Flights to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina from NT$9,390

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be a real challenge. But there's no need to panic. Follow these tips and tricks and enjoy a stress-free start to your time in Mount Pleasant. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a great experience if you take the right gear. First of all you'll need basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and hairbrush, a clean pair of socks and a magazine or two. Next, make room in your bag for your laptop, a charger, any daily medications and maybe a proper neck pillow as well. Lastly, remember to bring your passport, travel documents and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a Swiss Army knife hiding in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable substances, such as bleach and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by layering up, and opt for flat, slightly roomy shoes like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some gentle exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be prepared before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Mount Pleasant in no time flat. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a flying start:

• Be sure to have your ID and travel documents at hand. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, coat, keys and other items in your pocket, like your earphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn arrives.
• All electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, must also be separately scanned.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner 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-close bag.
• It's also likely that you'll be required to remove your shoes for scanning, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, put them in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed on board and will be confiscated.