Flights to Douglas, Admaston/Bromley from NT$8,297

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be testing. But there's no need to panic. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a worry-free start to your time in Douglas. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a hassle-free travel experience is to plan ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and important medications. Next, take on board items that'll help while away those hours, like your laptop or a juicy novel. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, be sure to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Leave all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Sharp or pointed objects, like a Swiss Army knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosols and fuels, are also restricted.

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to go for comfort over style. Prepare for changes in cabin temperature by donning layers, and opt for flat, closed-toe footwear like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

A little pre-planning before you get to the airport will help make your trip to Douglas a piece of cake. We've rounded up some handy hints for a speedy journey past security:

• First things first. Your boarding pass and passport will need to be shown to airport security. Keep them handy so you don't have to dig around for them.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Empty your pockets and remove anything metal that is likely to set off the alarm. This includes things like headphones or earphones, as well as bulky coats or jackets. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, are also required to be scanned separately.
• Any liquids or gels, such as hair oil or hand cream, 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), zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Big boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects to come on board with you. If you must bring these kinds of items, check them in.