Flights to Salem, Tamil Nadu from NT$2,297

If you're not prepared, air travel can be challenging. But there's no need to panic. Follow these helpful hints for a comfortable start to your vacation in Salem. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a great flight experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, credit cards and any vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you busy, like your laptop or a magazine. It's also wise to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Finally, be sure to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive products, such as fuel and matches, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your number one priority when choosing what to wear on board. Loose, breathable clothing is a sensible choice, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin or do some simple exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

The answer is simple — be prepared. We've rounded up some tips and tricks for an easy trip through airport security. Watch out Salem, here you come:

• Be sure to keep your passport and travel documents within easy reach. They're the first items you'll be asked to show at security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items such as your belt, coat and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and tablet, are also required to be scanned.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray 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.
• There's a good chance you'll be asked to remove your shoes to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a wise idea.
• Sharp or pointed items are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked baggage.