Flights to Five Points, Alabama from NT$26,231

If you're not prepared, traveling can be tough. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a hassle-free start to your getaway in Five Points. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First things first, pack in your passport, travel docs, credit cards and medications. Next, you'll want some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling book and a laptop filled with your favorite shows are some wonderful options. If you intend to catch forty winks, a comfy neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, find room for a toothbrush and some deodorant so you'll step off the plane feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a sharp object lurking in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for changes in cabin temperature by donning layers, and opt for flat, enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• Caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers during long flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your legs and ankles moving and wearing compression socks to help your circulation.

Being organized before your flight can make your trip to Five Points a pleasure. We've rounded up some useful tips for a stress-free journey past security:

• Security personnel first need to see that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them in your hand, ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your coat, belt, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them as your turn draws near.
• Electronic devices like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. No need to worry though, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product 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 clever footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Hiking boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, check them in.