Cheap Flights to West Melbourne from HK$497

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you're well prepared. We've compiled a list of handy tips and tricks that will help get your West Melbourne escape started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a worry-free travel experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, travel documents, bank cards and any vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic devices or a good book. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Last but not least, be sure to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive substances, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfy clothing and opt for shoes that are flat, enclosed and easy to slip on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

The answer is simple — be organised. We've put together some useful tips for a stress-free trip through airport security. Look out West Melbourne, here you come:

• Be sure to keep your boarding pass and ID handy. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings like your jacket, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronics must also be sent through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to bring 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.
• It's also possible you'll need to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a wise idea.
• Sharp items can't be taken on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked baggage.