Flights to East Gull Lake, Brainerd from NT$9,120

If you're not prepared, air travel can be daunting. But there's no need to worry. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a pain-free start to your vacation in East Gull Lake. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an amazing flight experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, bank cards and daily medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you busy, like your laptop or a juicy novel. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Finally, be sure to chuck in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a sharp object hiding in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, such as fuel and matches, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by dressing in layers, and opt for slightly roomy, flat footwear like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

The answer is simple — be prepared. We've compiled some helpful hints for a hassle-free trip through security. Watch out East Gull Lake, here you come:

• Be sure to have your passport and travel documents within easy reach. They're the first items you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Empty your pockets and remove anything metal that is likely to set off the alarm. This includes things 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 technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronics also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove all liquids and gels 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-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers 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 usually subjected to extra screening.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, put them in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed on board.