Travelling with batteries, power banks and battery-operated devices

 

Before travelling with InterCity, it's important to know how to safely pack your battery-powered devices and equipment and which battery-powered items are prohibited from being carried on or transported by InterCity services.

 

Lithium Batteries and Prohibited Items

Lithium batteries are the most common type of battery used to power rechargeable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, game consoles, mobility aids and assistive devices.

If you’re travelling with a device containing batteries, here are some things you need to know:

  • No more than 15 spare batteries are permitted per passenger.
  • All spare batteries must travel as carry-on luggage.
  • If a device that contains batteries cannot be stored as carry-on luggage and is stored as checked-in luggage, it must have the ON/OFF switch protected to prevent accidental activation.
  • Hoverboards, Mini-Segway, solo wheels, air wheels, balance wheels, Lithium powered skateboards, e-scooters, e-bikes and other personal transportation devices with Lithium batteries exceeding 160 Watt hours (Wh) are prohibited on all InterCity services.
  • All wet-cell spillable batteries, such as car batteries, are prohibited on all InterCity services.

Note: Watt hours (Wh) are a measure of a battery's power capacity. For example, a 50 Wh battery can deliver one watt of power over 50 hours, or 5W of power for 10 hours. A higher Wh capacity means more risk as they can overheat easily and can even explode, which is why we limit the number of devices and batteries you can carry onboard InterCity services.

Batteries can also be measured in Amp hours (Ah), or milliamp hours (mAh). You can convert between the two ratings if you know the voltage of your battery:

  • Watt hours = Voltage x Amp hours
  • Watt hours = Voltage x milliamp hours ÷ 1000

 

Travelling with Powered Wheelchairs or Mobility Scooters

Most powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters are powered by sealed lead acid batteries, which are generally safe to be carried on InterCity services.

If your powered wheelchair or mobility scooter can collapse down to fit within our Checked Luggage conditions, it can be counted towards your Checked Luggage entitlement. If it cannot be collapsed down to fit our Checked Luggage size and weight dimensions, it will be regarded as Oversize Luggage. Please refer to our Checked Luggage Terms and Conditions for more information.