Cheap Flights to Santa Clara from HK$2,351

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be daunting. But there's no need to panic. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a stress-free start to your holiday in Santa Clara. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a pain-free flight experience is to be prepared. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you entertained, like your laptop or a thrilling book. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Last but not least, don't forget to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a fresh set of clothes.

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 the bottom of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable substances, such as bleach and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for changes in cabin temperature by wearing layers, and opt for closed-toe, flat footwear like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

Being organised before you get to the airport will make your getaway to Santa Clara a breeze. We've rounded up some useful tips and tricks for a speedy journey past security:

• Your ID and travel documents will need to be inspected by airport security personnel. Keep them handy so you don't hold up the queue.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings like your belt, jacket and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All electronic gadgets, including your tablet and phone, will also need to be scanned separately.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or hand cream, that you want to take on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you a few precious minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Sharp items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked luggage.