Key takeaways  

Travelling soon and need a rundown of the essentials? Here are five key things to consider when travelling with a guitar:  

1. Provide adequate protection for your guitar  
2. Position your guitar sensibly  
3. If flying, arrive at the airport early and be well prepared  
4. Check your guitar upon arrival  

What you need to travel with your guitar  

Guitar case 

The most important thing when travelling with your guitar is protection. Whether you’re taking a short stroll to a jam session or loading up the van for your band’s next gig, keeping your guitar in a reliable case/gig bag is a sure-fire way to keep your gear safe and sound.  

For short journeys, a gig bag provides a lightweight, comfortable travel option. The Gator GL-DREAD-12 is the perfect choice to house your dreadnought acoustic while on the move, letting you carry your guitar on your back or by the handle. The gig bag also features an exterior storage pocket to store any trinkets and accessories you’ll need, such as capos and picks.  

Alternatively, if you’re after sturdier protection that’ll stand the test of the tour van or you simply want the peace of mind that your high-end guitar will be extra-safe, a hardshell case such as the Gator GW-SG-BROWN Deluxe Electric Guitar Case (specifically designed for SG guitars) does the trick. This case not only offers a durable plywood casing, but it also boasts a luxury vintage-style look.  

TSA-compliant bag lock  

A TSA-compliant lock is essential when checking your guitar at the airport. These locks can be opened by TSA agents using a master key, allowing them to inspect your case without breaking it. Standard locks might get cut off, leaving your guitar exposed and your case damaged.

Look for the red diamond symbol to make sure your lock is TSA-recognised and safe for flying. Whether you’re travelling with a single-cut, a semi-hollow or an acoustic case, there’s a range of cases with TSA-approved lockable latches on the market.  

Humidity control kit  

Humidity is the hidden destroyer of guitars, especially acoustic guitars, which don’t harbour the same solid-body levels of resistance against sudden temperature and humidity changes.

Whether you’re driving or flying, it’s a good idea to keep the humidity for your guitar under control, ideally around 45-55% (humidity levels can drop to around 10% on a flight). Even if it’s inside a case, your guitar is at risk of warping, cracks, and damage.  

The best defence against such humidity damage is a humidity control kit. Simply placing these inside your guitar case increases your guitar’s chance of survival, although it doesn’t guarantee that everything will be fine. Flying with a guitar is always a risk, especially if your guitar’s checked into the cargo hold.  

Where to put your guitar 

While you might be tempted to chuck your guitar in the boot with the rest of the gear, it’s better to keep it close to you, whether that’s in the space between your legs or on the seats next to you. This way, you know that your guitar isn’t getting thrown all over the place or buried under a pile of gear.  

If it’s just your guitar going in the boot, there won’t be anything knocking into it, but it might slide around if not held securely. A hardshell case keeps things sturdy and reduces movement – just don’t drive recklessly.

If you’re lucky enough to have access to a van, then it’s safe to put the guitar in the back with the rest of the gear as long as it’s secure and not likely to be bashed around.

Lay the guitar flat to prevent it from falling over – nobody wants a snapped headstock! 

You’ll also want to make sure your guitar isn’t positioned where heavy amps or other heavy equipment might fall over and crush it.

While most guitars are sturdy and can withstand a beating (just look at how Kurt Cobain treated his guitars), it’s never worth the risk with your prized possession.

Taking your guitar on public transport  

Taking your guitar on trains and buses often feels like a chore – busy aisles and full luggage racks certainly don’t make things easy for the travelling guitarist. If you can’t find space in the overhead luggage racks, you’ll have to stand with your guitar in the space between carriages – that’s what I do. Admittedly, it’s not ideal on long journeys.  

Rail services don’t advise putting baggage on the seat next to you, as this takes up space someone else could use, so wait for the overhead luggage racks to clear and take the first opportunity to get your guitar up there. You’ll want to keep a keen eye on it, so sit somewhere you can see your guitar if possible. This way, you can monitor any damage or potential theft.  

I’d always recommend a soft-shell case when using public transport, as this allows your guitar to fit in the luggage spaces better thanks to its malleable design. What’s more, you can sling them over your back and move quickly if you’re darting across platforms. 

Even if you’ve kept your guitar by your side the whole journey, it’s still a good idea to check everything is in working order upon arrival. The last thing you want is to arrive at your playing destination, open your case, and see a broken guitar. Depending on your guitar’s tuning stability, you’ll probably have to retune your guitar after travelling too, as the fast pace and slight knocks of transit can detune your guitar.  

Flying with a guitar 

Travelling with your guitar on land is simple enough – the main thing you need to think about is the case you’ll use and keeping track of where your guitar is. Flying, however, it’s a different beast altogether. 

Disclaimer: We don’t recommend flying with your guitar unless you absolutely have to, as this puts it at risk of damage, loss, and theft. If you do choose to fly with your guitar, we suggest taking it with you as carry-on luggage.   

Here’s our advice for minimising any potential damage as much as possible.

Equipment

If you’re taking your guitar as hand luggage, a soft shell gig bag provides the best protection, fitting comfortably into the tight spaces overhead or lying under the seat in front of you. If you’re checking your guitar in as hold luggage, opt for a hardshell case. However, we don’t recommend trusting the cargo hold – we’ve all seen how luggage is thrown around here!

As mentioned earlier, a TSA-compliant lock and humidity-control kit are also essential.

Prepartion

1. Check your airline’s instrument policy 

Know your airline’s instrument policy in advance. Some airlines let you book a seat for your instrument or store it in any extra space they might have available, so it’s always good to check if this is an option. You’ll also want to check that you definitely can take your instrument on the aeroplane!

2. Get travel insurance  

As boring as it sounds, travel insurance is essential when flying with your guitar to protect against loss, theft, or damage. Airlines often accept limited liability for instruments – insurance ensures you’re covered if the worst happens.  

Choose a policy that covers musical equipment and check the claim limits and conditions. We’ve partnered with MusicGuard, which provides specialist music insurance that covers you both overseas and for in-vehicle travel. While you might not enjoy the tedium of getting your guitar insured, you’re future self will be eternally grateful should anything happen to your cherished instrument.  

3. Get a permit for protected materials  

If your guitar contains materials protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) – such as rosewood, ivory, tortoiseshell, African Blackwood, Ebony, some species of Mahogany, or Bubinga – you’ll need a permit to travel internationally with it. It’s your responsibility to check and determine the correct scientific names for your CITES application, which can be done on the species+ website. 

CITES regulations apply even if your guitar was legally purchased. Before travelling, check if your instrument includes listed materials, and apply for a Musical Instrument Certificate through the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in the UK. This ensures legal transport and avoids confiscation or fines at borders. For full guidance and how to apply, visit the Musicians’ Union site: CITES materials.

4. Detune your guitar  

The air is an unforgiving environment for guitars – drastic changes to humidity and temperature levels cause all sorts of problems. If your guitar is fully tuned, tension on the neck and bridge can cause breakages. 

Tune your guitar down half or a full step to relieve this tension. You’ll know you’ve got it right when the strings become a little slack. Detuning too much is unnecessary and might cause truss rod issues down the line, so don’t get too carried away.  

5. Remove any loose accessories from the bag 

If you’re carrying any loose accessories in your guitar case, you should move them to your hand luggage. Having loose items such as strings, capos, leads, or tools might cause damage to your guitar during travel, as it’s likely that the bag will be thrown around a fair bit, especially if there’s turbulence.  

If your guitar has a tremolo arm, we recommend removing this too.

6. Pack and protect your guitar 

While you might think you can rely on your case alone, it’s a good idea to add some extra padding around the guitar inside the case – better to be safe than sorry. During air travel, your guitar will likely move around a lot, especially if it’s checked into the cargo hold. Adding soft padding such as T-shirts, towels, or bubble wrap ensures a snug fit and prevents damage.

7. Use an AirTag or similar tracking device

Placing a tracking device in your guitar case means you always know the whereabouts of your guitar should it go missing during transit.  

Travelling with such valuable and sentimental luggage as a guitar is something you shouldn’t take lightly – I’d advise writing your name and contact details on the outside and inside of the case so people know where to turn in the event of losing your guitar. In the hustle and bustle of travel, it’s easy to forget these essential steps, but they could make the difference between recovering a missing guitar or losing it forever.  

FAQs  

Do guitars fit in overhead bins?  

A guitar will fit in an overhead bin if it’s of the right size and the bin is large enough to store it. Whether you’re allowed to include your guitar as carry-on luggage depends on the policies of the airline you’re travelling with – if your guitar doesn’t fit or isn’t permitted as carry-on luggage, it’ll have to be checked into the hold, and you might face extra costs. Most guitars do fit in the overhead bins on trains, however. 

What is the cheapest way to travel with a guitar?  

The cheapest way to travel with a guitar is to check it in as baggage, that is, if it’s not small enough to take as hand luggage. While checking your guitar into the hold is the most affordable option, it’s also the riskiest, and you might end up footing the bill for a new guitar if things go wrong.  

Can I take a guitar on a plane UK?  

While it’s always best to check with your airline’s policies before you travel, you can take your guitar on a plane if it’s in its case and under 80cm long. This qualifies it as your hand baggage allowance, according to the current policy of British Airways.  

Final thoughts  

Whether you’re going to a friend’s house for a chilled jam session, attending a music lesson, or heading out on your band’s next gig, it’s always good to know how to travel with your guitar in the safest, most efficient way. Using sturdy and reliable cases and gig bags and packing your guitar securely lets you travel with the confidence that your guitar will be kept safe and secure wherever you go.  

While air travel is more risk-prone than travelling with your guitar by foot, car, or train, there are measures you can take to minimise potential loss and damage. Preparing your guitar for travel, using reliable protective gear, and making sure everything is in order when you land are all key considerations.

Remember, travelling with your guitar is always a risk, especially if you’re flying. There are countless horror stories of damage done to premium and much-loved guitars after they’ve returned from the depths of the cargo hold. Wherever possible, get your guitar that first-class treatment and book it on a seat next to you.