Flights to Kalutara, Western Province from NT$11,018

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be tough. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips for a comfortable start to your getaway in Kalutara. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a great experience if you take the right things. First of all you'll need basic toiletries, such as lip balm and hand cream, a fresh set of clothes and something to read. Secondly, make room in your carry-on bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, any medications and perhaps a cozy neck pillow as well. Lastly, and most importantly, don't forget to take your passport, travel papers and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive products, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your top priority is to feel as comfortable as possible. Pick a pair of slip-on shoes, dress in loose, breathable clothing and don't forget to take a pullover in case you get chilly in the cabin.
• It's likely you've heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of sitting. To lower your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression tights or socks and move your legs and feet often.

The secret is to be well prepared before you get to the airport security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Kalutara in no time flat. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• Your boarding pass and passport will need to be shown to security personnel. Keep them within easy reach to avoid fumbling around for them.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, will also need to be scanned separately.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a 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. Big boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives to come on board with you. If you must bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked luggage.