Cheap Flights to Ringwood from HK$3,974

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be daunting. But there's no need to panic. Follow these tips and tricks and enjoy a pain-free start to your getaway in Ringwood. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a pain-free travel experience is to pack in advance. Start with the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and important medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you entertained, like your laptop or a juicy novel. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Finally, don't forget to toss in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a pocket knife lurking in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable substances, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to be as comfortable as you can. Pick flat, closed-toe shoes, dress in loose, natural-fibre clothing and don't forget to take a pullover in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some gentle exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

As savvy travellers know, the secret is to be organised before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Ringwood in no time flat. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a spectacular start:

• Be sure to have your passport and boarding pass handy. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to show at airport security.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings like your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• Your electronic devices like laptops and phones will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. Don't worry though, you'll be back online in no time.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to take on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several precious minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Pocket knives and other sharp items can't be taken on board. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked luggage.