Cheap Flights to San Francisco from HK$3,680

We've rounded up all the info you need to make your journey as pain-free as possible. Follow our tips and you'll be breezing through airport security and exploring San Francisco before you know it. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Flying can be easy if you take the right stuff. Firstly, you'll need basic toiletries, such as deodorant and a toothbrush, a fresh set of clothes and a good novel. Secondly, leave space in your carry-on bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, your medications and perhaps a neck pillow too. Lastly, don't forget to bring your passport, travel papers and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Leave 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. Sharp objects, like your precious Swiss Army knife, and dangerous products which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, flares and fuels, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane are no place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfortable clothing and go for shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to remove.
• The result of prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers during long flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your legs moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

Being prepared before your flight can make your getaway to San Francisco a pleasure. Below you'll find some useful tips for a speedy journey past security:

• Your boarding pass and passport will need to be presented to airport security. Have them close by so you don't hold up the queue.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Items such as your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, are also required to be scanned separately.
• Don't forget to remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when going through security. Boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp or pointed objects to come on board with you. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.