Flights to Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture from NT$5,154

If you're not prepared, air travel can be tough. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy hints for a hassle-free start to your getaway in Komatsu. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be easy if you pack the right things. Firstly, you'll want a few toiletry items, such as deodorant and a toothbrush, a spare change of clothes and a good book. Next, leave space in your hand luggage for your phone, tablet and chargers, medications and perhaps a quality neck pillow as well. Lastly, and most importantly, remember to take your passport, travel papers and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a sharp object hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable substances, such as bleach and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your highest priority when choosing what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a sensible choice, as are flat, slip-on shoes.
• The result of lengthy periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect some passengers during long flights. Reduce the risks by drinking water, keeping your feet and legs moving and wearing compression socks or tights.

The answer is — be prepared. We've pulled together some top tips for a fuss-free trip through security. Watch out Komatsu, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before you're allowed to proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your jacket, belt and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronics will need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• There's a chance you'll need to remove your shoes to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a smart idea.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects in your carry-on luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked baggage.