Flights to Amersham, England from NT$2,028

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be tough. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a comfortable start to your vacation in Amersham. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First, pack in your passport, official ID, credit cards and medications. Next, you'll need some entertainment to help pass the time. A juicy novel and a phone filled with your favorite shows are some terrific options. If you hope to catch forty winks, a neck pillow and some earplugs will also be useful. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some facial wipes to ensure you hop off the plane feeling fresh as a daisy.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items differs between air carriers, the general rule of thumb is avoid carrying anything flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes knives, scissors, fuel and fireworks. Sports equipment like hockey sticks, and objects that could injure passengers, such as firearms and swords, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main priority when choosing what to wear on board. Loose, breathable clothing is a smart option, as are flat, slightly roomy shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

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

• Security personnel first need to verify that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your jacket, belt, keys and other contents of your pockets, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn arrives.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your laptop, phone and any other electronics will also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often 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-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Boots and other heavy shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your carry-on baggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.