Flights to Si Suk, Khueang Nai from NT$4,341

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be testing. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a trouble-free start to your getaway in Si Suk. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, pack in your passport, important documents, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A thrilling novel and a laptop crammed with your favorite shows are some terrific options. If you hope to take a short nap, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll arrive at your destination looking and feeling fresh.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a sharp object hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive products, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by dressing in layers, and pick flat, enclosed shoes like slip-ons.
• Caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers during long-haul flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your legs and ankles moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be organized before you reach airport security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Si Suk in next to no time. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a spectacular start:

• Your travel documents and passport will need to be shown to security personnel. Keep them handy so you don't hold up the queue.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Items such as your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• Your electronic gadgets like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine for inspection. Don't worry, you'll be back online in no time.
• Remember to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a good chance you'll need to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a good idea.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.