Flights to Chabaihu, Tianjin from NT$9,780

If you're not prepared, air travel can be testing. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips for a pain-free start to your time in Chabaihu. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a pain-free flight experience is to plan ahead. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic gadgets or a magazine. You'll also want to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Finally, don't forget to toss in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a pocket knife hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable substances, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by layering up, and wear flat, closed-toe shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

The trick is to be organized before you get to the security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Chabaihu in no time at all. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a great start:

• Be sure to keep your boarding pass and passport within close reach. They're the first things you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings such as your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronics must also go through the scanner.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• There's a good chance you'll be asked to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a clever idea.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, put them in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed in the cabin.