Flights to Houston, Indiana from NT$9,640

If you're poorly prepared, traveling can be testing. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks for a trouble-free start to your getaway in Houston. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First things first, put in your passport, travel documents, wallet and daily medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a phone crammed with your favorite movies are some great options. If you intend to take a quick nap, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some deodorant to ensure you arrive feeling fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable substances, such as fuel and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your top priority when deciding what to wear on your flight. Loose clothing is a wise choice, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• 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 arrive at the airport can make your getaway to Houston a piece of cake. Below are some useful tips and tricks for a stress-free journey through security:

• Keep your travel documents and passport easily accessible. They're the first things you'll be asked for by security.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Items like your belt, coat and headphones need to go through the machine.
• Your electronic devices like phones and laptops will also need to go on a tray for inspection. Don't worry though, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• It's also possible you'll be required to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a wise idea.
• Knives and other sharp items are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked suitcase.