Cheap Flights to Hamburg from HK$1,296

If you're not prepared, air travel can be tough. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips for a pain-free start to your getaway in Hamburg. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, pack in your passport, travel docs, bank cards and medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A juicy book and a laptop crammed with your favourite shows are good options. If you intend to take a short nap, a neck pillow and some noise-cancelling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll arrive feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) hiding in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and choose shoes that are closed-toe, flat and easy to take on and off.
• Most travellers have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To minimize your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

The answer is simple — be organised. We've rounded up some tips and tricks for an easy trip through security. Watch out Hamburg, here you come:

• First things first. Your passport and travel documents will need to be presented to airport security. Keep them within easy reach to avoid fumbling around for them.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, must also be scanned separately.
• Don't forget to remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes are usually not.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them safely away in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed in the cabin.