Cigars come from all four corners of the world, but have you ever considered what it’s like to travel with your favorite smokes? Whether you’re jetting off to a sunny paradise, interrailing between cities for business, or watching the big game at a friend’s house, you’ve got to be prepared.
Just as you might pack home comforts like your favorite coffee or hand cream, there’s no reason you should forgo one of life’s greatest pleasures — a fine handmade cigar.
Let us take you on a journey to discover the challenges you will face when traveling with cigars and how you can safely overcome them. From taking cigar cutters and lighters on a plane to packing your stogies correctly, it’s time for lift-off.
Do cigars travel well?
Cigars are fragile. A change in climate makes them susceptible to damage. They are sensitive to moisture and temperature, and will absorb the aromas and tastes from the surrounding environment. Bear this in mind before you bundle your sticks inside the bottom of your shoes or beneath your smelly old socks.
Taking proper care of your cigars when traveling will mean you’re not met at the other end with squished, dry, or cracked smokes. But what is the best way to pack your cigars for complete peace of mind?
How to pack when traveling with cigars
Avoid burying your cigars into a packed suitcase or leave them to roll and bounce around in a spare compartment with excess space. Drastic temperature fluctuations that cigars experience (most prominent on flights and trains) can cause the wrappers to crack. This is why you need an appropriate cigar accessory to keep your collection secure while on the move.
How do you keep cigars fresh while traveling?
There are different ways to transport your cigars, but the most logical option will depend on the destination and your frequency of travel. Let’s look at some of them.
Travel humidors
Travel cigar humidors are ideal for frequent travelers who require plenty of space for their stogies. These “bite-sized” humidors are usually lined with cedarwood and will keep your cigars fresh for a couple of weeks in an airtight, enclosed environment.
It’s worth grabbing yourself a Boveda humidity pack to store with your smokes. This provides two-way humidity control for your cigars, maintaining the humidity and keeping them tasting fresh.
Look for travel humidors equipped with a well-padded tray for solid impact protection. They are available in various sizes, including smaller options that hold five cigars — perfect for a beginner.
Cigar cases
A stylish option for protecting your favorite smokes, cigar cases are made from leather, metal, wood, or a combination of all three. Leather cigar cases are suitable for day trips and short journeys. Anything longer, and your cigars will absorb the smell and taste of leather.
Wood and leather are known for their moisture-absorbing qualities, which can dry your cigars out. That’s why we’d recommend using a metal cigar case for long periods of travel.
Tubos
Tubos (Spanish for “tube”) are perfect for short vacations. These small tubes are commonly made from aluminum and allow you to transport cigars in a way that retains moisture and prevents them from losing aroma. They also protect the cigar’s delicate wrapper. If you’re just taking a single cigar (or multiple in individual tubos), these are perfect for easy travel protection.
Can you travel with cigars without a humidor?
Short-term trips without a humidor are possible, but any trip that lasts more than a few days is only viable if you store them in a travel humidor. If you don’t have access to a travel humidor or any of our other storage suggestions, put your cigars inside a ziplock bag with a humidification pouch to maintain the humidity. Add another layer of protection to stop your cigars from getting crushed by placing the ziplock bag inside a firm container.
We also recommend keeping the cellophane wrapper on your cigars as a protective layer against the elements.
Do’s and don'ts of flying with cigars and accessories
Traveling with your cigars on a plane doesn’t have to be turbulent. It just requires a little extra preparation, so your cigars and accessories are not confiscated or damaged pre or mid-flight.
Do’s
- Take your cigars on the plane inside your carry-on. Conditions inside the plane are climate-controlled and far more stable than in the hold. Checked luggage is also more prone to a bumpier ride in the hold, as well as handled roughly by airport staff.
- Try and pack just enough cigars to cover your trip. Don’t overpack — it consumes space and requires extra time, money, and stress to ensure every stogie onboard is safe and humidified. Technically, there are no limits to the number of cigars you can bring on a plane, but the more you carry, the more likely you are to arouse suspicion.
- If you are traveling outside of the US, find out how many cigars you are allowed to bring into the country you’re visiting.
- Securely wrap or sheath sharp objects like cigar cutters in your suitcase to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.
Don’ts
- Don’t risk taking your cigar cutters or lighters on the plane in your carry-on bag, as it avoids any potential issues with airport security. This includes punch cutters and V-cutters that aren’t considered to be sharp objects.
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) doesn’t allow torch lighters on planes in any capacity.
- There’s always the possibility your luggage will get lost, so don’t travel with expensive cutters and lighters.
Top tips for traveling with cigars
Consider the types of cigars you’re bringing
If you’ve planned a sun-soaked getaway and have time to smoke on your hotel room balcony for long periods, bigger vitolas like Churchills are practical. For when you only have time for short smokes (for example, between business meetings), choose a Robusto, or even a cigarillo.
Avoid storing your cigars in the travel humidor for months
Once you’ve returned from your travels, deposit any leftover cigars back in your conventional, larger humidor. It is always the best way to ensure precise control over humidity levels and achieve optimum cigar storage conditions.
Keep your cigars out of direct sunlight
Try not to put your cigars or cigar cases in direct sunlight. Cigars don’t cope well with temperature extremes, and the UV rays will escalate the breakdown of essential oils in your sticks. It’s also important to remember to close your cigar case, tube, or travel humidor when you’ve finished puffing, so it remains airtight when not in use.
Happy travels
Wherever you’re heading, we hope you enjoy a pleasant trip and find time to sit back and take in your new surroundings with a top-class stogie or two. If you’re looking for cigars to accompany you on your travels, explore our impressive selection at cigars.com.