Flights to El Alamo, Madrid from NT$12,354

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be tough. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a worry-free start to your time in El Alamo. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be a cruisy experience if you've got all the right stuff. Firstly, you'll need basic toiletry items, such as deodorant and a toothbrush, a fresh set of clothes and a good book. Secondly, make room in your bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, your important medications and maybe a comfy neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, be sure to take your passport, travel papers and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated. Sharp objects, like your beloved pocket knife, and dangerous products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosols and strong acids, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to feel as comfortable as you can. Opt for easy-to-remove footwear, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and don't forget to take a pullover in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by extended periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Make a point of walking around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

A little pre-planning before your flight can make your getaway to El Alamo a pleasure. We've compiled some useful tips and tricks for a speedy journey past security:

• Security personnel first need to see that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before anything else. Keep them close by.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Empty your pockets and remove anything that is likely to beep. This includes items like headphones or earphones, as well as your coat or jacket. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• Electronic devices like laptops and phones will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. No need to worry though, you'll be back online before you know it.
• Any liquids or gels, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to bring on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp or pointed objects to come on board with you. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.