Flights to Choeng Thale, Phuket Province from NT$1,766

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be daunting. But there's no need to panic. Follow these handy tips for a comfortable start to your time in Choeng Thale.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a stress-free flight experience is to be prepared. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, credit cards and vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you entertained, like your laptop or a thrilling novel. You'll also want to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Finally, don't forget to toss in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a pocket knife lurking in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable substances, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort really should be your priority when picking what to wear during your flight. Consider your choice of footwear with care too, as swollen feet and ankles are a common side effect of flying. Roomy, closed-toed shoes are your best bet.
• The condition known as DVT (deep vein thrombosis) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clots forming due to poor circulation and inactivity. Doing regular foot and leg exercises in your seat is a great way to prevent this from happening. Wearing a pair of compression socks or tights also helps reduce your risk.

The secret is to be well organized before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Choeng Thale in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• Security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them ready to show.
• The X-ray machine comes next. Remove anything on you that is likely to set off the scanner's alarm. This includes things like earphones or headphones, as well as heavy jackets or coats. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• Electronic devices like phones and laptops will also have to go on a tray for inspection. Don't worry, you'll be back online in no time.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• It's also likely that you'll need to remove your shoes for scanning, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a good idea.
• Airlines won't allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in the cabin. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.