Flights to Shannan, Tibet from NT$10,397

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be daunting. But there's no need to worry. Follow these helpful hints for a comfortable start to your vacation in Shannan. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be easy if you carry the right things. First things first, you'll need basic toiletries, such as lip balm and hand cream, a spare pair of socks and a few magazines. Next, find room in your bag for your phone, tablet and chargers, your important medications and maybe a proper neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, don't forget to take your passport, travel documents and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of prohibited items differs between air carriers, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, pocket knives, aerosol cans and flares. Sporting equipment like ski poles, and objects that could harm other people, such as swords and batons, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for changes in cabin temperature by donning layers, and pick flat, easy-to-remove footwear like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

It's all about being prepared. We've put together some top tips for a speedy trip through security. Look out Shannan, here you come:

• Keep your passport and travel documents at hand. They're the first things you'll be asked to show at security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Items like your coat, belt and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, must also be separately scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to bring on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several precious minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed on board and will be confiscated.