Cheap Flights to Isla de Utila from HK$1,187

Depending on where you're coming from, your journey to Isla de Utila could be a piece of cake or it could drag on forever. Here are some handy travel tips that will help you start your next great adventure on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a hassle-free travel experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and any vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you occupied, like your laptop or a few magazines. You'll also want to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. And of course, be sure to chuck in toiletries like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked baggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by authorities. Sharp or pointed objects, like your beloved pocket knife, and dangerous products which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, flares and fireworks, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft aren't the place for a fashion parade. Dress in comfortable layers and pick shoes that are flat and easy to take on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Walk around the cabin and give your legs a stretch or do some gentle exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

As seasoned travellers know, the secret is to be organised before you get to the security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Isla de Utila before you know it. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a flying start:

• Keep your passport and travel documents easily accessible. They're the first items you'll be asked to show at security.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them as your turn draws near.
• Electronic devices like phones and laptops will also need to go on a tray to be scanned. Don't worry, you'll be back online before you know it.
• Can't travel without your favourite hand and nail cream? As long as it's in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and it's stored in a zip-close bag, you're permitted to bring it with you in your carry-on bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Big boots and heavier-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Sharp items like knives are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked luggage.