Cheap Flights to Mountain View from HK$2,493

If you're poorly prepared, travelling can be tough. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a pleasant start to your holiday in Mountain View. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be easy if you take the right gear. First things first, you'll need toiletry items, such as toothpaste, a toothbrush and some deodorant, a spare change of clothes and a few magazines. Secondly, leave space in your bag for your phone and charger, any medications and perhaps a blow-up neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, remember to take your passport, travel docs and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated. Sharp or pointed objects, like your beloved Swiss Army knife, and dangerous products which are explosive or flammable, such as spray paint, flares and fireworks, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to go for comfort over style. Prepare for changes in temperature by layering up, and wear flat, enclosed shoes like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin or do some simple exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

The secret is to be organised before you get to the security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Mountain View in next to no time. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a fantastic start:

• Have your travel documents and ID at hand. They're the first things you'll be asked to show at security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronics, including your laptop and phone, will also need to be separately scanned.
• Travelling with your favourite perfume or cologne? No problem. As long as it's in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and it's stored in a zip-lock bag, you can bring it with you in your carry-on bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Hiking boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your carry-on baggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.