Flights to Crosby, Houston from NT$8,151

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be testing. But there's no need to panic. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a trouble-free start to your vacation in Crosby. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a pain-free flight experience is to pack ahead. So, let's start with the basics: passport, boarding pass, cash and medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a juicy novel. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Last but not least, be sure to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, facial 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 Swiss Army knife hiding in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive products, such as bleach and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by wearing layers, and pick flat, enclosed shoes like slip-ons.
• It's likely you've heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To minimize your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and move your legs and feet often.

Being prepared before you arrive at the airport will make your trip to Crosby easy and painless. We've rounded up some handy tips for a speedy journey through security:

• Airport security personnel first need to check that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your jacket, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like coins, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them as your turn draws near.
• All your electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Remember to remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• There's a chance you'll be required to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers 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 luggage. They won't be allowed on board.