Cheap Flights to Alins from HK$355

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be testing. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a stress-free start to your time in Alins. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a great flight experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and daily medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you entertained, like your laptop or a thrilling book. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. And of course, be sure to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items can differ between air carriers, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, knives, spray paint and flares. Sports equipment like baseball bats, and objects that could harm passengers, such as firearms and swords, aren't allowed in the cabin either.

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by layering up, and pick slightly roomy, flat footwear like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to wander around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

The trick is to be prepared before you get to the security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Alins in no time at all. Follow these tips and get your holiday off to a terrific start:

• First things first. Your travel documents and ID will need to be presented to security personnel. Keep them at hand so you don't hold up the line.
• Your belt, coat, keys and other small items, like your headphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn.
• All your electronics, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine 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.
• Slip-on shoes are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Hiking boots and heavier-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked suitcase.