Flights to Mae Kon, Chiang Rai from NT$1,226

If you're not prepared, air travel can be tough. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a pleasant start to your getaway in Mae Kon. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having an awesome travel experience is to be prepared. Start with the essentials: passport, travel documents, bank cards and medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a juicy novel. It's also wise to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Last but not least, don't forget to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive goods, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your top priority is to be as comfortable as possible. Pick flat, closed-toe shoes, dress in loose, breathable clothing and remember to bring a sweater in case you get chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, 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 tips and tricks for a hassle-free trip through security. Look out Mae Kon, here you come:

• Be sure to have your passport and boarding pass someplace easily accessible. They're the first things you'll be asked to show at airport security.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them before your turn arrives.
• All electronic gadgets, including your tablet and phone, will also need to be scanned separately.
• 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). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when going through security. Big boots and other heavy-style shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Knives and other sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.