Cheap Flights to Cuba from HK$178

If you're poorly prepared, travelling can be a real challenge. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a pain-free start to your time in Cuba. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be a great experience if you pack the right gear. First of all you'll need basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and hairbrush, a spare change of clothes and something to read. Secondly, find room in your bag for your phone, tablet and chargers, any medications and maybe a quality neck pillow as well. Lastly, and most importantly, remember to take your passport, travel documents and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Leave all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked luggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by authorities. Pointed or sharp objects, like your treasured pocket knife, and products which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and fireworks, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and choose shoes that are closed-toe, flat and easy to slip on and off.
• Most of us have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To lower your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks or tights and keep your feet and legs moving.

The answer is — be prepared. We've put together some top tips for an easy trip through airport security. Watch out Cuba, here you come:

• Have your passport and travel documents close by. They're the first items you'll be asked to present to security.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your coat, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, will also need to be scanned separately.
• Remember to remove 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 single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• There's a good chance you'll need to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a good idea.
• Sharp or pointed items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.