Flights to Mae Rim, Chiang Mai Province from NT$2,154

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be daunting. But there's no need to panic. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a comfortable start to your getaway in Mae Rim. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, pack in your passport, important documents, wallet and daily medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A juicy book and a laptop crammed with your favorite movies are some great options. If you hope to take a quick snooze, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, squeeze in a toothbrush and some facial wipes to ensure you arrive looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hairspray in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) won't be allowed on. Pointed or sharp objects, like a Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosols and fireworks, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your main priority is to be as comfortable as possible. Pick slip-on footwear, dress in loose, breathable clothing and remember to bring a sweater in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by extended periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

The trick is to be organized before you arrive at airport security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Mae Rim in no time at all. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• Security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other small items, like coins, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All your electronics, including your phone and tablet, are also required to be scanned.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single 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 passing through security. Safety boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp items like knives are not allowed on board. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked luggage.