Flights to Philipsburg, Sint Maarten from NT$18,871

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be a real challenge. But there's no need to worry. Follow these helpful hints for a pain-free start to your getaway in Philipsburg. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, pack your passport, important documents, bank cards and medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A thrilling novel and a phone crammed with your favorite movies are some fantastic options. If you plan to take a short nap, a comfy neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, squeeze in a few toiletry items so you'll step off the plane feeling fresh as a daisy.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) lurking in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, such as fuel and matches, 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 choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by layering up, and opt for flat, closed-toe shoes like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

The trick is to be organized before you arrive at the airport security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Philipsburg in the blink of an eye. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a flying start:

• Be sure to keep your ID and boarding pass someplace easily accessible. They're the first things you'll be asked for by airport security.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your earphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn.
• All your electronics, including your phone and laptop, must also be scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hairspray, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you valuable minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes are usually not.
• Sharp items like knives are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked baggage.