Flights to Malé, Kaafu Atoll from NT$7,360

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be testing. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy tips for a trouble-free start to your vacation in Malé.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a pain-free flight experience is to be prepared. First up, the essentials: passport, travel documents, credit cards and important medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you busy, like some electronic devices or a magazine. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Last but not least, don't forget to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of prohibited items differs between air carriers, the general rule of thumb is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes knives, scissors, aerosol cans and flares. Sporting equipment like ski poles, and objects that could harm passengers, such as firearms and ammunition, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your prime concern when selecting what to wear during your flight. Consider your footwear choice carefully too, as swelling of the feet and ankles are quite common. Flat shoes which are slightly roomy work well.
• Unfortunately, a risk of long-distance travel is developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clot condition caused by extended periods of inactivity. To prevent this from happening, take every opportunity to walk around and give your legs a stretch. Compression socks and tights are another great idea to help lower your risk.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you get to security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Malé in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• Security personnel first need to check that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them within easy reach, ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, coat, keys and other small items, like your headphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn arrives.
• All electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be scanned separately.
• Traveling with your favorite perfume or cologne? No problem. As long as the volume is no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it's stored in a zip-lock bag, you're allowed to bring it with you in your carry-on baggage.
• Lightweight sneakers are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when going through security. Hiking boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives to come on board with you. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.