The most reliable prevention is packing perfume bottles upright inside a sealed plastic bag or dedicated travel case, wrapped in clothing for cushioning, and avoiding checked luggage for anything you’re worried about, since pressure and temperature changes in the hold are the most common causes of leaks and breakages.

Practical packing habits that actually help

  • Always place perfume bottles inside a resealable plastic bag before packing, so any leak stays fully contained
  • Pack bottles upright where possible, since pressure changes can force liquid past a loose seal more easily if a bottle is on its side
  • Use a padded travel atomiser or dedicated perfume travel case for any bottle you’re taking regularly, rather than relying on clothing alone for cushioning
  • Avoid extreme temperature exposure, don’t leave perfume in a hot car boot or check it in luggage that might sit on a hot tarmac for extended periods
  • Double-check that pump mechanisms are properly seated and caps are tightly closed before packing, since a loosely fitted pump is one of the most common causes of in-transit leaks

If a leak does happen despite precautions, our related answer on getting a lingering perfume smell out of a suitcase covers the clean-up. Our travelling with perfume guide covers packing properly, and the complete guide to perfume has more travel-related advice. A few minutes of careful packing before a trip is a small effort compared with the frustration of finding a leaked bottle once you’ve arrived.