Cheap Flights to Santa Barbara from HK$727

If you're not prepared, travelling can be tough. But there's no need to worry. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a stress-free start to your getaway in Santa Barbara. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a cruisy experience if you bring the right stuff. First of all you'll need basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and some deodorant, a fresh set of clothes and a good book. Secondly, make room in your bag for your laptop, a charger, your important medications and maybe a comfy neck pillow too. Last, but definitely not least, remember to bring your passport, travel docs and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by security. Pointed or sharp objects, like your Swiss Army knife, and dangerous products which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosols and fireworks, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane are no place for a fashion parade. Dress in comfortable layers and go for shoes that are closed-toe, flat and easy to slip on and off.
• The result of sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect some passengers on long-haul flights. Reduce the risks by staying hydrated, keeping your ankles and legs moving and wearing compression socks to help improve your circulation.

The secret is to be well organised before you get to security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Santa Barbara in no time flat. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a flying start:

• Security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings like your belt, jacket and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp or pointed objects in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.