Flights to Elephant Hill, Canterbury from NT$7,351

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be challenging. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy tips for a pain-free start to your vacation in Elephant Hill. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a stress-free flight experience is to pack in advance. So, let's start with the basics: passport, boarding pass, cash and vital medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic gadgets or a magazine. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Finally, don't forget to toss in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a spare change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by authorities. Sharp objects, like your treasured Swiss Army knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosols and strong acids, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Don comfortable layers and choose shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to remove.
• Most travelers are aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of sitting. To reduce your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks and keep your feet and legs moving.

The answer is simple — be prepared. We've put together some top tips for a hassle-free trip through airport security. Look out Elephant Hill, here you come:

• Be sure to have your ID and boarding pass within close reach. They're the first items you'll be asked to present to security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings like your belt, jacket and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, must also be scanned separately.
• Any gels or liquids, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to bring on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.