Do You Need To Take Liquids Out At Gatwick

Picture this: It’s 5 AM at Gatwick’s North Terminal. I’m clutching my carry-on like a life raft, sweating through my third cup of instant coffee. I had forgotten about the liquid rule, naturally—the one that turns us all into frantic chemists at the security belt. So I’m there, trying to squeeze my brand-new, £30 shampoo into a single, pathetic 100ml pot, while a security guard watches with the patience of a saint watching a squirrel try to bury a car.

That’s when I realized: Do I actually need to take my liquids out? Or was I just following the security theater like a sheep with anxiety? Let’s cut through the fog of travel confusion, shall we?

The Short Answer: Yes, But Only Sometimes

At most Gatwick security lanes, the rule is still painfully simple: all liquids, gels, pastes, and aerosols must go in a single, clear, resealable bag—max 100ml per container. And yes, you have to remove that bag from your hand luggage and place it in a separate tray. Why? So the X-ray machine can see your miniature conditioner without it looking like a bomb component.

But here’s the catch—Gatwick has newer CT scanners in some security zones (especially at the North Terminal, lucky you). With these fancy machines, you can actually leave liquids inside your bag—but only if you’re in the right queue. Don’t bet on it, though. The signs are tiny, and the staff will still yell at you if you guess wrong.

The “But My Friend Said…” Trap

You’ve heard it: a friend flew through Gatwick last week and said they didn’t need to take anything out. Congratulations to your friend. They hit the one lane with the new scanner at 10 PM on a Tuesday. Meanwhile, you’re here, on a Friday afternoon, with 50 people behind you, and the machine looks like it was built in 2008. Always prepare for the old rule. It’s like bringing an umbrella to Brighton—you might not need it, but you won’t cry when it rains.

What Counts as a Liquid? (Yes, That Includes Your Hummus)

The definition is brutally broad. Water, juice, shampoo, toothpaste, contact lens solution, sunscreen, peanut butter, jam, and—yes—hummus. Anything that can spread, drip, or be squirted is a liquid. Even a snow globe (I learned that the hard way when my souvenir was confiscated for being “aggressively watery”).

And listen, I know it’s tempting to think “it’s only a tiny bit.” Don’t. The 100ml rule is for the container, not the amount inside. A 150ml bottle of shampoo, even if it’s almost empty, will be tossed. Empty it first, or accept your fate as a donate-to-the-bin philanthropist.

The Sneaky Exceptions (For Parents and Medicated Folks)

If you’re traveling with a baby (under two years old, not someone who acts like one), you can bring the amount of milk, formula, or sterilized water you need for the flight. It doesn’t have to fit in the 100ml bag. But be ready to taste-test it—okay, maybe not taste-test, but security might ask you to open and smell it. Yes, it’s weird.

Medications, too, are allowed in larger volumes. Just keep them in original packaging with a prescription or doctor’s note if you can. Expect a pat-down and a slow-motion bag inspection. It’s security, not a spa.

What Happens If You Forget? The Gatwick Shame Spiral

You’ll be that person at the front of the queue, unzipping frantic pockets while everyone sighs. A security officer will hand you a tiny plastic bag and watch as you try to fit a full-size deodorant, a bottle of wine, and your emotional-support lip balm into it. Spoiler: it won’t fit. You’ll then have to choose: toss the expensive cosmetics or run back to the check-in desk and shove them into a suitcase you already sent to cargo. Neither option feels good.

A Pro Tip From a Recovering Forgetter

Pack your liquids in an accessible outer pocket before you even leave home. This way, you don’t have to dig through your entire life story to find the bag. And please—for the love of all that is fast—put your laptop and tablet in a separate compartment, too. Gatwick is not the place for a treasure hunt.

The Final Verdict: Yes, Take ‘Em Out

Until Gatwick fully updates its fleet of scanners (which could be next year or in 2047), the safe bet is: assume you have to take liquids out. It takes 10 seconds to prep, and it saves you from public panic. Think of it as a mini workout for your stress levels.

So next time you’re standing in that long, fluorescent-light tunnel of hope and fear, just remember: you are not alone. We’ve all been the person fumbling with a ziplock bag of shame. And hey—if you do forget, at least you’ll have a story. Just don’t try to sneak hummus through. It never ends well.