Flights to Haragama, Soma from NT$2,683

If you're not prepared, air travel can be daunting. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks and enjoy a comfortable start to your getaway in Haragama. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a great travel experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and any vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic devices or a juicy novel. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Finally, be sure to chuck in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant 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 luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Sharp or pointed objects, like your trusty Swiss Army knife, and dangerous products which are explosive or flammable, such as flares, bleaching agents and strong acids, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and pick shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to pull on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clots forming due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

The secret is to be well prepared before you arrive at airport security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Haragama in a flash. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a flying start:

• Airport security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them within easy reach, ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other small items, like your earphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them as your turn draws near.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic devices must also go through the scanner.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually 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.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp or pointed items are not allowed on board. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked luggage.