Flights to Gold River, Sacramento from NT$12,184

If you're not prepared, air travel can be overwhelming. But there's no need to panic. Follow these tips and tricks for a worry-free start to your vacation in Gold River. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a great travel experience is to be prepared. First up, the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and important medications. Next, bring items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic devices or a few magazines. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. And of course, don't forget to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a spare change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a pocket knife hiding in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, such as bleach and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by wearing layers, and wear flat, slightly roomy shoes like sneakers.
• Caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect passengers on long-haul flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your legs and feet moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

The trick is to be well prepared before you reach the airport security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Gold River in a flash. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a spectacular start:

• Be sure to have your boarding pass and passport someplace easily accessible. They're the first items you'll be asked to present to security.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other small items, like your earphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as your turn draws near.
• All electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be scanned separately.
• Remove liquids and gels 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 inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them in your checked baggage. They won't be allowed on board.