Flights to Leyte, Eastern Visayas from NT$1,368

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be overwhelming. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks and enjoy a pleasant start to your getaway in Leyte. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, pack in your passport, travel docs, cash and medications. Next, you'll want some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy novel and a phone filled with your favorite movies are good options. If you hope to take a quick snooze, a neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, make room for a few toiletry items so you'll arrive feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items differs between air carriers, the general rule of thumb is nothing flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, blades, spray paint and flares. Sports equipment like ice skates, and items that could harm other people, such as swords and guns, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and choose shoes that are enclosed, flat and easy to remove.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

The answer is — be prepared. We've put together some helpful hints for a stress-free trip through security. Watch out Leyte, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to know that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other items in your pocket, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic devices will need to go through the scanner.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. 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 inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when going through security. Hiking boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.