Cheap Flights to St. Albans from HK$1,166

If you're poorly prepared, travelling can be tough. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a hassle-free start to your time in St. Albans. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a hassle-free flight experience is to pack in advance. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, credit cards and vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic gadgets or a juicy novel. It's also wise to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Finally, be sure to chuck in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean T-shirt.

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 banned items include explosive or flammable products, such as bleach and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by donning layers, and wear flat, enclosed footwear like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

The answer is simple — be prepared. We've pulled together some handy tips and tricks for an easy trip through airport security. Look out St. Albans, here you come:

• First things first. Your passport and travel documents will need to be shown to airport security. Have them easily accessible so you don't hold up the line.
• The X-ray machine comes next. Remove anything on you that is likely to set off the alarm. This includes items like headphones or earphones, as well as heavy coats or jackets. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic devices must also go through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several precious minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed on board.