Clothing and a pair of shoes packed in a suitcase for a summer trip

How to travel with fragrance

By Emmanuelle Moeglin, Founder & Perfumer

In short

1

Keep perfume cool, dark and padded, away from sudden temperature shifts.

2

EPC fragrances are made at 18% to 25% concentration, so they last.

3

A Discovery Set packs 9 x 2ml Eau de Parfums into your carry-on.

Your holiday essentials might include sun cream, sunglasses, and swimwear, but don't forget your signature scent. Whether you're off on your honeymoon, jetting away for a romantic city break or embarking on a summer adventure, fragrance has the power to bottle up a moment and turn it into a memory. But how do you take scent with you… and make sure it arrives just as beautifully as you packed it?!

Here's how to store and travel with your perfume, plus our favourite travel-ready options from EPC.

Travel size

How to travel with perfume: tips for protection & preservation

Your fragrance deserves a little care in transit. Here's how to keep your perfume in perfect condition while you travel:

01

Tip 1

Store it somewhere cool and dark

Fragrance is sensitive to sunlight and heat, both of which can degrade the scent over time. When packing, avoid leaving your perfume in direct sunlight or near warm surfaces like radiators or windows. A suitcase, drawer or shaded shelf is ideal.

02

Tip 2

Package with care

If your perfume is in a glass bottle or it's an unusual shape, pack it up surrounded by padding in your suitcase to protect it… this could be as simple as popping it in amongst your socks! If you're carrying it in your hand luggage with you, just keep an eye on it.

03

Tip 3

Avoid extreme temperature shifts

Try not to leave your fragrance in places where temperatures fluctuate (like a hot car). These changes can affect the formula and compromise the structure of the scent.

04

Tip 4

Apply to pulse points and let it settle

When you reach your destination, spritz your scent on warm pulse points (like wrists, neck, and inner elbows) to allow the fragrance to evolve and bloom with your body heat.

Why EPC fragrances are perfect for travel

All EPC fragrances are created with high concentrations of 18% to 25%, meaning they're long-lasting, deeply layered and evolve beautifully throughout the day. That's fewer reapplications, more dimension, and a fragrance that lingers as long as your memories.

Experimental Perfume Club fragrances ready to pack for travel

EPC fragrances, ready to pack for travel.

Bestsellers

Our bestselling Blends

Best fragrance options for travel: our Discovery Sets

When you want to travel light (or simply explore new scents while you do), Discovery Sets are your perfect companion. Each includes 9 x 2ml Eau de Parfums: ideal for slipping into your handbag, carry-on or toiletry bag. Take them to dinner, on the plane or out exploring with you, so you always have the right scent for the moment.

Set 01

Essentials Discovery Set

A collection of our nine Essential Eau de Parfums: minimalist, high-quality and endlessly versatile. Each scent is designed around a core fragrance family: Fresh, Mellow or Deep. Wear them alone or blend for a completely unique creation.

Set 02

Signature Discovery Set

Explore our nine best-selling Signature Blends, each expertly crafted using our Essentials. From bright and citrusy to warm and sensual, these scents are ready to wear and tell their own story.

Set 03

Personalised Discovery Set

Looking for a tailored selection? Use our Fragrance Finder quiz to create a custom Discovery Set of five 2ml samples picked just for you. Perfect for honeymoon prep or pre-holiday exploration: find the scent that truly fits your style and mood.

Take the Fragrance Finder quiz

Preserve the memory

Travel is more than a destination. It's a feeling. The warm breeze on your skin, the rustle of palm trees, the laughter echoing through a quiet street café. And nothing captures that feeling quite like scent.

Fragrance doesn't just complement your experience. It locks it in time.

When you wear a scent on holiday, it becomes deeply tied to that specific moment. That sunset dinner in Tuscany? That early morning swim in the Cyclades? That long-awaited honeymoon walk through lavender fields in Provence? All of it can be preserved through the unique, invisible imprint of perfume.

A summer journey, the kind of trip a scent can bring back

A summer journey, the kind a scent can bring back.

This is because scent is processed in the limbic system: the part of the brain responsible for memory and emotion. Unlike other senses, smell travels directly to this region, which is why a single spritz months (or even years!) later can instantly transport you back to a place, a moment or a feeling.

And it's not just poetic… it's science! Studies show that scent-evoked memories are more vivid, emotional and long-lasting than those prompted by sight or sound alone. This makes perfume not just a beautiful addition to your travel ritual, but a powerful memory-making tool.

Whether you choose one signature scent for your whole trip, or let your mood guide your choice each day with a Discovery Set, your fragrance becomes a sensory souvenir ready to relive whenever you like.

An Experimental Perfume Club fragrance, a scent to hold a holiday memory

Discovery Sets

Ready to scent your summer?
Explore our Discovery Sets. Or, take the Fragrance Finder Quiz and build a personalised travel wardrobe of fragrance, hand-picked just for you.
Shop the Discovery Sets

Frequently asked questions

▾ Can I take perfume in hand luggage?

Yes, as long as each bottle is 100 ml or under and fits inside your single clear, resealable liquids bag. Discovery Sets with 10 ml travel-size bottles are ideal for flying.

▾ How do I stop perfume bottles breaking in my suitcase?

Wrap each bottle in soft clothing or a padded pouch and place it in the centre of your case, away from hard edges. Keeping the cap on tightly and storing bottles upright helps prevent leaks.

▾ Does heat damage perfume?

Yes. Extreme heat and direct sunlight break down fragrance molecules and alter the scent. Avoid leaving bottles in a hot car or on a sunlit windowsill; store them somewhere cool and dark instead.

▾ What size perfume is best for travel?

A 10 ml bottle is the most practical for travel. It meets airline liquid restrictions, fits easily in a bag and holds enough for a one- to two-week trip. EPC Discovery Sets come in this format.

▾ How do I make my fragrance last longer in warm climates?

Apply to pulse points on well-moisturised skin, let it settle before dressing, and carry a travel-size bottle for a midday refresh. Richer, woodier scents tend to hold better in the heat than light citruses.

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