Flights to Mae Puem, Phayao from NT$2,587

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be testing. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a comfortable start to your vacation in Mae Puem. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an amazing travel experience is to pack in advance. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, bank cards and any vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic devices or a juicy novel. You'll also want to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, be sure to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a Swiss Army knife hiding in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive products, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane are no place for a fashion parade. Don comfortable layers and pick shoes that are flat and easy to take on and off.
• The result of sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect some passengers on long-distance flights. Reduce the risks by staying hydrated, keeping your legs moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be organized before you arrive at airport security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Mae Puem before you know it. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a fantastic start:

• First things first. Your ID and travel documents will need to be inspected by security personnel. Keep them someplace accessible to avoid fumbling around for them.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings like your jacket, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• Your electronic devices like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. Don't worry though, you'll be back online before you know it.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several precious minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them safely away in your checked baggage. They won't be allowed in the cabin.