Travellers with limited hand luggage space
With individual bags or tubes, you won’t have to keep a large, opened bag with you while you travel. Schiphol says you can take food in your hand luggage; separate rules apply to liquid and spreadable food.
Who are individual portions useful for?
Families and small travel groups
If you want to share snacks with others, compare the number of bags and the flavour selection with the number of travellers. For example, Albert Heijn lists Lay's mixed boxes with 20 or 30 bags.
Shoppers who want to compare labels
Ingredients may vary between snacks in a mixed box. So check the allergen information for each variety. When comparing nutritional values across pack sizes, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the values per 100 g.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, count how many individual snacks you want to take with you. Then choose between a selection of flavours and one familiar flavour, and check the labels before buying a box for several travellers.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Count the individual packs and, where stated, check the weight per portion. | If I want to put one snack in my hand luggage or lunchbox, I’d rather have an individual bag or tube than an opened large bag. Around 31% of shoppers prioritise individual portions. |
| Flavour variety | Check which varieties are in the box and how many bags there are of each. | When we’re travelling with others, I want there to be a choice without having to take several large bags. For around 31% of shoppers, variety is the main priority. |
| Right-sized quantity | Compare the number of bags with the number of travellers and snack breaks. | For a short trip, I don’t want to take a bulky box if we’ll only have a few snacks. Around 23% of shoppers prioritise getting the right amount. |
| Label for each variety | Read the ingredients and allergens for each snack; compare the nutritional values of similar products per 100 g. | If ingredients or nutritional values affect my choice, I want to be able to assess each variety individually. Around 15% of shoppers give checking labels their highest priority. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Reading only the label on the outer box
A selection of flavours may contain snacks with different ingredients. So information about one variety doesn’t necessarily apply to all the bags.
If you have a relevant allergy, check the current ingredients and allergen information for each variety before choosing the box.
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Assuming crisps and dips follow the same hand luggage rules
Schiphol allows food in hand luggage, but has separate rules for liquid and spreadable food. A dip therefore needs a different check from a bag of crisps.
Check the hand luggage rules for dips or sauces separately before packing them.
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Automatically choosing the largest box
A box of 30 bags isn’t more practical if you only need a few during your trip. Albert Heijn also lists mixed boxes with 20 bags; the right quantity depends on your travel group.
Work out how many portions you want before buying, and consider whether you’ll use any leftover bags later.
A box that’s bigger than you need also takes up more space in your luggage.
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Confusing hand luggage rules with import rules
Being allowed to take crisps through the hand luggage checks when you depart doesn’t tell you which food rules apply at your destination.
Before you travel, check your destination’s official import rules, especially if you’re travelling outside the EU.
Brands and retailers to consider
Lay's
Albert Heijn lists Lay's mixed boxes with 20 and 30 individual bags. This size is worth considering if you want to share snacks with a group.
- The boxes listed include several snack varieties in individual portions.
- Check the ingredients for each variety; a mixed box doesn’t necessarily have one shared allergen profile.
Pringles
Albert Heijn lists an Original multipack of 12 individual 40 g tubes for anyone who wants to take one flavour.
- The individual tubes make it easy to share without choosing a selection of flavours.
- For the Original variety, check the current label for wheat, gluten and any mention of milk and soya.
Snack Day
Lidl Netherlands lists a retailer multipack with 15 bags of different types of crisps.
- The pack offers a selection of individual bags.
- Lidl lists the product as available in store only; check the current ingredients on the pack in store.
Smiths
Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks Barbecue and Paprika in 100 g bags. These are a different packaging option from pre-portioned multipacks.
- A larger bag could suit travellers who plan to share from one pack.
- If you share a bag, you’ll need to portion it out yourself and either carry the opened pack with you or finish it.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s product pages show both Lay's mixed boxes with 20 or 30 bags and Pringles Original 12 × 40 g.
- You can compare the listed quantities and pack sizes side by side.
- For ingredients and allergens, use the up-to-date information on the pack you buy.
Crisps multipacks at Joybuy
These packs are suited to taking individual snacks with you for the journey, putting them in a lunchbox or sharing with a travel group. Choose the number of portions and type of pack based on what you actually want to hand out.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 15 pieces
For travellers who want to share individual snacks and try a selection of flavours. The product name states that the pack contains 15 pieces; check the ingredients for each variety on the current packaging.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 pieces
For a group that wants to share individual portions and different snacks. The box contains 20 pieces; check the current label for the ingredients and allergens in each variety.
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Pringles Original, 12 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to hand out individual packs without choosing different flavours. This Original multipack contains 12 tubes of 40 g; if you have an allergy, check the current label, including for wheat and gluten.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A mix to consider if you want to share snacks with a small group. The pack is labelled as 180 g in total; before sharing, check the number of bags and the weight per bag on the packaging, and read the label if you have a soya allergy.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 12 pieces
For a group that wants to share individual snacks from a selection. The box is labelled as a 12-piece multipack; check the current packaging for the weight per bag and the ingredients in each variety.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take crisps in my hand luggage from Schiphol?
Yes. Schiphol says you can take food in your hand luggage. Check the hand luggage rules separately for liquid or spreadable items, such as a dip.
How do I choose a multipack for a family or small travel group?
Start with the number of bags you actually want to hand out. For example, Albert Heijn lists Lay's mixed boxes with 20 and 30 bags. As well as the quantity, check the flavour selection and ingredients for each variety.
How do I compare the nutritional values of different crisps?
Compare similar products using the nutritional information per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this basis because portion sizes can vary between packs. Then check the values that matter to you, such as salt or saturated fat.
Where can I find the allergens in a crisps multipack?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging and, for a mixed box, check each variety separately. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that any allergens required by law must be listed on the label.
Can I take the crisps to my destination too?
Check the food import rules for your specific destination before taking snacks with you. Being allowed to carry crisps in your hand luggage from Schiphol doesn’t mean you’re allowed to import food at your destination.