Flights to Waterhouses, Durham from NT$12,425

If you're not prepared, air travel can be testing. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a trouble-free start to your getaway in Waterhouses. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a great experience if you take the right stuff. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletry items, such as lip balm and hand cream, a clean set of clothes and something to read. Next, find room in your hand luggage for your phone and charger, medications and maybe a quality neck pillow too. Last, but definitely not least, remember to take your passport, travel documents and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items can differ between air carriers, the general rule to follow is nothing flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, pocket knives, spray paint and flares. Sporting equipment like golf clubs, and items that could injure passengers, such as swords and guns, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your top priority is to be as comfortable as possible. Choose a pair of slip-on shoes, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and don't forget to take a sweater in case you get cold in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

The answer is — be prepared. We've pulled together some tips and tricks for a speedy trip through security. Watch out Waterhouses, here you come:

• Your travel documents and ID will need to be shown to security personnel. Keep them at hand so you don't hold up the line.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other small items, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets must also be sent through the scanner.
• Remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray 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-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed in the cabin.