Flights to Taipei, Taiwan from NT$2,383

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you've planned ahead. We've made a list of essential travel tips that will help get your Taipei escape started on the right foot.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a pain-free flight experience is to plan ahead. So, let's start with the basics: passport, official ID, bank cards and medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you busy, like some electronic devices or a few magazines. You'll also want to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, be sure to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked luggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) won't be allowed on. Pointed or sharp objects, like your precious Swiss Army knife, and products which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and matches, are also restricted.

What to wear on a flight:

• The long, narrow aisles of an aircraft are no fashion runway. Don comfortable layers and remember to bring a cardigan as it tends to get cool inside the cabin during longer flights. Flat, slightly roomy shoes are always a good idea too.
• Caused by sustained periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect passengers on long-distance flights. The good news is there are numerous ways to reduce your risk of developing it. Keep your fluids up, wander through the cabin as much as you can and wear compression socks to help improve your circulation.

Being prepared before you get to the airport will make your trip to Taipei easy and painless. Check out our useful tips for a stress-free journey past security:

• Security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings like your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic devices will also need to go through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hairspray, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear 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.
• Sharp items are not allowed on board. They'll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked baggage.