Cheap Flights to Doha from HK$1,298

If you're not prepared, travelling can be tough. But there's no need to worry. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a trouble-free start to your time in Doha. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First things first, put in your passport, official ID, cash and medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a phone filled with your favourite shows are some wonderful options. If you hope to take a quick nap, a quality neck pillow and some noise-cancelling headphones will also be useful. Finally, find room for a toothbrush and some deodorant so you'll arrive feeling fresh as a daisy.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a sharp object lurking in the bottom of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable products, such as fuel and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main priority when choosing what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a sensible option, as are enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

A little pre-planning before your flight will make your trip to Doha easy and painless. Below are some handy tips for a swift journey past security:

• Security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them ready to show.
• The X-ray machine is up next. Remove anything on you that is likely to set off the scanner's alarm. This includes items like headphones or earphones, as well as heavy coats or jackets. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• All your electronics, including your laptop and phone, will also need to be scanned separately.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Sharp items like knives are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked baggage.