Flights to Beckenham, London from NT$17,101

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be a real challenge. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a hassle-free start to your time in Beckenham. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a stress-free travel experience is to pack in advance. Start with the essentials: passport, travel documents, credit cards and daily medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic gadgets or a good book. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Last but not least, don't forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a sharp object hiding in the bottom of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable products, such as fuel and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft aren't the place for a fashion parade. Layer your clothing and go for shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to slip on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be prepared before you reach the security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Beckenham in a flash. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a great start:

• Your ID and travel documents will need to be shown to airport security personnel. Have them close by so you don't hold up the queue.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Empty your pockets and remove anything metal that is likely to beep. This includes items like earphones or headphones, as well as heavy jackets or coats. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, tablet and any other electronics must also go through the scanner.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several valuable minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers are usually not.
• Pocket knives and other sharp items can't be taken on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked bags.