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Taking Your Camera on a Plane
Kamera Express
Taking your camera on a plane? Here's what you need to know
You've been looking forward to your holiday for a long time, and perhaps you've even bought a brand new camera especially for the trip. But what's the best way to take your camera on a plane? We've put together eight tips for you, so you can get the most out of your trip and come home with your camera and beautiful holiday shots intact.
1. Put your camera in your hand luggage
Always take as much of your valuable photo or video equipment as possible in your hand luggage. This way your camera is always close by and you remain in control of it. It's a big risk to put your fragile camera gear in your checked luggage. First of all, once you've handed in your suitcase, you have no idea how people will handle it. If an airport worker is having a bad day, this can end badly — especially if the damage isn't covered by your insurance. Secondly, your suitcase can get lost — which is obviously the last thing you want. Thirdly, the often damp and cold conditions in the aircraft hold can be disastrous for your equipment. So avoid a lot of uncertainty by always keeping your gear close in your hand luggage.
The only exception to this is a tripod. This item is often awkward or too large to take in your hand luggage. It can also be seen as a blunt weapon by customs staff. To avoid unnecessary problems and delays, it's best to pack your tripod in your checked luggage. Fortunately, it can withstand the damp conditions in the hold. It is wise, however, to wrap your tripod in a few jumpers for some extra protection.
2. Be at the gate on time
Following on from the first tip, it's wise to be at the gate on time so you're near the front of the boarding queue. It can happen that your hand luggage still ends up in the hold if the overhead compartments in the cabin are full. This is particularly likely on busy (fully booked) flights. If you're at the back of the queue, there's a chance you'll be separated from your camera and it will end up in the hold after all. That's the last thing you want.
3. Check the dimensions and weight of your luggage at home in advance
Avoid hassle at the airport by measuring and weighing your (hand) luggage at home in advance. All your careful preparation will be undone if you have to rummage through your bag(s) at the airport because it's just a little too heavy or too large. Every airline has its own rules when it comes to hand luggage. So always check the terms and conditions on the airline's own website in advance.
4. Travel with a camera trolley
If you're travelling with a lot of camera gear, it's very convenient to use a trolley specifically designed for the purpose. You get the convenience of a regular wheeled suitcase combined with the extra protection of a camera bag. These bags come with dividers that let you customise the layout yourself, ensuring your camera and lenses stay firmly in place. The trolleys often also have laptop and tablet compartments. If you're not using the full capacity of the case, the remaining space can easily be used for everyday items. Any other holiday essentials can travel as checked luggage if needed. An added bonus of a trolley is that they generally don't scream "I contain expensive camera equipment", so you have less reason to worry about thieves.
5. Cover the contact points of your batteries with tape
Since batteries generate heat when short-circuited, they are not allowed in checked luggage. That said, if you've been following this list from the top, you weren't planning on that anyway. Do tape over the contact points of your batteries with non-conductive tape to prevent any accidental short circuits. If the batteries are still neatly in their original packaging, there's no problem at all. Another alternative is to store your batteries in a specially designed pouch.
6. Take (a copy of) original receipts with you
If you're flying outside the EU, you may be required to prove to customs that you already owned your camera before you set off on your trip. You do this with the original receipts. Take a copy with you (leave the originals safely at home) or add them to the government's 'Travel app'.
You can easily find and download the receipts for your purchases at Kamera Express in your account.
7. Insure your equipment with our Care Plan
We hope it won't be necessary, but when you're travelling you never know what might happen to your camera. Should your equipment break down, we're happy to help through our Care Plan. With our Care Plan PRO, even theft from a car is covered. As with any insurance policy, make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully so you know when you are and aren't covered.
8. Keep your photos close at all times
This is more of a tip for the return flight, but it's just as important. By the end of your trip you'll have taken hundreds of beautiful photos. It would be a shame to lose all these memories because something happens to your gear on the plane despite all these tips. So keep your memory cards (and possibly a hard drive) in your jacket pocket. You can't get much closer than that.
Better still, store all your cards in a card case that you then slip into your pocket. That way you won't have loose cards floating around.
Tips for photography on your travels
Do you already have a holiday coming up? Then be sure to check out our ten tips for travel photography.
