “soup”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Pâté or liver paste | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “hummus”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Chocolate or peanut spread | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “hummus”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Mustard | Yes | SRI names it: “mustard”. |
| Ketchup | Yes | SRI names it: “ketchup”. |
| Mayonnaise | Yes | SRI names it: “mayonnaise”. |
| Hummus | Yes | SRI names it: “hummus”. |
| Soup (supă, ciorbă) | Yes | SRI names it: “soup”. |
| Homemade syrup (elderflower, sea buckthorn) | Yes | SRI names it: “syrups”. |
| Olive or sunflower oil | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “syrups”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Vinegar | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “syrups”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Protein shake | Yes | SRI names it: “protein shakes”. |
| Butter | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “cream cheese”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Bread, covrigi (bread rings), cozonac (sweet bread) | No | Solid: not a liquid, aerosol or gel. |
| Hard cheese (cașcaval) | No | Solid: not a liquid, aerosol or gel. |
| Salami, dry sausage, cured pork fat | No | Solid: not a liquid, aerosol or gel. |
| Chocolate, sweets, biscuits | No | Solid: not a liquid, aerosol or gel. |
| Fruit and vegetables | No | Solid: not a liquid, aerosol or gel. |
| Water | Yes | SRI names it: “water”. |
| Juice or soft drink | Yes | SRI names it: “soft drinks”. |
| Milk | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “soft drinks”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Wine | Yes | SRI names it: “alcoholic drinks”. |
| Țuică, palincă (fruit brandies) | Yes | SRI names it: “alcoholic drinks”. |
| Beer | Yes | SRI names it: “alcoholic drinks”. |
| Shampoo or conditioner | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “shower gel”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Shower gel | Yes | SRI names it: “shower gel”. |
| Liquid soap | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “shower gel”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Toothpaste | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “cream or gel”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Mouthwash | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “water”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Spray deodorant | Yes | SRI names it: “spray deodorant”. |
| Roll-on deodorant | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “shower gel”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Solid deodorant stick | No | Solid: not a liquid, aerosol or gel. |
| Hairspray | Yes | SRI names it: “hairspray”. |
| Hair mousse | Yes | SRI names it: “hair mousse”. |
| Shaving foam | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “hair mousse”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Hair gel | Yes | SRI names it: “hair gel”. |
| Cream (face, hand, body) | Yes | SRI names it: “cream”. |
| Lotion | Yes | SRI names it: “lotion”. |
| Sunscreen | Yes | SRI names it: “cream”. |
| Perfume or eau de toilette | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “spray deodorant”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Nail polish | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “foundation”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Hand sanitiser gel | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “hair gel”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Foundation | Yes | SRI names it: “foundation”. |
| Mascara | Yes | SRI names it: “mascara”. |
| Liquid lipstick or lip gloss | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “mascara”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Lipstick (stick) | No | Solid: not a liquid, aerosol or gel. |
| Bar of soap | No | Solid: not a liquid, aerosol or gel. |
| Pressed powder | No | Solid: not a liquid, aerosol or gel. |
| Cough syrup, drops or other liquid medicine | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “syrups”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Prepared baby milk | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “soft drinks”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
| Baby purée | Yes | SRI does not name it; it is treated like “hummus”, which SRI names, for its similar consistency. |
#Exemptions: medicine, special diets, baby food, the STEB bag
At airports with the 100 ml limit, the SRI paragraphs say containers over 100 ml can be accepted in hand baggage only in three cases: the liquid is to be used for medical purposes or meets a special dietary need; it is baby food; or it is sealed in a STEB bag.
A STEB (Security Tamper-Evident Bag) is the bag handed over by shops in an airport’s security areas or on board an aircraft, with the till receipt visible inside. It must stay sealed. The SRI paragraphs for Romanian airports with the 100 ml limit thus admit liquids over 100 ml bought in the security areas, in the sealed STEB bag.
The SRI paragraph on Sibiu lists none of these exemptions; for anything above 2 litres it asks for checked baggage without saying whether exemptions exist. The answer for exemptions at Sibiu is “SRI does not say”, not “no”.
#What this page does not cover
Airline rules: each airline can have its own cabin-bag rules, for example on weight or the number of pieces. Check the page of the airline you fly with.
Dangerous goods and articles banned in the cabin (pepper spray, for instance): SRI has its own page of prohibited articles.
Customs at the destination has its own rules for alcohol, tobacco and food. Check the customs page of the country you arrive in.
Flights to some countries can have separate screening, as flights to the USA and Israel from Rome Fiumicino, according to Italy’s civil aviation authority (ENAC).
#Questions about liquids in hand luggage
How much liquid can I take in hand luggage?
It depends on the departure airport. At Otopeni, Băneasa, Cluj and Sibiu, containers with a capacity of up to 2 litres may be allowed; at the other 13 Romanian airports the limit is 100 ml per container. At Otopeni, Băneasa and Cluj the 2-litre rule applies only to people whose journey starts there. For the four airports, the SRI paragraphs do not limit the number of containers.
Can I take 2 litres of liquid through Otopeni?
Yes, in a container with a capacity of up to 2 litres, if your journey starts at Otopeni. If you are changing planes the limit is 100 ml per container, exemptions aside, all in one transparent, resealable bag of at most 1 litre. The source is the SRI page read on 4 November 2026.
What is the limit at Iași airport?
At Iași the limit is 100 ml per container, all containers in one transparent, resealable bag of at most 1 litre. A larger container is not accepted even if it is only partly filled. Exemptions: medicine, special diets, baby food, a STEB bag.
Can I take a 200 ml deodorant in hand luggage?
SRI names spray deodorant among aerosols. A 200 ml container is within the 2-litre limit at Otopeni, Băneasa and Cluj if your journey starts there, and at Sibiu (the SRI paragraph says nothing about transfers); at the other 13 airports it is over the 100 ml limit and goes in checked baggage. A roll-on or gel is treated the same way; a solid stick is not a liquid.
Can I take honey in hand luggage?
SRI names honey among the products treated as liquids. A jar with a capacity of up to 2 litres is within the limit at Otopeni, Băneasa, Cluj (if your journey starts there) and Sibiu; at the other airports the ordinary rule admits only a jar of up to 100 ml. A jar is measured by capacity, not by the weight on the label.
What can I carry when changing planes at Cluj?
At Cluj, passengers in transit or transfer may carry containers with a capacity of up to 100 ml, exemptions aside, in one transparent, resealable bag of at most 1 litre. The 2-litre rule is only for people who start their journey at Cluj.
Can I take a 500 ml bottle of water on a plane?
At Otopeni, Băneasa and Cluj a 500 ml container is within the limit if your journey starts there; so it is at Sibiu (the SRI paragraph says nothing about transfers). At the other 13 airports it is over the 100 ml limit. SRI admits liquids over 100 ml bought in the security areas if they are in the sealed STEB bag with the receipt visible inside.
Do I still need a transparent bag at Timișoara?
No. The SRI paragraph on Timișoara allows containers of up to 100 ml, in any number, with no resealable bag needed. SRI writes the same for Craiova. At Iași, Constanța and the other nine airports with a 100 ml limit and a bag, the 1-litre bag is required.
#Sources
Every page below was opened on 4 November 2026.
- SRI, civil aviation security: conditions for carrying liquids (Romanian)
- SRI, prohibited articles on aircraft (Romanian)
- Cluj Airport press release of 2 September 2025: the 100 ml restriction removed (Romanian)
- G4Media, 11 March 2026: 2 litres at Otopeni and Băneasa (Romanian)
- ENAC (Italy’s civil aviation authority), notice of 5 August 2025: separate screening for the USA and Israel at Rome Fiumicino (Italian)
- London Luton: official page
- London Stansted: official page
- London Heathrow: official page
- Madrid Barajas: official page
- Istanbul: official page
Sources that do not match
A text older than these dates may give 100 ml at every airport. According to Cluj Airport’s press release the 100 ml limit was removed from 3 September 2025; according to the press (G4Media, 11 March 2026) the 2-litre rule has applied at Otopeni and Băneasa since 11 March 2026. The SRI page read on 4 November 2026 gives them as the rule in force.
The SRI paragraph on Sibiu gives 2 litres without the sentence about passengers who start their journey, without a transfer rule and without exemptions. Where SRI says nothing, the answer is “SRI does not say”, and the airport gives the confirmation.
SRI’s page carries no update date, and the rules change with the equipment. Read the airport’s own page or ask it before you fly.
More on Romania’s airports: How many airports does Romania have? · A few hours in Bucharest between flights