Flights to Sop Poeng, Mae Taeng from NT$2,668

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be a real challenge. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints for a pleasant start to your vacation in Sop Poeng. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a worry-free travel experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and important medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic gadgets or a few magazines. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Finally, don't forget to chuck in toiletries like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a spare change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) hiding in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable substances, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your aim is to be as comfortable as possible. Opt for easy-to-remove footwear, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and remember to take a jacket in case you get chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Wander around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some gentle exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

It's all about being prepared. We've compiled some helpful hints for a stress-free trip through airport security. Look out Sop Poeng, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to verify that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before anything else. Have them within easy reach, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items such as your belt, jacket and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronics will need to go through the scanner.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine 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-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects in your carry-on luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.