Flights to Barrika, Bilbao from NT$2,720

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be overwhelming. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a worry-free start to your getaway in Barrika. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a stress-free travel experience is to be prepared. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and daily medications. Next, take on board items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic gadgets or a magazine. You'll also want to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. And of course, be sure to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a spare change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a sharp object lurking in your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable products, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your highest priority when choosing what to wear on your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a sensible option, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• The result of prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect passengers on long-distance flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your legs and ankles moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

Being organized before you arrive at the airport will help make your trip to Barrika quick and painless. Check out our useful tips for a swift journey past security:

• Be sure to keep your passport and boarding pass within easy reach. They're the first things you'll be asked for by security.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your coat, belt, keys and other small items, like your earphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn.
• All electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, must also be separately scanned.
• Any liquids or gels, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Hiking boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp or pointed objects to come on board with you. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked luggage.