Flights to Salvador, from NT$8,150

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be tough. But there's no need to worry. Follow these tips and tricks for a pain-free start to your time in Salvador. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, pack your passport, important documents, credit cards and vital medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy novel and a tablet filled with your favorite shows are always good options. If you hope to catch a few z's, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, squeeze in a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you arrive at your destination feeling fresh as a daisy.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items can differ between air carriers, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes screwdrivers, pocket knives, spray paint and fireworks. Sporting equipment like hockey sticks, and objects that could harm other people, such as pepper spray and firearms, aren't allowed in the cabin either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your main aim is to feel as comfortable as possible. Pick shoes that are easy to pull on and off, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and don't forget to bring a jacket in case you get chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

The secret is to be organized before you get to security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Salvador in the blink of an eye. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a fantastic start:

• Airport security personnel first need to check that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings such as your belt, coat and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your laptop, phone and any other electronics must also be sent through the scanner.
• Remember to remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a good chance you'll be asked to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your carry-on luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, check them in.