Cheap Flights to Venice from HK$1,017

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be a real challenge. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks for a trouble-free start to your getaway in Venice. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a hassle-free flight experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, official ID, bank cards and any vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a good book. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of headphones. And of course, be sure to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items can differ between air carriers, the general rule to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes tools, metal cutlery, aerosol cans and flares. Sports equipment like hockey sticks, and objects that could injure passengers, such as pepper spray and firearms, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane are no place for a fashion parade. Dress in comfortable layers and opt for shoes that are flat and easy to pull on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

A little pre-planning before you arrive at the airport will help make your getaway to Venice easy and painless. Here are some useful tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• Keep your boarding pass and passport handy. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to present to security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings like your coat, belt and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, will also need to be scanned separately.
• Remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a chance you'll need to remove your shoes to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a smart idea.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, pack them safely away in your checked baggage. They won't be allowed on board and will be confiscated.