Cheap Flights to Sao Lourenco from HK$276

Depending on where you're coming from, your flight to Sao Lourenco could be completely painless or it could drag on forever. We've rounded up 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 worry-free travel experience is to plan ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and any vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic devices or a thrilling book. You'll also want to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. And of course, don't forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by security. Sharp objects, like your beloved Swiss Army knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as flares, bleaching agents and strong acids, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your number one priority when deciding what to wear during your flight. Loose clothing is a smart choice, as are enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

Being prepared before you arrive at the airport will make your trip to Sao Lourenco easy and painless. Check out our handy tips for a speedy journey past security:

• Security personnel first need to verify that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items like your belt, coat and headphones need to go through the machine.
• Your electronic gadgets like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine for inspection. No need to worry though, you'll be back online in no time.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• It's also likely that you'll be asked to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a good idea.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them safely away in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed in the cabin.