Cheap Flights to Portrush from HK$3,577

If you're poorly prepared, travelling can be overwhelming. But there's no need to worry. Follow these helpful hints for a pleasant start to your getaway in Portrush. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Firstly, and most importantly, pack your passport, official ID, cash and vital medications. Next, you'll need some entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a laptop crammed with your favourite shows are always good options. If you hope to catch forty winks, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some deodorant so you'll touchdown looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items can differ between airlines, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes knives, scissors, spray paint and flares. Sporting equipment like ice skates, and objects that could harm other people, such as swords and batons, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your aim here is to feel as comfortable as possible. Go for a pair of flat, closed-toe shoes, dress in loose, natural fibers and remember to take a pullover 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. Try to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some gentle exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

Being organised before you arrive at the airport can make your getaway to Portrush a pleasure. We've compiled some useful tips for a speedy journey through security:

• Security personnel first need to check that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them ready to show.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your belt, jacket and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets must also be sent through the scanner.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other heavy shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects to come on board with you. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.