Flights to Suihua, Heilongjiang from NT$5,406

If you're poorly prepared, traveling can be a real challenge. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a stress-free start to your getaway in Suihua. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's simple — first, pack in your passport, travel docs, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A juicy novel and a phone filled with your favorite movies are always good options. If you plan to catch up on some sleep, a comfy neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, squeeze in a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you arrive feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

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

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to be as comfortable as possible. Go for shoes that are easy to slip on and off, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and remember to bring a jacket in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

The answer is simple — be prepared. We've pulled together some helpful hints for a speedy trip through airport security. Watch out Suihua, here you come:

• Keep your travel documents and passport within easy reach. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to present to security.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic gadgets also need to go through the scanner.
• Want to bring along your favorite hand and nail cream? No problem. As long as it's in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it's stored in a clear zip-lock bag, it's OK to bring with you on board.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several precious minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp or pointed objects in the cabin. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.