Flights to Pill, Tyrol from NT$4,512

If you're not prepared, air travel can be overwhelming. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks and enjoy a pain-free start to your getaway in Pill. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a great travel experience is to plan ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, official ID, credit cards and medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you occupied, like your laptop or a juicy novel. It's also wise to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, be sure to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by authorities. Pointed or sharp objects, like your treasured pocket knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as spray paint, flares and matches, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for changes in cabin temperature by wearing layers, and pick closed-toe, flat footwear like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It results from 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 answer is — be prepared. We've put together some handy tips and tricks for a speedy trip through security. Look out Pill, here you come:

• First things first. Your boarding pass and travel ID will need to be presented to airport security personnel. Have them close by so you don't have to dig around for them.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other items in your pocket, like your earphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All electronic devices, including your laptop and phone, must also be scanned separately.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• It's also possible you'll need to remove your shoes to be X-rayed, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a good idea.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked luggage.