Flights to Castro Valley, Oakland from NT$3,042

We've got the lowdown on how to make your journey a pleasant experience. Follow our tips and tricks and you'll be zooming through the airport and having a ball in Castro Valley in no time.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's simple — first, pack in your passport, official ID, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you'll want some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A juicy book and a phone crammed with your favorite movies are always good options. If you intend to take a quick nap, a neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some deodorant so you'll touchdown looking fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable products, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The goal here is to feel as comfortable as you can. Layer up in natural-fiber clothing and bring a cardigan in case it gets cold in the cabin. Pick well-fitting, flat shoes as it's possible that your feet and ankles will swell a little during the journey. Leave the high heels and heavy hiking boots in your checked luggage.
• The condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation. Doing regular leg and foot exercises while seated is a great way to prevent this occurring. Wearing a high-quality pair of compression tights or socks is also a wise idea.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you arrive at security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Castro Valley in a flash. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• Keep your passport and travel documents close by. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to show at security.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your jacket, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets must also be sent through the scanner.
• Traveling with your favorite cologne or perfume? No problem. As long as the volume is no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it's stored in a clear zip-close bag, you're permitted to bring it with you in your carry-on 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. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, put them in your checked baggage. They won't be allowed on board.