Flights to Mae Nam, Koh Samui from NT$9,252

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be tough. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a pleasant start to your getaway in Mae Nam. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's easy — first, pack in your passport, travel documents, cash and vital medications. Next, you'll want some in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A juicy book and a phone crammed with your favorite movies are always good options. If you intend to take a short snooze, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some deodorant to ensure you step off the plane looking and feeling fresh.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Sharp objects, like your Swiss Army knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as spray paint, flares and strong acids, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and go for shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to slip on and off.
• You're probably aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of sitting. To lower your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

A little pre-planning before you arrive at the airport can make your getaway to Mae Nam easy and painless. We've rounded up some top tips for a swift journey through security:

• Your passport and travel documents will need to be shown to security personnel. Keep them someplace accessible so you don't hold up the queue.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items such as your jacket, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronics, including your laptop and phone, must also be scanned separately.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, 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 required to remove them when passing through security. Hiking boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked baggage.